The war for talent is a continuous challenge for organizations – they must consistently evaluate how their selection and recruitment practices influence whether potential candidates continue pursuing roles. One underexplored yet impactful factor is the waiting period applicants experience before participating in an interview. In this study, the authors (Lee and Jex, 2024) investigate how this waiting period influences applicants’ attraction to the organization.
WHEN JOB APPLICANTS MUST WAIT
The researchers conducted an experiment with 171 college students. Participants were asked to imagine interviewing for a job, with interviews conducted either in person or by phone. Upon arriving at the scheduled interview time, some participants experienced a 45-minute waiting period, while others proceeded directly to the interview. Afterward, they completed a survey measuring organizational attraction and self-efficacy, which refers to a general sense of confidence in their ability to succeed.
The results showed that when applicants were asked to wait, they became less attracted to the organization. In addition, those applicants with higher self-efficacy seemed to be even more affected by the wait period; they became even less attracted to the organization compared to applicants with low self-efficacy.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS
These findings emphasize how unexpected wait time during hiring can reduce applicants’ attraction to an organization, as it may signal potential future mistreatment. To address this, organizations should consider doing the following:
- Ensure that the recruitment process reflects the organization’s commitment to fair and respectful treatment of employees. Long waits or poor communication can signal poor organizational practices, deterring qualified candidates.
- Streamline scheduling and ensure smooth transitions between application stages. This can reduce unnecessary delays at all points in the recruitment process.
- Regularly collect feedback from candidates about the recruitment experience, including waiting time. Use this data to refine and improve processes.
- Train hiring managers and recruiters on the importance of minimizing waiting time. Explain how delays can negatively affect perceptions of the organization.
Lee, J., & Jex, S. M. (2024). Waiting for somebody to show up: The effect of applicant waiting on organizational attraction during job interviews. Journal of Personnel Psychology, 23(4), 203–212.
Image credit Unsplash+