What biases should you avoid when making career development decisions?

1 Confirmation bias

Confirmation bias is the tendency to seek, interpret, and remember information that confirms your existing beliefs or expectations, while ignoring or rejecting evidence that contradicts them. For example, if you have a positive impression of a certain company or role, you might only focus on the benefits and advantages of working there, and overlook the drawbacks or challenges. Confirmation bias can lead you to make career decisions based on incomplete or inaccurate information, and miss out on other opportunities that might suit you better. To avoid confirmation bias, you should actively seek out different perspectives and sources of information, and challenge your own assumptions and opinions. You should also be open to feedback and criticism, and consider alternative scenarios and outcomes.

2 Anchoring bias

Anchoring bias is the tendency to rely too much on the first piece of information that you receive, and use it as a reference point for making subsequent judgments or comparisons. For example, if you see a salary range for a certain position, you might anchor your expectations and negotiations around that number, even if it is not realistic or relevant for your situation. Anchoring bias can cause you to make career decisions based on arbitrary or irrelevant factors, and prevent you from exploring other options or possibilities. To avoid anchoring bias, you should do your own research and analysis, and use multiple sources of information and criteria. You should also be flexible and adaptable, and adjust your expectations and goals based on new information and feedback.

5 Framing effect

Framing effect is the tendency to be influenced by the way that information is presented or worded, rather than by the actual content or meaning. For example, if you receive a job offer or a performance review that is framed positively or negatively, you might have a different reaction or impression than if it was framed neutrally or objectively. Framing effect can affect how you perceive and evaluate information, and make you more susceptible to persuasion or manipulation. To avoid framing effect, you should pay attention to the facts and details, rather than the tone or style of communication. You should also compare and contrast different sources and formats of information, and look for inconsistencies or biases. You should also ask questions and clarify any doubts or ambiguities, and make sure you understand the implications and consequences of your career decisions.