Influence of sex and scholastic performance on reactions to job applicant resumés

Abstract

Investigated the possible existence of sex discrimination in the evaluation of job applicant resumés for accounting positions. Applicant sex and 2 levels of scholastic performance were systematically varied to yield 4 different resumés. One of 4 was sent at random to the personnel directors of 100 corporations. The sex of the applicant was identifiable either as obviously female (named Linda) or was unspecified (initials L. C.). Scholastic performance was manipulated to represent either a high performer (GPA of 3.8 out of a possible 4.0) or an average performer (GPA of 2.8). Results indicate that both the number of replies to the resumés and the number of positive responses were influenced by the applicant's sex. The frequency of positive responses was also influenced by the applicant's scholastic performance. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)