Perceptions of the hiring decision: a subcultural analysis over time Available to Purchase

Job applicants seek to make a positive impression during the hiring process by emphasising attributes they perceive to be important to the hiring organisation. However, significant differences have been found to exist between different US subcultures in terms of their perceptions of the importance of certain selection criteria. Hence, individuals from different subcultures may emphasise different qualities during the interview process as a result of perceived differences in importance. Thus, those making hiring decisions may be getting different impressions of applicants who may be similarly qualified but whomay come from different subcultures, because of differences in emphasised attributes. This study examines African‐American and White‐American perceptions of the importance of 26 job selection criteria, using data from 1985 and 2002. Of particular interest was to determine if subcultural perceptions had changed over time, or, in other words, if there were significant differences in the importance rankings of the 1985 and 2002 African‐American groups and, similarly, of the two White‐American groups.