WHERE HAS MY RECRUITER GONE? THE EFFECTS OF TRUSTWORTHY RECRUITER BEHAVIOR ON APPLICANT JOB INTENTIONS

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Research has shown that characteristics of recruiters impact job applicant attitudes, and suggests that these effects change throughout the recruiting life-cycle. This study included 220 participants, and the results of this study indicate that applicants’ recruiter perceptions develop throughout the recruitment process, and predict intentions to pursue a job. Recruiter trustworthiness predicted job pursuit intentions in stage 1 of recruitment, the initial conversations and job application, stage 2, the interviews, and stage 3, the time following the final interview. Recruiter timeliness accounted for the most variance in these job pursuit intentions in stage 2, and recruiter helpfulness accounted for the most variance in stage 3. Recruiter trustworthiness mediated the relationship between timeliness, helpfulness and job pursuit intentions in stage 1, between timeliness and job intentions in stage 2, and between helpfulness and job intentions in stage 3, indicating recruiter behaviors impact applicant intentions by building an open and honest relationship.