SHOPPING AT THE LABOR-MARKET - A REAL TALE OF FICTION

This paper presents results from a survey in which employers in the Ne therlands reveal the way they select applicants. The survey uses descr iptions of fictitious lower skilled job-seekers who do not have a job; the data are analyzed by means of legit models. The results show a st rong preference for young, healthy, native (Dutch) men. Employers hard ly care about qualities as education and experience, or even about the wage rate. Questions are raised about the cost-efficiency of the obse rved preferences.