THE Morning Bulletin asked our Facebook readers which of the following 20-year-old university graduates they would choose to employ if they were managing or owned a business.

a) Went to private school, but never worked in a casual job or part-time.

b) Grew up on the family farm (worked the farm, but not for another business).

c) Went to public school, worked casual/part-time job at supermarket throughout high school and university.

The question was posted after one of the reporters saw a story on another media outlet's website about what type of person a mining contract recruiter would hire. Their comments came after figures released from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed employers were more likely to hire someone who had worked while studying, or had grown up on a farm, over someone who didn't work while studying and went to a private school.

Jessica Kameric: I'd interview them and pick the best fit for the business, not purely based on previous job history. No wonder it's hard for young people to get a job these days, you have to have experience to get experience. Doesn't make sense.

Pardis Hudson: None. I would choose them based on how they perform on the job. Have had so many staff who did well at interview but they could not finish days work. Reliability was always an issue and these days 17 year old want to work and earn 50k or big dollars first up. They may know someone who work at mines and they want the same pay and condition. I was brought up to treat any work I did as my own business.

Maria Kalpaxis: So... Morning Bulletin, are you implying that employers should stop being specific in their requirements for their vacant positions just so they can be more equal at giving people a chance for the job.It's not going to happen.... I am A) B) and C) all of the above and more. I'm worth every cent an employer invests in having me in their team, but I lose the job at the interview because a single mum is the issue for them. So add D) would you hire a single mum who has everything you want and more and make your business grow.

Tameka Bailey: It's unfair to make a recruitment decision based on these facts. All three should be interviewed and as a business manager I would pick the applicant with the required knowledge and skills for the job and most importantly examine their motivational fit factors to ensure they align with the organisational values of the business.

Neil North: I'd pick the one who understands the business and the expectation they are required to fill.At a school leaver level, all knowledge / experience is irrelevant. I don't care if they got As in business, I don't care if they spent every afternoon bagging groceries.

Maureen Halligan: B because if they grew up on a farm they would know what hard graft was.

Samantha J Cook: A - (from hiring experience) everyone deserves the chance to start somewhere, if they're passionate, interested and willing to invest themselves into your business past education and job history is rather irrelevant.

Cheryl Javro: Hmmm... All three are clearly eligible candidates. Note - each is very young (20 years of age) and successfully completed their university degree (in minimum time, given their age). It's unlikely the position is a high level, technical one. If it is, I would expect a high level of coaching and training on the job! Looks to me that this employer got very lucky - I would interview all three, then select the one who looks like they'll fit best in the team! Overall, this question is loaded against candidate A, which is unfair! Good fortune in being born into a family with money does not preclude having a good work ethic!

Wayne Craig: attitude, aptitude and desire, no point in hiring someone that isn't willing to do whatever is necessary to get the job done, is not capable of learning the skills required and is not motivated to be the best they can be.

Tony-Janelle Pellegrinet: More information is needed. People can always look good on paper but it is when you interview them that you get a better picture.

Carmel Robinson: I know I wouldn't hire anyone for my business who has already answered this question as nobody (after scrolling and scrolling) has got the question. TMB you must be more specific. Ie: assuming you have interviewed all applicants, you have arrived at three very good fit candidates. All have studied the same subjects and have the same grades. Their only differences are the following... A, B or C. Which would you hire and why?

Surely everything doesn' have to be so hard. TMB wasn' saying that those things are ALL that you know about them. Use your brains.

PS. My answer is B or C as both have a working knowledge of work ethic and realise that money doesn' just come from a hole in the wall. In my opinion A would likely have a sense of entitlement, rather than wanting to achieve on their own merits.

I couldn' see how someone could sit back and just have their life and education paid for. As I said that' just my opinion and I know that is generalised but that, after all, was the point of the question.

Polly Reed: Those questions just reflect personal predjudices. No way to select staff.

Sam Grimshaw: Any of the 3 could be an ideal candidate, depending on what sort of business you're the boss of.

Darlene Bowen: How about how they went in their university degree. I don't understand why the majority wouldn't even consider someone that went to a private school. I would hope that people would look at the whole picture.

Chantal Booth: Not going to be a graduate at 20 are they (or did I miss something)? Interview all 3. if someone has skills but not the correct attitude they won't pass muster, if someone has a fantastic attitude and willingness then I might hire them first because they can be taught.

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