The Effects of Video and Paper Resumes on Assessments of Personality, Applied Social Skills, Mental Capability, and Resume Outcomes

Abstract

In this laboratory experiment we examined the effect of resume format (paper resume only, video resume only, or both) on applicant evaluation. Differences in applicant personality trait evaluation were found for extraversion and agreeableness when video resumes were reviewed compared to when only paper resumes were reviewed. In addition, social skill and mental capability ratings were lower when only video resumes were reviewed. These findings indicate that video resumes may result in different assessments of applicant personality and harsher evaluations of applicant skills and abilities than paper resumes. Human resource personnel are cautioned in the use of video resumes until more research has been completed.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank Michelle Beddow, Megan Bollinger, Michael Childers, Brian Colbeck, Anisa Dean, Lana Mihyar, Anjana Pillarisetty, Shaill Sarman, Jonathan Schick, Kristi Sutherland, Samreen Tariq, and Travis Walker for their help with data collection and resume content coding.

Notes

Note. Personality trait descriptions from Costa and McCrae (1992), Digman (1990), Goldberg (1990, 1992).

Note. Numbers in parentheses are frequencies averaged across two raters. These reflect the number of times the eight resumes combined (paper or video) referred to information regarding Academic Qualifications, Work Experiences, Extracurricular Activities, or Other information.

Note. Reliabilities are calculated for patterns of trait ratings across the Big Five factors. Numbers in parentheses refer to the number of raters. Reliabilities reported are based on Cronbach's alpha in which correlations between every possible pair of ratings of the Big Five personality traits are averaged. SJA = Stimulus Job Applicant.

Note. All correlations are significant at p < .01.

Note. Different subscripts within a row indicate significant mean differences.

^a All Fs(2, 214).

*p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001.