Nonverbal Communication in the Employment Interview: Gender Differences in Impression Management Techniques

One of the most popular procedures used in selection processes is the employment/selection interview (Dipboye, 1992). A selection interview is defined by Dipboye as “a dialogue initiated by one or more persons to gather information and evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for employment.” Some researchers choose the term “recruitment interview” to imply that the interview is a “two-way process” (Stewart & Cash, 2003). Organizations are “recruiting” as well as “selecting” future workers and thus should present themselves in a favorable light (Stewart & Cash). While some studies have shown that interviews may provide low validity for determining an applicant’s qualifications and future performance on the job, they are still one of the most widely-used selection instruments (Dipboye). This is because employers want to meet potential employees before making a final decision (Stewart & Cash).