Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Psychology, Industrial and Organizational

Date of Defense

3-30-2020

Graduate Advisor

Dr. James Breaugh

Committee

Dr. John Meriac

Dr. Stephanie Merritt

Dr. Nancy Singer

Abstract

Note-taking during the interview process has been recommended by both academics and practitioners. However, little research on note-taking in employment interviews exists. Although the limited amount of research points to the benefits of note-taking, characteristics of the notes taken have not been studied in detail and in relation to many organizational outcomes. As such, this study examined characteristics of note-taking (including job relatedness, detail, and valence) and their impact on interview question scores, hiring recommendations, hiring decisions, employee performance, and turnover. Archival data from an organization was utilized and the notes taken during employment interviews were coded to better understand the relationship between characteristics of notes and organizational outcomes. Results showed that the characteristics of notes taken during interviews (job relatedness, detail, and valence) were not significant in moderating the relationship between interview ratings and hiring recommendations, but were significant in moderating the relationship between interview ratings and hiring decisions. Only valence was significant in moderating the relationship between interview ratings and performance. However, none of the moderators were practically significant. While note-taking characteristics were not significantly correlated with performance, they were significantly related to decisions by interviewers (hiring recommendations and hiring decisions) and interview scores, which in turn were predictive of performance.

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