ANTECEDENTS OF INTERVIEW INTERACTIONS, INTERVIEWERS' RATINGS, AND APPLICANTS' REACTIONS

Abstract

This study examined the effects of two antecedents–interviewers' perceived screening‐recruiting priorities and training–on interview interactions and outcomes. Data from 39 interview transcripts, 364 interviewer evaluations, and 106 applicant surveys were analyzed. Results showed that recruitment‐oriented interviewers talked 50% more, volunteered twice as much information, and asked half as many questions as did joint‐focus or screening‐oriented interviewers. Trained interviewers asked more secondary, open, and performance‐differentiating questions than did untrained interviewers and were less likely to discuss non‐job‐related topics. The untrained (but not the trained) interviewers became significantly harsher in their evaluations as their orientations shifted from recruitment to screening. Although applicants detected behavioral differences by interviewers' orientations and training, these differences did not affect their attraction to interviewers' organizations. Research and practical implications are highlighted.