Interaction of recruiter and applicant gender in resume evaluation: A field study

• Published in: Sex roles Vol. 51; no. 9-10; pp. 597 - 608
• Main Authors: COLE, Michael S, FEILD, Hubert S, GILES, William F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Springer 01.11.2004; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Beliefs; Biological and medical sciences; Curriculum vitae; Evaluation; Evaluators; Exhibits; Extracurricular Activities; Females; Field study; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gender; Gender aspects; Gender Differences; Human Resources; Job Applicants; Males; Meta Analysis; Occupational psychology; Orientation. Selection. Evaluation; Personnel Selection; Professional recruitment; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Recruitment; Resumes; Resumes (Personal); Role Theory; Sex Role; Sex Stereotypes; Social psychology; Social role. Sex role; Switzerland; Work Experience; Human; Occupational selection; Sex role; Decision making; Sex; Recruitment behavior; Stereotype; Cognitive bias; Social cognition; Feminity masculinity
• ISSN: 0360-0025; 1573-2762
• DOI: 10.1007/s11199-004-5469-1

In the present study, we examined the effect of recruiter and applicant gender on recruiters' evaluations of applicants' qualifications as reported on actual applicant resumes. Forty recruiters evaluated applicant resumes that were randomly allocated to them. In total, 388 recruiter evaluations of applicant resumes comprised the sample. Results indicate that recruiter and applicant gender interacted to predict recruiters' perceptions of applicants' qualifications. Male recruiters' perceptions of applicants' work experiences did not differ depending on applicant gender. However, female recruiters perceived male applicants' resumes to report more work experiences than resumes of female applicants. Furthermore, male recruiters perceived female applicants as having more extracurricular interests than male applicants. Female recruiters rated both male and female applicants as having about the same amount of extracurricular activity information on their resumes. Gender role theory provides a possible explanation for the study's findings. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]