Effects Of Previous Job Exposure And Subsequent Job Status On The Functioning Of A Realistic Job Preview

In a longitudinal field experiment, applicants for a correctional officer position were randomly assigned to two groups. One group was exposed to a videotaped realistic job preview designed to lower expectations, the second group was not exposed to the preview. Participants also completed attitudinal and descriptive survey measures at three points in time. Among the qualified applicants who were offered employment (n = 1,117), 358 accepted positions as correctional officers. The preview resulted in a lower rate of job acceptance among applicants with previous exposure to the job and a higher rate of acceptance among applicants with no previous job exposure (p<.05). Among officers with previous job exposure who saw the preview, retention was significantly lower (p<.05) during a probationary employment period, and significantly higher (p<.05) after the probationary period. Results of the survey measures suggested that persons may have interpreted the realistic information differently depending upon their prior exposure to the job.