The Relative Returns to Education, Experience, and Attractiveness for Young Workers

Emily Beam, Joshua Hyman () and Caroline Theoharides
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Joshua Hyman: University of Connecticut

No 10537, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: Understanding employer preferences for characteristics of young workers is crucial to designing effective policies to reduce youth unemployment in developing countries. We conduct a randomized resume audit study, simultaneously examining the returns to education, experience, and physical attractiveness among young workers applying for entry-level jobs in a developing country context. Employers do not value college experience without a degree. Postsecondary vocational training increases the likelihood of a callback, but only for blue-collar occupations typically offered only to male workers. Work experience is valued across most occupations; however, among service-sector jobs with in-person customer interactions, attractive applicants receive 23 percent more callbacks, swamping the returns to experience. Our results can guide policymakers in the design of labor market programs to reduce youth unemployment as well as help young workers make optimal choices to ease their school-to-work transition.

Keywords: labor demand; audit study; school-to-work transition; returns to education; returns to experience; attractiveness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C93 J23 J24 J70 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 43 pages
Date: 2017-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hrm and nep-lma
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

Published - published in: Economic Development and Cultural Change, 2020, 68 (2), 391–428

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Journal Article: The Relative Returns to Education, Experience, and Attractiveness for Young Workers (2020)
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