Posted 11:50 a.m. Friday, Feb. 13, 2026
Economics research offers résumé insights for first-time job seekers
When you’re applying for your first job after college, it’s natural to wonder: What actually matters on my résumé? Which experiences help you stand out — and which ones don’t move the needle as much as you might think?
New research co-authored by UW-La Crosse Professor of Economics John Nunley offers answers to those questions. The study examines what leads employers to call applicants back for interviews — one of the most important steps in landing a job.
For current students preparing to enter the workforce, the findings offer clear, practical guidance on how to shape your résumé during college.
Research that mirrors the real job search
Nunley and his co-authors recently published the article “Unbundling the effects of college on first-job search: Returns to majors, minors, and extracurriculars.” The research uses a large-scale résumé audit to study how employers respond to different résumé features.
Between 2016 and 2017, the research team submitted nearly 37,000 fictitious résumés from graduating seniors to real online job postings in fields of finance, banking, insurance, marketing, sales and customer service. Each résumé was randomly assigned different characteristics — such as major, minor, internship experience, study abroad participation and computer skills — allowing the researchers to isolate which signals mattered most to employers in these fields.
The key outcome was whether a résumé received a callback, meaning an employer contacted the applicant for the next step in the hiring process.
“Callback rates matter because getting that initial call from an employer is a necessary first step. You can't get hired or negotiate a salary without it,” says Nunley. “We don't observe what happens beyond the callback, so we can't speak to hiring outcomes or wages directly. But more callbacks mean more opportunities, and more opportunities generally lead to better job matches. That makes callback rates a meaningful indicator of early career prospects.”
What the research means for your résumé
Based on the findings, here are evidence-based résumé tips for students entering the job market.
1. Study abroad can strengthen your résumé — especially for people-focused roles
Students with study abroad experience received higher callback rates, particularly for jobs that emphasize communication and interpersonal skills.
The research suggests employers value the transferable skills gained through study abroad — such as adaptability, collaboration and cross-cultural communication — rather than just the academic content.
Student takeaway: If you study abroad, be sure to highlight skills you gained that translate to the workplace, such as teamwork, problem-solving and communication.
2. Internship experience matters — but the type of internship matters more.
The study found that internships focused on social and interpersonal skills (such as sales-related roles) increased callback rates. Internships focused solely on analytical or quantitative tasks did not show the same effect in the business-oriented jobs studied.
Student takeaway: When listing internships, emphasize experiences where you worked with clients, collaborated with teams, or communicated across departments — not just technical tasks.
3. Pair programming and data skills for maximum impact
Résumés that listed both programming skills and data analysis skills received significantly more callbacks. Listing either skill alone — or basic computer skills like Microsoft Office — did not produce the same boost.
Student takeaway: If you have technical skills, show how they work together. Pair tools like Excel or data analysis with programming or statistical software to signal deeper computing expertise.
4. Your major can influence early job opportunities
Among the business-related entry-level jobs studied, Economics and Biology majors received the highest callback rates — especially in roles that value analytical thinking and interpersonal skills.
Student takeaway: Clearly list your major and connect it to relevant skills. Employers may use your major as a quick signal when evaluating first-time job seekers.
What about minors?
One surprising finding: the minors examined in the study — History and Mathematics — did not affect callback rates for the jobs included in this research.
This does not mean minors lack value overall. Instead, the results suggest that, at the résumé screening stage for certain business-related roles, employers place more weight on majors and specific skills than on minors.
Student takeaway: If you pursue a minor, be intentional about how you explain the skills it gave you — especially if they relate directly to the job you’re applying for.