“HR Heretics” | How CPOs, CHROs, Founders, and Boards Build High Performing Companies

How Back Channels Really Shape Hiring Decisions

Aug 20, 2024

23:06

Snipd AI

The discussion centers around the practice of back channels in hiring, revealing how they can impact candidate evaluations. There's a strong emphasis on transparency and ethics, urging candidates to be informed about these processes. Anecdotes highlight the importance of timing and context in gathering insights. The conversation addresses biases in hiring, particularly how homogeneity influences decisions, and calls for a more nuanced approach to candidate assessment.

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Quick takeaways

Back channels can provide valuable, candid insights on candidates but may also introduce biases that need careful consideration.

The timing and transparency of back channeling in the hiring process are essential for ensuring fair evaluations and candidate engagement.

Deep dives

Understanding Back Channels

Back channels refer to informal reference checks on candidates that hiring managers conduct outside of the official reference process. This method allows recruiters to gather honest and often constructive feedback on candidates that they might not receive from traditional references provided by the candidates themselves. It highlights the imperfections of the interview process, where candidates tend to choose references that will vouch for them positively. However, while back channels can provide valuable insights, they also come with risks, particularly concerning biases and perceptions that may be outdated or contextually flawed.

Transparency Builds Trust

00:32

Embrace Change: Overcome First Impressions

00:30

Intro

3min

Navigating Back-Channeling in Hiring

5min

Enhancing Workforce Strategies

6min

Navigating Back Channel Hiring Biases

7min

The Impact of Homogeneity in Hiring Decisions

2min

In this HR Heretics segment, Nolan and Kelli talk about "back channels" in the hiring process.

They dive deep into this controversial practice and how back channels can impact candidate selection, emphasizing the need for a thoughtful, mature approach that considers the full context of a candidate's experience and potential.

*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: hrheretics@turpentine.co

HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.

Support HR Heretics Sponsors:

Planful empowers teams just like yours to unlock the secrets of successful workforce planning. Use data-driven insights to develop accurate forecasts, close hiring gaps, and adjust talent acquisition plans collaboratively based on costs today and into the future. ✍️ Go to http://planful.com/heretics to see how you can transform your HR strategy.

Discover Workvivo, Zoom’s employee experience platform, designed to delight your hybrid workforce. With dynamic and intuitive features people actually like using, Workvivo fosters a sense of belonging and boosts retention and productivity. Join Ryanair, Dollar General, and Virgin — head to https://bit.ly/hrhereticsworkvivo to book a demo (tell them Kelli and Nolan sent you).

Metaview is the AI assistant for interviewing. Metaview completely removes the need for recruiters and hiring managers to take notes during interviews—because their AI is designed to take world-class interview notes for you. Team builders at companies like Brex, Hellofresh, and Quora say Metaview has changed the game—see the magic for yourself: https://www.metaview.ai/heretics

KEEP UP WITH NOLAN, + KELLI ON LINKEDIN

Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/

Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) - Intro

(00:54) - Defining back channels as "underground mafia" of feedback

(01:52) - The right way to do back channeling

(03:03) - Maturity in back channeling conversations

(04:12) - When to do back channeling

(05:43) - Avoiding the "back channeling frenzy"

(06:42) - Timing of back channeling in the hiring process

(07:55) - Sponsors - Planful | Workvivo

(10:48) - How to properly conduct a back channel inquiry

(12:04) - Sponsor - Metaview

(13:40) - Typical back channel communication methods

(14:50) - Real example of a nuanced back channel situation

(15:59) - The "family reunion" analogy for bias in back channels

(17:18) - Importance of considering human growth in back channels

(18:31) - Handling negative back channel feedback

(20:05) - Using back channel feedback as a litmus test for candidates

(20:53) - Criticism of board members' approach to back channels

(21:51) - Shallowness in high-level back channel feedback

(22:45) - Wrap

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

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