--- title: The Role of Psychology in Hiring description: To understand the phenomenon of hiring psychology, let’s look at the tactics that your organization, and other well-known companies, may be employing. image: https://blog.hiringthing.com/hubfs/psychology-hiring-interviewing.jpg --- [![HiringThing-Teal-Green](https://blog.hiringthing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Graphic%20Elements/Logos/HiringThing-Teal-Green.png?width=1686&height=270&name=HiringThing-Teal-Green.png "HiringThing-Teal-Green")](https://hiringthing.com) Open main menu Close main menu - [Blog](https://blog.hiringthing.com/) - Platform Open the submenu - Products Open the submenu - [Applicant Tracking](https://www.hiringthing.com/white-label/applicant-tracking-system/) - [Employee Onboarding](https://www.hiringthing.com/white-label/employee-onboarding/) - [Workflow Management](https://www.hiringthing.com/white-label/workflow-management/) - Overview Open the submenu - [White Label](https://www.hiringthing.com/white-label/) - [Partner Experience](https://www.hiringthing.com/partner-experience/) - [Developers](https://www.hiringthing.com/developers/) - [Integrations](https://www.hiringthing.com/integrations/) - [Security](https://www.hiringthing.com/security/) - Solutions Open the submenu - Industries Open the submenu - [HR Technology](https://www.hiringthing.com/white-label/hr-technology/) - [PEO & ASO](https://www.hiringthing.com/white-label/hr-organizations/) - [HR Consulting](https://www.hiringthing.com/white-label/hr-consulting/) - [Staffing](https://www.hiringthing.com/white-label/staffing/) - [Construction Software](https://www.hiringthing.com/white-label/construction/) - [Franchise](https://www.hiringthing.com/white-label/franchise/) - [Associations](https://www.hiringthing.com/white-label/associations/) - Company Open the submenu - [About Us](https://www.hiringthing.com/company/) - [Careers](https://careers.hiringthing.com/) - Compare HiringThing Open the submenu - [HiringThing vs. JazzHR](https://www.hiringthing.com/hiringthing-vs-jazzhr/) - [HiringThing vs. ICIMS](https://www.hiringthing.com/hiringthing-vs-icims/) - [HiringThing vs. GoHire](https://www.hiringthing.com/hiringthing-vs-gohire/) - [Press](https://www.hiringthing.com/company/press/) - [Contact Us](https://www.hiringthing.com/company/contact-us/) - Log In Open the submenu - [Applicant Tracking](https://login.hiringthing.com/users/login) - [Employee Onboarding](https://app.hiringthing-onboarding.com/signup) - [GET STARTED](https://www.hiringthing.com/private-label/discovery) [HR 101](https://blog.hiringthing.com/tag/hr-101) # The Role of Psychology in Hiring ![Alisiana Peters](https://blog.hiringthing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Professional-Headshot.jpg?width=45&name=Professional-Headshot.jpg) [Alisiana Peters](https://blog.hiringthing.com/author/alisiana-peters) [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring) ![Smiling HR manager interviewing candidate](https://blog.hiringthing.com/hubfs/psychology-hiring-interviewing.jpg) Any recruiter or hiring manager knows there’s more to interviewing a candidate than merely asking questions. Companies with well-developed recruiting departments view their hiring formulas as art forms, and smaller organizations strive toward such tight hiring games. The secret to modern hiring isn’t just finding candidates with the desired experience. You now need to use science and psychology to hire, or dismiss, interviewees — maybe without even knowing it. To understand more about the phenomenon of hiring psychology, let’s look at the tactics that your organization, and other well-known companies, may be employing. ## **The Psychology of First Impressions** Known in psychology circles as “thin slicing,” [first impressions](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/mar/07/first-impressions-snap-decisions-impulse) about candidates (and theirs concerning you) take place within seconds, based on thin slices of information — clothing, scent, grooming, etc. We are often quick to make up our minds about candidates before we even speak to them, but there is so much more to each person than first meets the eye. While it is important that candidates put their best foot forward for a positive impression, recruiters may want to pump the breaks on jumping to conclusions about a person so they don’t discount great talent before they get to know them. ## **How Successful Companies Use Psychology Tactics in Interviews** Most successful companies don’t just have a hiring process; they have an accompanying philosophy. As psychological findings have shown, some of the world’s most successful companies (think Google) use [carefully devised interview techniques](https://www.wired.com/2015/04/hire-like-google/) that test things like cognitive ability and assess candidates’ placement on a conscientiousness scale. Whether or not you choose to adopt a similar strategy is less important than what you can learn from studying a successful company’s hiring psychology: - Score candidates based on conscientiousness — For example, the ability to take responsibility for their environments or their dedication to work completion. - Apply testing techniques to measure candidates’ cognitive abilities — Use behavioral and situational structured interview methods or pre-interview [psychometric testing](https://hbr.org/2013/09/how-to-use-psychometric-testin). - Finely tune your [interview process](https://blog.hiringthing.com/productive-job-interviews) — Write scripts and test your methodology and results, then follow the process consistently. - Rather than just grilling candidates concerning their resumes, maximize interviews as mutually enjoyable encounters — Enjoy conversations that cross from typical interviews into states of [flow](https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/199707/finding-flow). You're undoubtedly here because you're wondering how to use psychology to get the best candidates interviewing for your roles. HiringThing has created the [HiringThing Guide to Increasing Your Applicant Traffic](https://blog.hiringthing.com/hiringthing-guide-increasing-applicant-traffic) on how to increase your [applicant traffic](https://blog.hiringthing.com/increase-applicant-traffic), which helps you audit your current hiring practices, reimagine your strategies, and actionable ways to start implementing your ideas.  [![Increase Your Applicant Traffic](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/9445952/interactive-153116778834.png)](https://blog.hiringthing.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIcjRD%2FjoQQUGkwUuIorReJ1dbyFaWh4APluJ4771q1QldMMjsfgvjR6UTSUZi2VXaT19EKBsIr01FtKGbM8kTXieJ2E%2F%2BE%2FR%2BiM5keHjqpWHdZ6a07XuPIZFHMz0vwBVLRP2o8eue%2FoCnjs1sqwyTYxRl2FTp2%2FmvRn4TVhnXp1KRwy4yQRYSfKe8CGHvODkk%2F3Nn7WxobySUEBdLjwH7S7gNZwPQz%2BCvobBbe&webInteractiveContentId=153116778834&portalId=9445952)   ## **What HR Wants Future Candidates to Know about the Psychology of Hiring** The psychology of hiring doesn’t need to mystify and intimidate candidates. If anything, it can help them prepare for interviews and show their best selves. [From the perspective of a hiring manager](https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/neuronarrative/201102/insights-the-psychology-hiring) or recruiter, candidates should: - Relax with confidence, not crack or freeze under pressure. - Allow for humor, which goes a long way in creating positive experiences and demonstrating affinity with interviewers. - Show personality. - Pay attention to every first impression and interaction along the way, no matter how small (voicemails, emails, and in-person conversations). Interviewers use psychology in their hiring processes, in many cases unconsciously. However, when aware of the power of the mind, they can harness this psychology to help develop rock-solid strategies and interview techniques that enable them to identify the best talent and make smart, well-informed hiring decisions. ## Cangrade Uses Psychology for its Pre-Hiring Assessments [Cangrade](https://www.cangrade.com/company/about-us/) uses psychological practices to provide the most accurate, reliable, and unbiased method of predicting workforce success. Interested in adding pre-hiring assessments to your recruiting strategy? Schedule a [Cangrade demo](https://www.cangrade.com/request-demo-ats-partner/) today. ## Related Resources - [Workplace Leaders Can Benefit From Being People Forward](https://blog.hiringthing.com/workplace-leaders-can-benefit-from-being-people-forward) - [Navigating Uncertainty as a Business Leader](https://blog.hiringthing.com/shared-tips-for-navigating-uncertainty-as-a-business-leader) - [Innovative Strategies to Improve Recruiting and Retention](https://blog.hiringthing.com/innovative-strategies-to-improve-recruiting-and-retention) - [The HiringThing Guide to DEI Recruiting](https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-hiringthing-guide-to-dei-recruiting) - [How to Delight SaaS Users](https://blog.hiringthing.com/how-to-delight-saas-users) ### **About HiringThing** HiringThing is a modern recruiting and employee onboarding platform as a service that creates seamless talent experiences. Our white label solutions and open API enable HR technology and service providers to offer hiring and onboarding to their clients. Approachable and adaptable, the HiringThing HR platform empowers anyone, anywhere to build their dream team. ![Alisiana Peters](https://blog.hiringthing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Professional-Headshot.jpg?width=150&name=Professional-Headshot.jpg) #### Alisiana Peters Alisiana Peters was a Marketing Coordinator at HiringThing. ## Related Articles [![Two employees look at pre-employment testing results online. ](https://blog.hiringthing.com/hubfs/Four%20Key%20Reasons%20to%20Use%20Pre-Employment%20Testing%20During%20Recruiting.jpg)](https://blog.hiringthing.com/pre-employment-testing-benefits) [HR 101](https://blog.hiringthing.com/tag/hr-101) ### [The Benefits of Pre-Employment Skills Testing](https://blog.hiringthing.com/pre-employment-testing-benefits) ## Pre-Employment Skills Testing Concretely Gauges Job Candidate Skill Sets [78% of job candidates](https://www.checkster.com/are_you_hiring_charlatans) admit to misrepresenting themselves during [job interviews](https://blog.hiringthing.com/productive-job-interviews)—just one in six... ![Pat Brothwell](https://blog.hiringthing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1621426681866%20(1).jpg?width=45&name=1621426681866%20(1).jpg) [Pat Brothwell](https://blog.hiringthing.com/author/pat-brothwell) [Read More](https://blog.hiringthing.com/pre-employment-testing-benefits) [![Woman in glasses looking at laptop screen while sitting at desk drinking coffee.](https://blog.hiringthing.com/hubfs/pexels-martine-savard-265036.jpg)](https://blog.hiringthing.com/seven-step-to-selecting-the-right-job-board) [HR 101](https://blog.hiringthing.com/tag/hr-101) ### [Seven Steps to Selecting the Right Job Board](https://blog.hiringthing.com/seven-step-to-selecting-the-right-job-board) Out of all the channels on which employers could post open positions, online job boards still produce the most applicants—[51% of today’s job seekers](https://zety.com/blog/hr-statistics) utilize job boards... ![Pat Brothwell](https://blog.hiringthing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1621426681866%20(1).jpg?width=45&name=1621426681866%20(1).jpg) [Pat Brothwell](https://blog.hiringthing.com/author/pat-brothwell) [Read More](https://blog.hiringthing.com/seven-step-to-selecting-the-right-job-board) [![HiringThing\_Logo\_White\_no-space](https://blog.hiringthing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HiringThing_Logo_White_no-space.png?width=275&name=HiringThing_Logo_White_no-space.png "HiringThing_Logo_White_no-space")](https://hiringthing.com) --- A modern recruiting platform as a service that creates seamless hiring experiences. Approachable and adaptable, the platform empowers anyone, anywhere to hire their dream team. [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/hiringthing) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.youtube.com/c/hiringthing) [Follow us on Twitter](https://www.twitter.com/hiringthing) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/HiringThing/) - [Platform](https://www.hiringthing.com/private-label/) - [Developers](https://www.hiringthing.com/developers) - [Company](https://www.hiringthing.com/company) - [Blog](https://blog.hiringthing.com) - [Start Trial](https://register.hiringthing.com/register/start) - [Support](https://support.hiringthing.com/support/home) - [HiringThing Status](https://status.applicant-tracking.com/) - [Remote Work Hub](https://www.hiringthing.com/company/remote-work-hub/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Alisiana Peters", "url" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/author/alisiana-peters" }, "dateModified" : "2026-09-29T21:44:09.761Z", "datePublished" : "2020-08-10T10:12:00.000Z", "headline" : "The Role of Psychology in Hiring", "image" : [ "https://blog.hiringthing.com/hubfs/psychology-hiring-interviewing.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/hubfs/HiringThing_Logo_TealGreen.png" }, "name" : "HiringThing, Inc." } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://hiringthing.com/#organization", "@type" : "Organization", "contactPoint" : { "@type" : "ContactPoint", "contactType" : "customer support", "url" : "https://www.hiringthing.com/company/contact-us/" }, "description" : "HiringThing is a white label recruiting and employee onboarding platform that helps partners and employers deliver seamless hiring solutions.", "foundingDate" : "2012", "knowsAbout" : [ "Applicant tracking systems", "White label HR software", "Recruiting software", "Employee onboarding", "Candidate experience", "Hiring process optimization" ], "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 60, "url" : "https://www.hiringthing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/HiringThing_Logos_HiringThing_Logo_Teal_Green.svg", "width" : 600 }, "name" : "HiringThing", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.linkedin.com/company/hiringthing", "https://twitter.com/hiringthing", "https://www.facebook.com/HiringThing", "https://www.youtube.com/c/hiringthing" ], "url" : "https://www.hiringthing.com/" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/#website", "@type" : "WebSite", "inLanguage" : "en-US", "name" : "HiringThing Blog", "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://hiringthing.com/#organization" }, "url" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://hiringthing.com/authors/alisiana-peters#person", "@type" : "Person", "description" : "Alisiana Peters was a Marketing Coordinator at HiringThing, writing about recruiting, hiring and HR best practices.", "jobTitle" : "Marketing Coordinator", "knowsAbout" : [ "Recruiting", "Hiring best practices", "Human resources", "Employee onboarding" ], "name" : "Alisiana Peters", "url" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/author/alisiana-peters", "worksFor" : { "@id" : "https://hiringthing.com/#organization" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring#webpage", "@type" : "WebPage", "breadcrumb" : { "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring#breadcrumb" }, "inLanguage" : "en-US", "isPartOf" : { "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/#website" }, "name" : "The Role of Psychology in Hiring", "primaryImageOfPage" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/hubfs/psychology-hiring-interviewing.jpg" }, "speakable" : { "@type" : "SpeakableSpecification", "cssSelector" : [ "h1", "h2" ] }, "url" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring#breadcrumb", "@type" : "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/", "name" : "Blog", "position" : 1 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/tag/hr-101", "name" : "HR 101", "position" : 2 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "name" : "The Role of Psychology in Hiring", "position" : 3 } ] } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring#article", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "about" : [ { "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring#term-thin-slicing" }, { "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring#term-conscientiousness" }, { "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring#term-psychometric-testing" }, { "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring#term-structured-interview" }, { "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring#term-pre-hire-assessment" } ], "alternativeHeadline" : "How Hiring Psychology Shapes First Impressions and Interview Techniques", "articleSection" : [ "HR 101" ], "author" : { "@id" : "https://hiringthing.com/authors/alisiana-peters#person" }, "dateModified" : "2024-10-09", "datePublished" : "2020-08-10", "description" : "To understand the phenomenon of hiring psychology, let’s look at the tactics that your organization, and other well-known companies, may be employing.", "headline" : "The Role of Psychology in Hiring", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 630, "url" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/hubfs/psychology-hiring-interviewing.jpg", "width" : 1200 }, "inLanguage" : "en-US", "isAccessibleForFree" : true, "keywords" : [ "hiring psychology", "thin slicing", "first impressions", "interview techniques", "conscientiousness", "psychometric testing", "pre-hire assessments" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring#webpage" }, "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://hiringthing.com/#organization" }, "wordCount" : 690 } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring#faq", "@type" : "FAQPage", "mainEntity" : [ { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Thin slicing is the psychological term for forming first impressions within seconds based on small pieces of information like clothing, scent and grooming. Recruiters should avoid jumping to conclusions and discounting great talent." }, "name" : "What is thin slicing in hiring?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Companies like Google use devised techniques that test cognitive ability and assess conscientiousness, using behavioral and situational structured interviews or pre-interview psychometric testing." }, "name" : "How do successful companies use psychology in interviews?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Score candidates on conscientiousness, measure cognitive abilities with structured methods, script and test your interview process and follow it consistently, and make interviews mutually enjoyable conversations." }, "name" : "How can employers apply hiring psychology?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Relax with confidence, allow for humor, show personality and pay attention to every first impression, from voicemails and emails to in-person conversations." }, "name" : "What should candidates know about the psychology of hiring?" } ] } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring#glossary", "@type" : "DefinedTermSet", "hasDefinedTerm" : [ { "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring#term-thin-slicing", "@type" : "DefinedTerm", "description" : "Forming quick judgments from small amounts of information.", "inDefinedTermSet" : { "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring#glossary" }, "name" : "Thin slicing" }, { "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring#term-conscientiousness", "@type" : "DefinedTerm", "description" : "A trait reflecting responsibility and dedication to completing work.", "inDefinedTermSet" : { "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring#glossary" }, "name" : "Conscientiousness" }, { "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring#term-psychometric-testing", "@type" : "DefinedTerm", "description" : "Assessments that measure cognitive ability and personality.", "inDefinedTermSet" : { "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring#glossary" }, "name" : "Psychometric testing" }, { "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring#term-structured-interview", "@type" : "DefinedTerm", "description" : "An interview using consistent, predetermined questions and scoring.", "inDefinedTermSet" : { "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring#glossary" }, "name" : "Structured interview" }, { "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring#term-pre-hire-assessment", "@type" : "DefinedTerm", "description" : "A test used to predict a candidate's job success before hiring.", "inDefinedTermSet" : { "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/the-role-of-psychology-in-hiring#glossary" }, "name" : "Pre-hire assessment" } ], "name" : "Hiring Psychology Glossary" } ```