ABSTRACT
Rachel and Mark are interviewing for a mechanical engineering position with Jennifer at Mechanical Design Incorporated (MDI). Jennifer is also interviewing two other candidates: Claudia and Anthony. Jennifer has an important but difficult job to do. This example highlights the critical importance of hiring decisions in job interviews. Jennifer's good vs. bad choice will have long-term consequences for MDI. Research suggests that interviewers usually form initial impressions of applicants. Job interview is usually a relatively short social interaction. Interviewers tend to engage in confirmatory processes. The groups likely to be stigmatized and discriminated against depend on the interviewer, the organization, and the region or country where the interview takes place. In the MDI context, it is therefore possible that Mark and Rachel, who are both immigrants in the UK and display visible signs of their status, will be stigmatized in their interviews.
