This study was conducted to describe and to analyze how employers respond to information presented to them on application forms and in interviews when they make hiring decisions for entry-level jobs. The approach of the study was to observe the responses of 56 employers in the Columbus, Ohio, area to simulated hiring settings concerning youthful applicants (aged 16-25) who were seeking full-time jobs in clerical, retail, or machine trade positions. The simulations, which took place at the National Center for Research in Vocational Education, required employers to rate a number of applicants first from job applications, and then from several videotaped interviews of the job candidates. In the application screening process, the employers rated work experience, relevant vocational education courses, vocational skills, good grades, and a neatly completed application form as highest factors in leading them to consider applicants further. The results of the interview ratings show that employers especially liked in the applicants a conservative business appearance, good work attitudes, correct language and grammar skills, good expressive skills, and self-confidence. The study concluded with numerous recommendations for youth and/or youth guidance counselors, employers, and school administrators. (This executive summary condenses the data obtained in the employer seminars, but contains employer comments, scripts of the interviews, and copies of the job applications, along with descriptions of how they were rated.) (KC)