Table 2 Experimentally varied characteristics of the hypothetical applicants

Level and occupation-specificity of education and work experience

Lower secondary education and occupation-specific low-skill job experience (credentials and job titles according to the occupational field of the advertised job)

Occupation-specific upper secondary education and occupation-specific middle-skill job experience (credentials and job titles according to the occupational field of the advertised job)

Occupation-specific tertiary education and occupation-specific high-skill job experience (credentials and job titles according to the occupational field of the advertised job)

Lower secondary education and non-occupational low-skill job experience (credentials and job titles from the retail sector)

Non-occupation-specific upper secondary education and non-occupation-specific middle-skill job experience (credentials and job titles from the retail sector)

Non-occupation-specific tertiary education and non-occupation-specific high-skill job experience (credentials and job titles from the retail sector)

Lower secondary education and work experience in unqualified jobs (credentials according to the occupational field of the advertised job, and the job title “call-centre agent”)

Occupation-specific upper secondary education and work experience in unqualified jobs (credentials according to the occupational field of the advertised job, and the job title “call-centre agent”)

Occupation-specific tertiary education and work experience in unqualified jobs (credentials according to the occupational field of the advertised job, and the job title “call-centre agent”)

Duration and timing of unemployment

No unemployment

10 months of unemployment after graduation

20 months of unemployment after graduation

10 months of unemployment between jobs

20 months of unemployment between jobs

10 months of current unemployment

20 months of current unemployment

Gender

Male

Female