Almost eight out of 10 people looking for work think anonymous job applications would boost their chances of getting a job, according to new research out today.

And 86% of the under-25s think blind applications would help them find a job, the research by TNS Nipo for temporary employment agency Manpower and the government’s youth unemployment taskforce shows.
Despite the results, it would be wrong to saddle employers with more red tape, said taskforce chairman Hans de Boer. ‘But if almost half of employers and 80% of jobseekers think there could be benefits, then I would say do it voluntarily.’
The taskforce was set up by the previous cabinet and is charged with combating the high unemployment rate among ethnic minority youth in particular. ‘If anonymous job applications help, then let’s do it,’ De Boer said.
Manpower itself is to begin a trial project of inviting blind applications for some 400 jobs over the next year. Manpower wants to test if ethnic minority jobseekers are more likely to be invited for an interview if applications are made without names.
The research showed that some 12% of employers consider the cultural background of applicants when assessing potential workers.
The government’s most senior advisory body SER earlier backed the introduction of anonymous job applications.