The effect of thin slicing on structured interview decisions

• Main Author: Schmidt, Gregory F
• Format: Others
• Published: Scholar Commons 2007
• Subjects: Selection; Non-verbal behavior; Interviews; Impression management; Stranger ratings; American Studies; Arts and Humanities
• Online Access: http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/2356; http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3355&context=etd

This study examined whether hiring recommendations based on thin slices of a structured interview were associated with recommendations based on the interview in its entirety. After viewing 12 seconds of silent interviewee behavior, participants made hiring recommendations that were significantly correlated with those produced by individuals viewing a still-frame of the interview and the entire interview. In an effort to determine what sources of information participants were using to arrive at their recommendations, nonverbal behaviors were examined in detail. Applicants who appeared attentive, not anxious, competent, confident, dominant, optimistic, and professional were more likely to receive positive hiring recommendations than others. Additional analyses reveal that these nonverbal behaviors impact hiring recommendations in both the still-frame and thin-slice video conditions after controlling for applicant physical attractiveness. Overall, results indicate that despite the availability of verbal content, interviewers may be heavily influenced by their first 12-second impression of a job applicant.