Social Desirability Tendency in Personality-Based Job Interviews—A Question of Interview Format?

Abstract

Today's variety of interview formats raises the question of their interchangeability. For personality interviews, a crucial question is whether different formats are comparably robust against applicants' social desirability tendency (SDT) to ensure an accurate measurement. Using a within-subjects design in a simulated selection setting with 211 participants, this study examined how SDT affects personality scores in a face-to-face, asynchronous video, and written interview—all with similar interview questions designed to measure personality. Relationships between interview scores and SDT were weakest in the face-to-face format and strongest in the written format and differed depending on which personality trait was assessed. The findings highlight the suitedness of different interview formats for measuring personality with important implications for interview design and personality assessment.