This exploratory study with 178 medium-size enterprises of the Porto Alegre city, investigated approaches of selection used by employers of youngsters. An employability theoretical model was elaborated. The instrument was built after semi-structured interview with six employers to identify contextual indicators and variables. Variables present in the empirical literature were also identified. Data on education, personal characteristics, expected abilities and enterprises discretion (institutional and legal) and biodemographical. The obtained results shaped the youngster's employability profile and identified the restrictions to the employability function. The obtained empirical model, emphasizes the social-economic determinism. The Work Recruiting Programs for Youngsters will be able to use the research results to better prepare the young candidates. The data will serve as basis to work along with the employers their beliefs, values and discretion on the selection of youngsters.
Professional selection; youngster unemployment; employability
