Effect of Impression Management Tactics on Eclectic Evaluative Interview Scores in the Selection Process

The selection interview is one of the vital components of the assessment of the Indian Armed Forces to find appropriate candidates. During the eclectic evaluative interview, prospective applicants will resort to either Self-Management (SM) or Impression Management (IM) tactics to alter the interviewer’s perception. The study aimed to understand the effect of Impression Management (IM) tactics (self-rated and observed non-verbal strategies) in eclectic evaluative interview scores among candidates who applied for Officer Cadre in the Armed Forces. This exploratory study encompassed a quantitative method of data collection through convenient sampling. A total of 144 candidates, who appeared for Officer Cadre in the Armed forces were selected, out of which 108 were male and 36 were female. The questionnaire method was used to gather data on the impressive management tactics adopted during the eclectic interview. The interviewees were asked to rate themselves using BIDR-6 to assess the impression management tactics used by them which comprise Self Deceptive Positivity (SDE) and Impression Management. The interviewers were asked to rate the interviewees on non-verbal impression management tactics. The data was processed using descriptive statistics – Mean and Standard Deviation (SD) and inferential statistics – Independent Sample ‘t’ test, Pearson’s Correlation, and Stepwise Multiple Regression. Results show that the female candidates had higher scores in self-deceptive positivity (p<0.05) and IM tactics (p<0.01). Self-rated IM interview tactics were not statistically related to the non-verbal IM tactics as observed by the interviewer. Among the male candidates, a significant correlation (r=0.25, p<0.01) was found between the Observed non-verbal IM tactics and the eclectic evaluative interview scores. This study implies the tendency to adopt IM tactics by the participants.