Teaching is not the safe career bet that it once was. The thinking used to be: New students will always be entering the public schools, and older teachers will always be retiring, so new teachers will always be needed. But teaching jobs aren't secure enough to stand up to the "Great Recession," as this drawn-out downturn has been called. Across…

This study was designed to understand how school districts treat their current principals and principal candidates who have taken online courses or who have earned online degrees. Through a survey of 105 human resources directors in K-12 schools across the USA, the study found five major themes: (1) districts are reluctant to hire principals with…

This article explores the overlaps and disconnects between the competencies evaluators acquire during graduate school and those required and desired by employers. To investigate this relationship, two different surveys are administered, one for job seekers and the other for employers; 205 postings in the American Evaluation Association job bank…

Possible sexual discrimination was examined in the use of letters of recommendation. Female applicants were preferred over male applicants in terms of proceeding with an interview, thus demonstrating a case of reverse discrimination. (Author)

Tested hypotheses derived from expert recommendations regarding appropriate resume format. Personnel professionals (N=230) evaluated applicants submitting functional resumes more highly than applicants submitting chronological resumes. Discusses implications of these findings. (ABB)

Examined sex bias in hiring by personnel directors. Personnel directors (N=86) rated bogus job applications on their qualifications and likelihood of being considered for the position, expected performance, and expected success in the job. Found higher access ratings were given to the sex-stereotypical applicant when the applicant's credentials…

Data from the appointing managers and personnel directors of 35 newly hired and 33 promoted workers found that (1) employers maintain educational ceilings that are usually flexible and established by default; and (2) some employers willingly hire "overqualified" workers because of their potential for eventual promotion. (SK)

Discusses the employment interview as a method of studying the personality characteristics of job applicants. Describes two studies that indicated a substantial degree of agreement and accuracy in the conceptions held by students and by professional employment interviewers regarding the personality characteristics of personnel managers and…

In recruiting for smaller, fast paced companies, telephone interviews are a cost-effective method of screening candidates. The initial telephone interview can determine a candidate posses desirable qualities such as initiative, persistence with charm; positive attitude; quick thinking skills; coachability; superior communication skills; creative,…

Reports two studies investigating the training of employment interviewers, focusing on: (1) differences in the way trained and untrained interviewers used applicant characteristics to evaluate acceptability for employment, and (2) the manner of conducting the interview, applicants' reactions to the interviewer, and the interviewer's evaluation of…

Personnel administrators (N=23) were interviewed to explore their attitudes and thoughts about mid-life career redirection. Information was gathered on advantages and disadvantages of career change, and specific advice presented in response to typical case studies. (RC)

A rating scale of verbal and nonverbal behaviors in employment interviews was developed and applied to simulated interviews involving former clients of a blind rehabilitation center. Personnel managers who rated the interviews perceived negative behaviors (e.g., rigid, motionless facial expression) as more important than positive behaviors (e.g.,…

Written for employers, personnel directors, vocational rehabilitation personnel, placement specialists, and all others involved in helping the mentally handicapped find their rightful place in the world of work, these guidelines discuss significant factors to consider when employing or seeking employment for the mentally handicapped. These factors…