Validity of resume reviewers' inferences concerning applicant personality based on resume evaluation

Recruiters infer personal traits from job applicants' resumes and use these inferences in evaluating job applicants' employability. No research to date, however, has determined if resume reviewers' inferences of applicants' personality drawn solely from resume biographical data are valid. In the present study, resume reviewers (N=52) examined one of two applicant resumes and then described the applicant's personality based on the Big 5 taxonomy. Validities of reviewers' inferences concerning applicant personality were assessed by correlating resume reviewers' judgments with applicants' self-reported Big 5 personality scores. Results suggested that valid personality inferences are possible based solely on resume evaluation. We also found evidence suggesting that attending a brief training session may enhance reviewers' accuracy when inferring applicants' personality from resume information.