Effects of Framing and Timing of Realistic Job Previews

Abstract

This study examined the effects of message framing and timing of the message delivery in the hiring process. Framing of the realistic job preview (RJP) message to participants was manipulated to randomly assign them to receive a positively-framed RJP or a negatively-framed RJP. Timing of the RJP delivery was randomly assigned by having participants imagine they either received the RJP right after submitting an application ("early") or after several selection hurdles have been completed ("late"). Participants were then asked to complete an electronic survey that measured their intent to proceed in the hiring process, applicant expectations, and feeling of informational justice. A need for cognition measure was also included for analysis as a potential covariate. Several theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.