000			01239nam a22001577a 4500
999			_c516381 _d516381
008			210224b ||||| |||| 00| 0 eng d
100			_aAbel, Martin, Burger, Rulof and Piraino, Patrizio _925211
245			_aThe value of reference letters: Experimental evidence from South Africa
260			_a American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
300			_a12(3), Jul, 2020: p.40-71
520			_aWe show that reference letters from former employers alleviate information frictions in a low-skill labor market, improving applicant screening and gender equity. A resume audit study finds that using a reference letter in the application increases callbacks by 60 percent. Women drive the effect. Letters are effective because they provide valuable information about workers' skills that employers use to select applicants of higher ability. A second experiment, which encourages job seekers to obtain and use a reference letter, finds consistent results. In particular, reference letters raise job interviews and employment for women. – Reproduced
650			_aLow-skill labor market, Employment, Workers _925212
773			_a American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
906			_aLABOUR MARKET - SOUTH AFRICA
942			_cAR