Applying for remote jobs? You'd better be competent! Teleworking turns recruiters attention to candidate competence over warmth-related skills

Person Perception Theory suggests that two traits, warmth and competence, govern social judgments of individuals has a primacy effect over competence because its capability to predict people's intentions. Drawing on economic (i.e., rational) decision-making theories, we hypothesized in organizations, which are by definition concerned with instrumental goals maximization profits minimization costs), worker is more important than influences hiring decisions about candidates. Moreover, teleworking turns recruiters' attention candidate (over warmth) greater extent onsite work. Supporting our hypothesis, Study 1, vignette experiment, showed people manifest stronger intention recruit who highly competent (although less warm), while this was when the work-setting favored teleworking. 2 (preregistered), field experiment recruiter participants, further recruiters inclined hire warm) candidates favors through perception as appropriate for job. These results provide evidence reversal at work illuminate role (online vs. onsite) decisions.