The Exclusionary Potential of “Professionalism” in Hiring Situations

ABSTRACT

Using data from 88 students, 20 advisers, and 24 hirers, this article examines the rhetorical persona of the “Professional” in résumés and cover letters. Participants often explained professionalism by its inverse: items, formats, and language that are labeled “unprofessional.” Their discussions suggest that professionalism can be a problematic requirement for applicants with work history or formats associated with feminized sexuality, or for applicants whose names trigger biases about White English Vernacular.

KEYWORDS:

• Professionalism
• racial studies
• ethnic studies
• cultural studies
• hiring
• sexuality
• feminisms
• gender studies
• language

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10572252.2024.2340432

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Chalice Randazzo

Chalice Randazzo researches the intersection of practical and critical-cultural technical and professional communication, especially missing work and silence. She is an Associate Professor at Utah Tech University.