Recruitment Process and Employee Performance: The Mediating Role of Person–Job Fit—A Conceptual Perspective

Abstract Organizations increasingly recognize that sustainable competitive advantage depends on attracting and retaining employees whose competencies align with organizational objectives. Although considerable empirical evidence demonstrates that recruitment processes influence employee performance, the mechanisms through which recruitment translates into superior performance remain insufficiently explained. Existing studies largely emphasize the direct relationship between recruitment practices and employee outcomes while paying comparatively little attention to the mediating role of Person–Job Fit (P–J Fit). Furthermore, much of the available evidence originates from developed economies, limiting the theoretical understanding of these relationships within emerging economies characterized by unique labour market conditions and institutional challenges. This conceptual manuscript addresses this gap by proposing a theoretical framework that explains how recruitment processes influence employee performance through Person–Job Fit. Drawing upon Human Capital Theory and Person–Environment Fit Theory, the paper argues that recruitment creates organizational value not merely by attracting qualified applicants but by ensuring that employees' knowledge, skills, abilities, values, and interests correspond closely with job requirements. The manuscript synthesizes contemporary literature on recruitment, employee performance, and Person–Job Fit to develop four propositions describing the direct and indirect relationships among these constructs. It further presents a conceptual model illustrating the mediating role of Person–Job Fit and discusses the theoretical and managerial implications of adopting competency-based recruitment strategies. The paper contributes to human resource management literature by integrating two complementary theoretical perspectives into a unified explanatory framework and provides a foundation for future empirical investigations.