Recruitment sources and post-hire outcomes: The mediating role of unmet expectations

Two decades ago it was hypothesized that met expectations mediate the relationship between recruitment sources (internal vs. external) and post-hire outcomes. The current study tested this mediator hypothesis with new employees and found that those who entered the organization via internal recruitment sources experienced less unmet expectations than employees recruited via external recruitment sources. In addition, unmet expectations mediated the relation between type of recruitment source (internal vs. external) and both job satisfaction and organizational commitment. The study also found a considerable number of employees who reported that they have used multiple recruitment sources.