A study was conducted to determine how employers make hiring decisions for entry-level jobs. In simulated hiring settings, 56 employers in Columbus, Ohio, were asked to rate young job seekers first from their application forms and then from videotaped interviews. The applicants (aged 16-25) were seeking full-time employment in three fields: clerical, retail, and machine trades. In screening the application forms, the employers considered these factors as most important: relevant work experience, relevant postsecondary program, skills relevant to the job (e.g., typing), good grades, and neatly completed application forms. The two most critical factors in the videotaped interviews were attitude and grammar. Interviews with the employers emphasized their stress on good attitudes, not just for the interview, but also for jobs performance. The study concluded that school administrators should take employers' opinions into account, since the future economic success and job security of their students will depend on the degree to which students are able to fulfill employer expectations. Schools should promote cooperative education programs, emphasize basic skills, and include employability and job search training as part of the curriculum. (KC)