How to attract talent? Field-experimental evidence on emphasizing flexibility & career opportunities in job adverts
Wednesday 29 October 14:15 until 15:30
Online : Online via Zoom
Speaker: Pia Pinger – University of Cologne
Part of the series: Economics Departmental Seminars

To register for this seminar with Eventbrite please click here
Abstract:
We conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a leading technology firm to study how highlighting flexibility and career advancement in job advertisements causally affects the applicant pool. Highlighting career advancement increases applications from men for entry-level positions. These applicants are more likely to have graduated from a leading university, fit the advertised position better, and are more often invited to a job interview. By contrast, highlighting flexibility increases applications from both women and men at the entry-level, but does not significantly affect applicant quality or fit. A complementary survey experiment among STEM students shows how job advertisements shape beliefs about the firm’s job characteristics and the work environment.
Bio:
https://sites.google.com/site/piapinger/home
Posted on behalf of: business-research@sussex.ac.uk
Further information: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/economics-departmental-seminar-professor-pia-pinger-tickets-1715951409859?aff=oddtdtcreator
Last updated: Thursday, 18 September 2025