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Reactions to Recruitment Web Sites: Visual and Verbal Attention, Attraction, and Intentions to Pursue Employment

Journal of Business and Psychology volume 28, pages 263–285 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

We investigate job seeker visual and verbal attention, and perceptions regarding company web sites in the applicant generation phase of recruitment.

Design/Methodology/Approach

We report three studies using varied methodological approaches including eye-tracking, verbal protocol analysis (VPA), and survey data.

Findings

Eye-tracking results suggest Web-based job seekers focus visual attention on information containing hyperlinks and on text more than graphic images or navigation tools. VPA suggests Web-based job seekers focus verbal attention on content more than design, especially job opening information. Survey results suggest content, design, and communication features are all related to applicant attraction. Design explains the most incremental variance in web site evaluation, while perceptions of communication features explain the most incremental variance in attitude toward the organization and intentions to pursue employment.

Implications

We provide multi-method evidence concerning features that attract applicant visual and verbal attention, and influence attraction and intentions to pursue employment. The findings also provide practical implications for designing recruitment web sites.

Originality/Value

We report three methodologically distinct perspectives on an important and timely issue: Web-based recruitment. We are aware of no other psychomotor eye-tracking studies in the recruitment literature, and only one other VPA. Combining multiple methods in this way provides unique perspective.

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Fig. 1

Notes

  1. Portions of this data set have been previously published (Allen et al., 2007 ; Goldberg & Allen, 2008 ). The current study is far more comprehensive, incorporating significant relationships from previous research plus 11 new and unique explanatory constructs.

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Acknowledgments

Portions of this research were funded by Office of Naval Research and the Fogelman College of Business and Economics. This research was in large part designed and inspired by Dr. Mitzi Pitts prior to her untimely passing. We dedicate this research to the memory of her scholarship, care for students, and joyful spirit.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fogleman College of Business and Economics, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, 38152, USA

    David G. Allen, Jonathan E. Biggane & Mitzi Pitts

  2. Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA

    Robert Otondo

  3. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA

    James Van Scotter

Authors
  1. David G. Allen
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  2. Jonathan E. Biggane
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  3. Mitzi Pitts
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  4. Robert Otondo
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  5. James Van Scotter
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to David G. Allen.

Appendix

Appendix

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Table 9 Survey measures
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Allen, D.G., Biggane, J.E., Pitts, M. et al. Reactions to Recruitment Web Sites: Visual and Verbal Attention, Attraction, and Intentions to Pursue Employment. J Bus Psychol 28, 263–285 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-012-9281-6

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