Flint's+Hypothesis


 * Flint Mensah ** :
 * Background: Most job applicants are more concerned about listing their qualification/experience/credentials on their resume than showing how their qualifications match the job requirement.
 * Research Questions (hypothesis): A job applicant that uses key phrases of the job posting to prepare resume is likely to be selected than one that does not.
 * Condition 1 (control): Applicant does not use key phrases in the job posting to prepare resume.
 * Condition 2: Applicant uses key phrases in the job posting to prepare resume.


 * __Jake Lindsay's Feedback:__**

I like how we have divided up the elements of finding a job without discussing it explicitly. Jaron focused on finding a job. You focused on the resume. I focused on the interview/follow-up. I think these could all work well together.

I think you need to be more specific with how you quantify your hypothesis. Using key phrases is definitely important in creating a resume. Some of this may happen though coincidentally. Perhaps we set the bar at actively selecting five key phrases in the resume?

In reference to your comment about us not focusing on the principles in the Science of Learning book, perhaps we could adapt your hypothesis. What if we were to look at the resume design process from more of a layout perspective than a content perspective? We could study how white space between paragraphs, clearly designated headers, font sizes, and organization of content affects the likelihood of receiving an interview. We could use the control as the default spacing and font sizes suggested by Word. The experimental resumes could reflect additional space between sections, larger fonts, bullets, less text, etc. Just a thought.

Jake, I totally agree with your suggestion and feel it it's worth exploring. I was actually trying to modify my previous hypothesis when I saw your post. This is what I came up with:

__**Modified Hypothesis**__


 * Background: Most job applicants do not practice answering interview questions or do not request feedback from a professional on their performance prior to job interviews
 * Research Questions (hypothesis): A job applicant that conducts a mock interview with a professional and receives constructive feedback/coaching on his or her performance will outperform one with similar qualifications that does not.
 * Condition 1 (control): Applicant conducts a mock interview with a professional and receives constructive coaching/feedback on his or her performance prior to an interview.
 * Condition 2: Applicant goes for an interview without a mock interview with a professional and does not receive constructive feedback/coaching on his or her performance.