Job Search Goal Orientation Measure

Job search quality is important for unemployed individuals pursuing reemployment. To comprehensively measure job search quality, we develop and test a 20-item Job Search Quality Scale (JSQS), using four samples of unemployed individuals (pilot sample, N=218; exploration sample, N=3372; confirmation sample, N=3372; and replication sample, N=434). Results show a four-dimensional structure, composed of (a) goal establishment and planning, (b) preparation and alignment, (c) emotion regulation and persistence, and (d) learning and improvement. Substantial evidence was found for its reliability, convergent and discriminant validity. Building job search quality’s nomological net, conscientiousness, learning goal orientation, self-efficacy, employment commitment, autonomous job search motivation, and social support emerged as positive correlates. Supporting its criterion-related validity, the JSQS predicted key job search and employment outcomes. Moreover, usefulness analyses supported its incremental validity beyond extant job search measures. Our findings have important implications for studying and measuring job search quality in future research and career counseling practice.

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Are affect and perceived stress detrimental or beneficial to job seekers? The role of learning goal orientation in job search self-regulation

Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes ◽

10.1016/j.obhdp.2014.09.007 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 125 (2) ◽

pp. 193-203 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Serge P. da Motta Veiga ◽

Daniel B. Turban

Keyword(s):

Goal Orientation ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Job Search ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Job Seekers ◽

Learning Goal ◽

Learning Goal Orientation

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The effects of goal orientation on job search and reemployment: A field experiment among unemployed job seekers.

Journal of Applied Psychology ◽

10.1037/a0017592 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 94 (6) ◽

pp. 1581-1590 ◽

Cited By ~ 60

Author(s):

Edwin A. J. van Hooft ◽

Gera Noordzij

Keyword(s):

Field Experiment ◽

Goal Orientation ◽

Job Search ◽

Job Seekers

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Employment goal commitment moderates the impact of job search goal orientation on the job search process

Career Development International ◽

10.1108/cdi-10-2016-0165 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 22 (6) ◽

pp. 659-682 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Adam Kanar

Keyword(s):

Goal Orientation ◽

Job Search ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Goal Commitment ◽

Search Process ◽

Learning Approach ◽

Job Seekers ◽

Content Type ◽

The Impact ◽

Job Searching

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to enhance the understanding of self-regulation during job search by integrating goal-orientation theory with a resource allocation framework. Design/methodology/approach The author surveyed job searching new labor market entrants at two time points and hypothesized that the effects of job seekers’ state goal orientations on indicators of self-regulation during the job search process (procrastination, anxiety, and guidance-seeking behaviors) depended on levels of employment goal commitment (EGC). Findings Results indicate that for job seekers with higher levels of EGC, a state learning-approach goal orientation (LGO) was beneficial for the job search process and a state performance-approach goal orientation (PGO) was detrimental. For job seekers with lower levels of EGC, a state LGO was detrimental to the search process, while a state PGO was beneficial. Research limitations/implications This research extends the understanding of state goal orientation in the context of job search. Future research may replicate these findings with different samples of employed and unemployed job seekers and extend this research with additional conceptualizations of resource limitations. Practical implications The present research suggests that the effectiveness of learning-approach goal-orientation training methods in the context of job search must be considered in light of individual differences in resource availability. In particular, individuals with lower resources available for job searching may benefit from interventions focusing on increasing state PGO. Originality/value The present results suggest that EGC is an important moderator of the impact of job search goal orientation on indicators of self-regulation during job search, and therefore present important boundary conditions regarding the role of state goal orientation in the job search process.

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Bridging job search and perceived employability in the labour market – a mediation model of job search, perceived employability and learning goal orientation

Journal of International Education in Business ◽

10.1108/jieb-01-2020-0008 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Zakkariya K.A. ◽

Nimmi P.M. ◽

Smitha Pradeep A.

Keyword(s):

Goal Orientation ◽

Job Search ◽

Work Experience ◽

Real Life ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Content Type ◽

Learning Goal ◽

Learning Goal Orientation ◽

Perceived Employability ◽

The Relationship

Purpose Perceived employability (PE) is considered as a significant psychological resource that aids individuals in tackling the complex career snags he/she faces. The purpose of this study is to develop and empirically test a theoretical model that explains how PE affects two types of job search behaviour (JSB) by bringing in job search learning goal orientation (JSLGO) as mediator and work experience as a moderator. The model is conceptualised in the backdrop of self-regulation theory and conservation of resource theory. Design/methodology/approach Using a cross-sectional study of 319 management graduates, the authors examined the effect of JSLGO and PE on both active and preparatory job search of graduates. Structural equation modelling (SEM) using IBM-AMOS was conducted on the cross-sectional data collected from management graduates in India. Findings An empirical analysis using SEM unravelled that JSLGO mediated the relationship between preparatory job search and PE but did not intervene in the relationship between active job search and PE. The study also looked into the moderating role of work experience and it was found to be a significant moderator in the PE and job search – active relationship. Practical implications Work experience helps students in active job search stage which can lead to quick employment gains. Real job experience could be gained through work-integrated learning and on the job training, as they will enhance the exposure of students to real-life work situations. Higher levels of JSLGO indicate a more strategic approach and aiming a quality career. Learning goal orientation training should be embedded in the curriculum, as management education is all about preparing students for the world of work. Originality/value The current research has uniquely contributed to the limited literature on the importance of developing PE amongst management graduates and its consequence on job search. The study makes an important contribution to the theory and practices on job search by enhancing our understanding of the mechanism that governs PE and JSB relationship through goal orientation.

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