Influences of Campus Recruiting on Applicant Attraction to Firms

Abstract

In the context of campus recruiting for organizational positions, this study examined the influences of recruiter behaviors and characteristics and interview focus and structure on applicants’ attraction to firms. Recruiters and applicants completed surveys after campus interviews. We measured attraction to the firms as expectancy and valence perceptions. Results indicated that applicant perceptions of recruiter behaviors, especially the interest shown in candidates, had the strongest influence on attraction. In general, recruiters’ reports of interview focus and structure were related to applicant perceptions of recruiter behavior, and interview focus was related to perceptions of the attractiveness of a job.