This is a Lexicon entry: the mechanism, when it shows up, and the countermeasure. The full correction, with real-world cases and the audit prompt, hasn't been written yet.
Definition
A hiring heuristic: if you must choose between two equally qualified candidates, you should pick the "uglier" one because they had to overcome more prejudice to achieve the same results.
When it shows up
When choosing between two equally qualified candidates in any professional context. In expert witness testimony: when a specialist forgets what they did not know at the time of an event. In code documentation: when a developer cannot reconstruct the reasoning behind their own decisions three months later.
Failure mode
Systematically over-rewarding people whose path was smoothed by privilege, while undervaluing those who achieved the same outcome despite greater obstacles.
Countermeasure
When candidates appear equivalent, consider the difficulty of their path. Ask: "Which person had to work harder to achieve this same outcome?" That person may be stronger.
Related traps
Also connected in the mapSurvivorship Bias·The Halo Effect·1 more, locked
Credit & first seen
DiscoveredArticulated by Nassim Nicholas Taleb in his writings on heuristics and skin in the game.
Read next
Entry #610 of 631 in The Lexicon · see the full Lexicon