Attributes associated with the submission of electronic versus paper résumés

摘要

This study investigated whether submitting résumés in electronic versus paper form affects attributes associated with job applicants. One hundred participants reviewed a résumé, either in paper or electronic form, of a journalist applying for a vacant position at a newspaper. Participants also reviewed a job description for that position either specifying the need for Internet research experience (technical reference group) or not (non-technical reference group). The participants then rated the applicant on seven attributes (intelligence, technical skills, interpersonal skills, leadership ability, motivation, resourcefulness, and overall qualifications). Analyses revealed the paper résumé applicant was perceived as more friendly while the electronic résumé applicant was viewed as more intelligent, technologically advanced, and possessing better overall qualifications. In addition, the applicant in the non-technical reference group was perceived as more intelligent, more technologically advanced, and possessing better overall qualifications compared with the applicant in the technical reference group.