(Entertainment-NewsWire.com, April 13, 2013 ) San Francisco, CA -- Researchers have found that job applicants that have Swedish sounding names are more likely to be called back for interviews, or at least not tossed aside as quickly, as those with Arabic names.
The outcome was based off of a randomly generated experiment involving CV and cover letters. "We're not so surprised because we knew there was a lot of discrimination in the labor market," Lund University PhD candidate Rickard Carlsson told The Local.
"We were more disappointed that appearing warm and confident was not enough for job seekers to avoid discrimination altogether."
Carlsson, as well as his colleagues, carried out the study wherein 5,500 CVs and cover letters were generated randomly, then being sent out to varying job announcements. Rather than sending out the same letters with different names, the team generated an array of experiences and character traits, assigning fictional Arabic and Swedish names to each.
"We chose Arabic names because they are treated the worst. They're in the poorest position when it comes to stereotypes in Sweden, and we were specifically targeting characteristics of warmth and competence. Arabs are often thought to have neither."
The study outcome found that the letters with the Swedish names had almost a 50% higher opportunity for a call-back for an interview than did the Arabic names.
"Of course, I have to emphasize that there can be bad luck in reality when it comes to getting job interviews, but there is a clear difference. But even so, it's important to give the message that it's not hopeless. If anything, foreign job seekers can learn from this," Carlsson said.
Carlsson also added that employers do not take traits for granted either, and that foreigners should not hesitate to disprove stereotypes in their letters.
"For Swedes, this random test shows just as much that a poor personal letter may get them through the door on the merit of their name...just as much as it shows that Arabs don't get through based on their name,” He explained.
“You need to safeguard yourself, understand there is a discrimination, and just try harder with the letter. It's in no means pointless to apply for a job. Tell employers that you play football in your spare time, carefully explain who you are and fight the stereotypes with your letter," he told The Local.
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