40% of hiring managers are not trained in handling the hiring process

Key decision-makers remain under-supported in the recruitment process, warns recruitment specialist Robert Walters.

Companies invest millions in employer branding, assessment tools and HR technology. But the people who ultimately make the decisions – the hiring managers – often receive no support whatsoever. Research by Robert Walters shows that 40% of them have never received formal interview training.

Managing the hiring process is a skill.  

“The way you conduct a job interview can favour or disadvantage candidates and potentially impact the quality of your recruitment,” says Tom Lakin, Global Head Future of Work Advisory at Robert Walters.

The toll of bad hires

The lack of training for hiring managers not only affects the candidate experience, but also the organisation itself. Research shows that 80% of staff turnover is due to poor recruitment (source: Forbes). A wrong hire can lead to high replacement costs, reputational damage, tensions within the team and loss of productivity.  

Bias and unconscious errors in interviews

Another major risk is bias in the recruitment process. Hiring managers who are not trained in objective interview techniques may be unconsciously influenced by factors such as:

• Affinity bias: The tendency to prefer candidates who are similar to them (e.g. same hobbies or background).

• Halo effect: A positive characteristic overshadows other aspects, resulting in an unbalanced judgement.

• Confirmation bias: Managers look for answers that confirm their first impression, rather than critically evaluating them.

“Most people obviously don’t intend to allow bias to influence their decisions,” explains Lakin. “But without training, it’s difficult to avoid these pitfalls – it’s often a case of ‘innocent ignorance’. Given the high cost of hiring the wrong person, it is essential to be aware of the potential biases that can creep into the recruitment process. An inclusive recruitment process will ultimately improve the quality of hires across the entire organisation.”

Our free guide "The Complete Interview Guide for Hiring Managers" offers concrete tips for conducting job interviews – from preparing questions to avoiding bias.