Relationship between interview structure and interinterviewer reliability in an employment situation

Abstract

Assigned 18 experienced job interviewers randomly to 3 groups which differed in the degree of interview structure. The structured group was not permitted to deviate from a predetermined interview format. The same format was used by the semistructured group and deviations were permitted. The unstructured group was free to interview applicants in any manner. A job specification for the job of clerk-stenographer was developed. On the basis of this specification, descriptions of 5 hypothetical job applicants were constructed. A separate description was given to each of 5 female undergraduates who were instructed in their job applicant roles. Each group interviewed and then ranked the 5 job applicants. The amount of interinterviewer agreement within groups was found to be positively related to the degree of interview structure. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)