Job Realistic preview

RJP offers a realistic look into what a job is actually like showing both the positives and the
negatives so the candidate can get a real feel for what skills and qualifications are needed on the
job, as well as what a typical day would look like. 

Also, establishing expectations ahead of time makes sure everyone is on the same page before
the hiring process is complete and weeds out candidates that are not fully committed.

Realistic job preview (RJP) is a tool companies and organizations use as a way to communicate

the good and the bad characteristics of the job during the hiring process of new employees, or as
a tool to reestablish job specificity for existing employees. [1] Realistic job previews should
provide the individuals with a well-rounded description that details what obligations the
individual can expect to perform while working for that specific company. Descriptions may
include, but are not limited to, work environment, expectations, and Company policies (rules,
restrictions).
At the heart of realistic job previews are the employee exchange or psychological
contract between employer and employee.[2] By being hired after use of the RJP, the employee
enters the contract aware of what the organization will provide to them (pay, hours, schedule
flexibility, culture, etc.) as well as what will be expected from them (late hours, stress, customer
interaction, high urgency, degree of physical risk, etc.)
Realistic job preview is a psychological contract between an employee and an employer. A
realistic job preview/RJP is a job description that lets potential candidates know the details of the
job they have applied for regarding pay, hours, schedule flexibility, and culture. The purpose of a
hiring manager giving a realistic job preview is to make sure a new candidate/employee is fully
aware of what the job entails. Realistic job previews help form bonds and build mutual trust with
candidates, which leads to a lower turnover ratio, which is high with new hires. High turnover of
new hires can occur when they are unpleasantly surprised by an aspect of their job, especially if
that aspect is important to them (e.g. unpleasant working environments, inflexible schedule and
unreasonable working hours).[citation needed] For example, if a new employee started a new job with
an understanding that they wouldn't have to work weekends and then are immediately scheduled
for a Saturday night, it undermines that trust and the psychological contract is breached. Better
informed candidates who continue the application process are more likely to know what to
expect and have the job to be a good fit while the ones who choose not to continue, save
themselves time pursuing a job or company that wasn't right for them. Realistic job previews can
save approximately $300,000 over a five year period if it decreases turnover of one senior staff
(employee) and one (entry) lower-level employee during the span of that five years, though the
savings could be much greater depending on the size of the company. [3] Receiving a detailed RJP
plays a very important role in the socialization of new employees. RJPs also help influence the
behaviors and attitudes of new hires, and is crucial when a new employee is starting in a new
organization.
A quality realistic job preview has a bigger psychological purpose than one may think. If the
expectations and promises aren't met to the employee, it can cause dissatisfaction and lead to
dysfunctional organizational outcomes. For example, if a company continuously overemphasizes
its benefits, job outlooks etc., it will not meet up to the expectations it had previously set for
itself, thus lowering trust, which can lead to turnover

Why are realistic job previews important?

Short answer: A realistic job preview ensures you’re getting the right candidate in your open
position the first time around by letting candidates know exactly what the role they’re applying
for entices.

 The realistic job preview has a number of key benefits.

 Increasing self-selection. While reducing the number of applicants, the quality of the
applicants will increase. This means that people will be more informed about the job and
more motivated to start the job as there is a better fit between the person and the job. This
is likely caused by lower expectations, one of the proven effects of being exposed to an
RJP.
 Improved candidate experience. Investing time in applying for a job that will not match
is a big downer while gaining a deeper understanding of a job you like will only make
candidates more excited. As such, the RJP is likely to have a positive impact on the
candidate experience.
 Commitment to the organization. Research shows that people who have had a realistic
job preview are more committed to the organization. This is because they know what is
happening, have a better understanding of the cultural values of the organization, and the
issues that employees run into.
 Job satisfaction. This one is more obvious – when expectations match reality, people
will be more satisfied. Employees who have had a realistic job preview have better-
matched expectations about their work – and about the organization – and as a result, will
be more satisfied with their work.
 Higher performance. Similarly, because of higher satisfaction, commitment to the
organization, and alignment with the responsibilities of the job, employees are more
likely to perform better.
 Lower employee attrition. Because the expectations of the job and day-to-day reality
are aligned, employee attrition decreases. This is especially relevant for first-year
attrition. Because employee on boarding is expensive, the RJP is a great way to reduce
the number of bad hires (i.e. employees who quit shortly after being hired or
underperform and stay).