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Journal of Business and Psychology

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07.09.2016 | Original Paper

Impression Management Use in Resumes and Cover Letters

verfasst von: Marie Waung, Pam McAuslan, Jeff M. DiMambro, Natalia Mięgoć

Erschienen in: Journal of Business and Psychology | Ausgabe 6/2017

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Abstract

Purpose

This study contributes to the ecological validity of resume research by systematically examining the impression management (IM) content of actual resumes and cover letters and empirically testing the effect on applicant evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach

A content analysis of the frequency and intensity of IM tactic use in 60 resumes and cover letters was completed (Study 1). Next, an experiment was conducted in which IM tactic use was manipulated and the effect on applicant evaluation examined, using a sample of MTurk workers as evaluators (Study 2).

Findings

In Study 1, four self-promotion categories, three ingratiation categories, and one hybrid category were delineated. In Study 2, ingratiation and lower intensity self-promotion were found to increase perceptions of job and organization fit.

Implications

Employers should be aware that resumes and cover letters contain IM tactics that may influence applicant evaluation. In addition, employment training programs might communicate the benefits of using ingratiation and lower intensity self-promotion, while emphasizing the importance of accurately conveying one’s qualifications. Furthermore, the present taxonomy of IM resume content might be applied to resume database search engines to identify and index IM tactic use.

Originality/value

This research is the first to develop a taxonomy of IM tactics based on actual resumes and cover letters and may facilitate more comprehensive manipulations of IM tactic use and better integration of IM research across the selection process.

Vorheriger Artikel The Relationship of Coworker Incivility to Job Performance and the Moderating Role of Self-Efficacy and Compassion at Work: The Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Approach

Nächster Artikel Training Leader Emotion Regulation and Leadership Effectiveness

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Titel: Impression Management Use in Resumes and Cover Letters
verfasst von: Marie Waung
Pam McAuslan
Jeff M. DiMambro
Natalia Mięgoć
Publikationsdatum: 07.09.2016
Verlag: Springer US
Erschienen in: Journal of Business and Psychology / Ausgabe 6/2017
Print ISSN: 0889-3268
Elektronische ISSN: 1573-353X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-016-9470-9

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