Applicant Desirability Influences Reactions to Discovered Résumé Embellishments. (7th February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kuhn, Kristine M.; Johnson, Timothy R.; Miller, Douglas
• Is Part Of: International journal of selection and assessment. Volume 21:Number 1(2013:Mar.)
• Page Start: 111
• Page End: 120
• Publication Date: 2013-02-07
• Subjects: Employee selection -- Periodicals; Personality and occupation -- Periodicals; Employment interviewing -- Periodicals; Prediction of occupational success -- Periodicals; Employees -- Rating of -- Periodicals; 658.3112
• DOI: 10.1111/ijsa.12021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0965-075X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>This study investigates responses to a discovered résumé embellishment as a function of initial impressions of the applicant. In Study 1, managers and recruiters rated the extent to which a discrepancy uncovered by a background check would lower their opinion of an applicant, using a between‐subjects design crossing the applicant's apparent desirability and type of embellishment. In Study 2, business students completed a simulated hiring task in which they first evaluated applicants based on their résumés, then read background reports, and subsequently made a final evaluation. Results indicate interactive effects of an applicant's apparent desirability, type of deception revealed, and response dimension. The discovery of a minor embellishment has little effect on evaluations of favored applicants, but negatively impacts less desirable applicants.</p> </abstract>