Male Interviewers’ Nonverbal Dominance Predicts Lower Evaluations of Female Applicants in Simulated Job Interviews

Abstract

Abstract. Using the theoretical framework of circumplex models, we investigated how the actual nonverbal behaviors of interviewers can hinder female applicants’ performance in simulated job interviews. Fifty-seven dyads conducted mock job interviews for a managerial position. Applicants were always women, whereas interviewers were either men or women. Interviewers’ nonverbal dominance (visual dominance, speaking interruptions) and friendliness (smiling, nodding) were coded based on videotapes. Male interviewers’ dominance (but not friendliness) predicted lower self-evaluations of female applicants and lower evaluations made by the interviewers. Female interviewers’ nonverbal behavior did not predict outcomes. Implications for the advancement of women in the workplace are discussed, such as the importance of acknowledging and changing nonverbal dynamics to improve women’s performance in job interviews.