Relations between different sources of information in the structured selection interview

In this study we explored relations between visual cues displayed by interviewees, the content of their answers to interview questions, and supervisory ratings of performance. Sixty managers at 4 companies answered structured interview questions on videotape. Their supervisors assessed their performance on dimensions of managerial effectiveness. Three groups of student raters either watched the videotaped interviews without sound (visual information only), read transcripts of interviewees' answers to questions (content only), or watched and listened to the interviews (complete information) and then made judgments on the same dimensions of managerial effectiveness. Interviewees' specific nonverbal cues were also measured. Results indicate that visual cues have an effect on interview ratings above and beyond the content of responses. Nonverbal cues such as gaze and physical attractiveness seem to have an effect on both visually based and content-based interview ratings. Furthermore, it is the integration of both verbal and nonverbal information that has the strongest relationship with performance ratings.