Differential presentation of qualifications in the résumé : an empirical investigation

This study investigated differential presentation of qualifications in the resume on three interviewing outcomes. 123 graduate business students responded to resumes of actual job seekers written in traditional or personal attributes styles. This research found 1). that personal attributes resumes are not universally more effective, but 2). where they provide relevant information not given in the traditional resume they are more effective, and 3.) resumes designed to improve initial and final impressions did not increase effectiveness. Results were discussed in terms of schemas and the social cognitive issue of the relationship between impressions of people and decisions about them. Applications to career changers were discussed along with suggestions for future research.