A field study of race and age similarity effects on interview ratings in conventional and situational interviews.

We examined the effects of interviewer and interviewee race and age similarity on interview outcomes under two different interview formats: a conventional structured panel interview and a situational panel interview. A total of 2,805 applicants were interviewed. The panels consisted of same-, mixed-, or different-race and same-, mixed-, or different-age groups. Analyses revealed stronger same-race effects with the conventional structured interview than with the situational interview. Furthermore, these same-race effects could be avoided by using mixed-race interview panels. No age similarity effects were detected with either interview procedure. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.