JOB ALTERNATIVES AND JOB CHOICE

Research on realistic job previews (RJPs) has failed to consider applicant job choice in terms of job offers from competing organizations in the external work environment. In the present study subjects were assigned to one of three conditions: a traditional job preview (TJP) vs no job; an RJP vs no job; or a TJP vs an RJP vs no job. As in previous research, no differences in acceptance rates between RJP and TJP jobs were found when the alternative was no job. Subjects who received only the RJP did not differ from those who received the TJP in their perceptions of the job and organization. When given a choice between an RJP and a TJP, however, subjects had a strong preference for the TJP job. The TJP job was rated as more attractive, and the information provided in the RJP was rated as more adequate. Some of the implications for organizations using realistic job previews and areas for future RJP research are discussed. © 1991.