Self-verification behavior as an employment interview tactic

Across three studies, we explored the construct of self-verification behavior in the employment interview, defined as: "sharing of unembellished self-related information that is in line with self-views." Using content analysis, Study 1 explored whether job applicants (N = 252) described self-verification behavior when they were asked which strategy they used to distinguish themselves from other applicants. Self-verification behavior was frequently mentioned in conjunction with other self-presentation tactics, such as honest impression management. In Studies 2 and 3, we surveyed job applicants (N = 92 and N = 311) immediately following an interview. We found a positive relationship between self-verification behavior and honest impression management and honesty-humility, but a near-zero relationship with interview performance. Using confirmatory factor analysis, we found that although correlated, self-verification behavior is conceptually different from honest impression management. We suggest that measuring self-verification behavior in interviews allows researchers to capture a broader range of potential interview strategies.