Effects of Screener Self-Monitoring on the Relationships Among Applicant Positive Self-Presentation, Objective Credentials, and Employability Ratings

Abstract

The purpose of this experimental study (N = 265) was to determine how screener self-monitoring (SM) would affect the relationships of applicant positive self-presentation (PSP) and objective credentials (OCs) with ratings of employability. Results indicated that screener SM moderated two relationships quite differently: The relationship between employability and self-presentation was more positive as screener SM “increased,”whereas the relationship between employability and credentials was more positive as screener SM “decreased.” If organizations are not attentive when hiring or assessing personnel within other human resource functions, evaluator SM may act as an undetected bug in scoring procedures and change the subsequent decisions made.