AN EXPLORATORY-STUDY OF RECRUITERS SELF-RATINGS OF INTERPERSONAL-COMMUNICATION AND APPLICANTS DECISIONS ABOUT EMPLOYMENT

The increasing criticism of using applicants' reports of recruiters' c ommunication to explain postinterview outcomes suggests that alternati ve predictors should be identified. This exploratory investigation exa mined the extent to which 42 recruiters' self-ratings,of interpersonal communication, specifically, empathy and involvement in the interacti on, predict applicants' intent to accept a second offer for an intervi ew. Analysis of data collected at campus screening interviews of 168 s tudents showed that neither empathy nor involvement in the interaction significantly predicted applicants' postinterview decisions whereas, consistent with previous research, applicants' perception of recruiter s' communication significant predicted postinterview intentions. Train ing and research implications are addressed.