The third index of source performance is source yield (i.e., the ratio of the number of candidates
generated from a particular source to hires from that source). While no ranking of source
yields would have validity across all types of organizations and all labor markets, Breaugh,
Greising, Taggart, and Chen (2003) examined the relationship between five recruitment methods
(i.e., employee referrals, direct applicants, college placement offices, job fairs, and newspaper
ads) and prehire outcomes for applicants for information-technology jobs. No difference was
found for level of education or interview score. Not surprisingly, those recruited from college
placement offices had less experience than applicants in the other groups. In terms of a job offer
employee referrals and direct applicants were more likely to receive one than those in the other
groups. This pattern also held for those who were hired. Thus, although employee referrals and
direct applicants did not differ from those in the other groups on two measures of applicant quality,
they still were viewed as being more deserving of job offers.