Publication: Asymmetric Information on Noncognitive Skills in the Indian Labor Market: An Experiment in Online Job Portal
Date
2018-03
ISSN
Published
2018-03
Author(s)
Abstract
This paper examines the impact of
noncognitive (socio-emotional) skills on job market
outcomes, using a randomized control trial implemented in an
online job portal in India. Job seekers who registered in
the portal were asked to take a Big-Five type personality
test and, for a random subsample of the test takers, the
results were displayed to potential employers. The outcomes
are measured by whether a potential employer shortlisted a
job seeker by opening (unlocking) his/her application and
background information. The results show that the treatment
group for whom test results were shown generally enjoyed a
higher probability of unlock. That is, employers are more
interested in those for whom they can see personality test
results. Such a relationship was not seen in the pre-test
period, which confirms that the results are unlikely to be
spurious. The study also finds a significant impact among
organized, calm, imaginative, and/or quiet applicants (no
effect is detected among easy-going, sensitive, realistic,
and/or outgoing applicants), which seems to display
employers' preference.
Citation
“Yamauchi, Futoshi; Nomura, Shinsaku; Imaizumi, Saori; Areias, Ana; Chowdhury, Afra. 2018. Asymmetric Information on Noncognitive Skills in the Indian Labor Market: An Experiment in Online Job Portal. Policy Research Working Paper;No. 8378. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/29558 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”
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