Using work experience to predict job performance: do more years matter?

This thesis builds on previous studies that have explored the relationship between work experience and job performance. The study assesses the impact of various experience measures and job performance outcomes (i.e., IRB, OCBI, OCBO). The study also explores the possible influence of sector (i.e., public vs. private). In order to test the hypotheses, researchers collected survey data from 232 full-time employees in the United States. The results suggested that firm experience, unrelated experience, and prior-related work experience did not account for any unique variance in job performance outcomes (i.e., IRB, OCBI, OCBO) overall. However, additional results revealed a significantly positive relationship between prior-related work experience and job performance outcomes (i.e., IRB & OCBI) in public sector employees. Limitations, future research directions, and practical implications are discussed.