Exploring the Applicant Reactions of Autistic Individuals to Digital Personnel Selection Instruments: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis

Scholars and practitioners have called for research on applicant reactions of people with disabilities to digital selection tools, given that limited empirical research exists to date. This exploratory study examines the applicant reactions of autistic candidates to four digital personnel selection instruments: a behavioral competency assessment, a cognitive ability test, a situational judgment test (SJT), and an asynchronous video interview (AVI). Using a qualitative approach, 22 autistic adults participated in 2 h-long interviews designed to capture their experiences with assessment attributes and content, and to identify the modifications they would like to see to perform to the best of their ability. Seven themes were produced using reflexive thematic analysis (RTA), and practical implications for HRM practitioners and test developers are discussed.