Table 1. Thematic Coding Analysis (continued) Aggregate theoretical dimensions Second-order categories First-order codes Representative quotes* Deterrents Human capital value of take that [experience] off because an integral part of “I can’t it’s experience my résumé. I take that out of my (black, female; couldn’t résumé” medicine) Screening employers blackness put a shadow over all [my résumé] then it probably “If the job I want to be (black, male; fine arts) isn’t in.” Identity-based objections have considered [whitening my résumé], except for I feel that “I my Japanese and Chinese backgrounds are really valuable to my (Asian, female; education) identity.” Belief in meritocracy I think what they [i.e., the employers in “If you’re smart… that’s which I am interested] want. So in that sense I think don’t it’s logical for someone to try to hide their racial characteristic if a (Asian, female; financial services) they’re minority.” Assumption that the targeted think is becoming more and more of a [positive] “I employer values diversity factor in selection processes these days because the workplaces [I am targeting] are becoming more diverse, and employers are putting much more value in those who [are] culturally and ethnically diverse. (Asian, male; information technology) * We report each race, gender, and targeted industry in parentheses. quoted respondent’s
Table 1. Thematic Coding Analysis (continued) Aggregate theoretical dimensions Second-order categories First-order codes Representative quotes* Deterrents Human capital value of experience “I can’t take that [experience] off because it’s an integral part of my résumé. I couldn’t take that out of my résumé” (black, female; medicine) Screening employers “If blackness put a shadow over all [my résumé] then it probably isn’t the job I want to be in.” (black, male; fine arts) Identity-based objections “I have considered [whitening my résumé], except for I feel that my Japanese and Chinese backgrounds are really valuable to my identity.” (Asian, female; education) Belief in meritocracy “If you’re smart… I think that’s what they [i.e., the employers in which I am interested] want. So in that sense I don’t think it’s logical for someone to try to hide their racial characteristic if they’re a minority.” (Asian, female; financial services) Assumption that the targeted employer values diversity “I think is becoming more and more of a [positive] factor in selection processes these days because the workplaces [I am targeting] are becoming more diverse, and employers are putting much more value in those who [are] culturally and ethnically diverse. (Asian, male; information technology) * We report each quoted respondent’s race, gender, and targeted industry in parentheses.