How and When Do Interviewer Characteristics Affect Organizational Attractiveness?

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effects of interviewer characteristics (i.e., friendliness and credibility) on organizational attractiveness, through the mediation of applicant perceived person-organization fit (P-O fit) and the moderation of applicant’s personality traits (i.e., agreeableness and conscientiousness). Data were gathered from 100 applicants after a face-to-face interview. Results indicate that interviewers’ friendliness and credibility lead to organizational attractiveness through perceptions of P-O fit by applicants. Additionally, applicant’s conscientiousness amplifies the positive effect of interviewer’s credibility on their perceptions of P-O fit. Finally, the moderated mediation test reveals a significant conditional indirect effect of interviewer’s friendliness and credibility on organizational attractiveness through P-O fit for applicants with a high-level of agreeableness and conscientiousness, but not for those with a low-level of agreeableness and conscientiousness.