An Analysis of the Correlates of Discrimination Facing Young Hispanic Job-Seekers

Abstract

This study examines the extent and correlates of discrimination faced by young, accented, Hispanic males in Chicago and San Diego, using the outcomes of job applications by matched pairs of Anglo and Hispanic job-seekers. This is one of the first examples of audits being used in the labormarket area. The audit methodology provides a powerful basis for examining discriminatory hiring practices, because it permits direct comparison of hiring outcomes for pairs of Anglo and Hispanic jobseekers with similar labor-market qualifications. In this paper, we first present differences in Anglo-Hispanic success rates in filing applications, obtaining interviews, and obtaining jobs. This builds on the descriptive analysis presented in Harry Cross et al. (1990). We then focus on the correlates of differential success in obtaining interviews and in subsequent job acquisition. I. The Audit Methodology