Identification of Variables Most Influential in Determining Interviewers' Evaluations of Applicants in a College Placement Center

Abstract

170 applicants being interviewed by representatives of 17 different industrial and academic agencies participated. Interviewers evaluated applicants on three dimensions: over-all general impression, personal liking, and chances of further consideration. Information about the applicants was obtained from their application forms and used to predict the interviewers' evaluations. Stepwise multiple regression indicated that the best combination of predictors across all three evaluations were undergraduate grade point average, membership in a fraternity or sorority, and membership in professional societies. Slight differences were found between industrial and academic interviewers in that the former were more influenced by honors received and membership in a fraternity or sorority, while the latter were more influenced by membership in professional societies and undergraduate grade point average. Relevance of findings to previous research on interviewing is discussed.