The personnel interview from the applicant's perspective : correlates of acceptance of a job offer

This study investigated what type of information applicants receive in the employment interview, and key correlates of acceptance of employment offers, attitudes toward the job, and attitudes toward the organization. One hundred eighty-seven applicants for technical positions at The Tennessee Valley Authority completed a questionnaire that measured their perceptions of the job, organization and interview itself when they came to TVA for an on-site interview. The results revealed that the greatest amount of time was spent discussing the intrinsic aspects of the job. Applicants felt more confident in their knowledge about the job and organization after the interview, and had more positive attitudes toward the job and organization. Five factors were found that represented a number of behaviors that occur in the interview. Upon examination of the relationships between these factors and satisfaction with the interview, the results indicated that the interpersonal capability of the interviewer was the strongest correlate of interview satisfaction. The results also revealed that those applicants who felt they had an accurate perception of the job and organization tended to have more positive attitudes toward the job, organization, and estimated likelihood of accepting an employment offer. The results support Schneider's (1972) suggestion to view applicants as seekers of information. Implications for the selection and training of interviewers, and an expanded role of the interview are discussed. The new role focuses on providing information to applicants as well as evaluating applicants.