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Abstract

This study investigated the degree to which employment interview performance was associated with the time of day at which the interviews were conducted. Interview time included the actual time of day in which the interview was conducted, as well as the relative order in which applicants were scheduled (e.g., first interview in the morning, last interview prior to lunch, etc.). The data were based upon records of 818 actual interviews conducted between September, 1988 and December, 1990 for a wide range of job classifications in a large West Coast electric utility. The comprehensive structured interview format was used for all interviews included in the study. Interview questions were developed on the basis of a detailed job analysis, and a three-member panel of interviewers rated the applicants using a 7-point or 9-point Likert-type scale tied to benchmark answers. Results indicated that the time of day had no appreciable effect on interview ratings.

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Effects of Time of Day on Interview Performance

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