Playing the Hiring Game: Class-Based Emotional Experiences and Tactics in Elite Hiring

While studies have shown that graduates from elite universities enjoy high employment rates, they do not tell the story of how students different social class backgrounds experience hiring process. We address this question by interviewing upper-middle-class (UMC) and working- middle-class (WMC) Computer Science Ph.D. at prestigious who are applying for lucrative internships established technology companies. find while these aware access to "same" resources (e.g., connections insider knowledge about employers' expectations), tactics use act on their emotional process vary along lines. In short, class-based norms UMC applicants align with those employers. The majority WMC applicants, however, discuss experiencing tension between dominant values. contrast counterparts, report spending substantial amounts time preparing describe as emotionally draining. This research provides insight into burdens facing even most privileged applicants. Our findings also implications organizations should take account in practices.