scholarly journals Reducing search barriers for job seekers

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Corsetto ◽  
◽  
Simon Cooper

Programs focused on reducing job search barriers often improve job seekers’ employment outcomes. These programs can help job seekers increase their search effort, identify where and how to look for jobs, surmount geographic and financial obstacles to finding a job, and communicate qualifications to employers.

ILR Review ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 601-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry J. Holzer

Analysis of data from the New Youth Cohort of the National Longitudinal Survey yields evidence that young unemployed job seekers chose higher levels of search effort (as measured by number of methods used and time spent per method) and lower reservation wages (relative to offered wages) than did comparable employed job seekers in 1981. These differences in search choices at least partly explain differences in search outcomes between the two groups: unemployed searchers apparently were more likely than employed searchers to gain new employment, and the wages they obtained were slightly lower. The author argues that the greater search effort by unemployed job seekers is due to the higher costs of search they bear because of foregone earnings.


2021 ◽  
pp. 089484532199164
Author(s):  
Adam M. Kanar ◽  
Dave Bouckenooghe

This study aimed to understand the role of regulatory focus for influencing self-directed learning activities during a job search. The authors surveyed 185 job-searching university students at two time points to explore the conditions under which regulatory focus (promotion and prevention foci) impacts self-directed learning activities and the number of employment interviews secured. Both promotion and prevention foci showed significant relationships with self-directed learning activities and number of interviews, and positive and negative affect partially mediated these relationships. The relationships between both regulatory focus strategies and self-directed learning were also contingent on self-efficacy. More specifically, prevention focus and self-directed learning showed a positive relationship for job seekers with high levels of self-efficacy but a negative one for job seekers with low levels of self-efficacy. This research extends the understanding of the role of regulatory focus in the context of self-directed learning during a job search. Implications for research and practice are discussed.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Alberto Migliore ◽  
John Butterworth ◽  
Jeannine Pavlak ◽  
Michael Patrick ◽  
Stephen Aalto

BACKGROUND: Supporting employment consultants in their work with job seekers is critical for increasing the employment outcomes of people with disabilities. OBJECTIVE: To better understand how to leverage data for supporting employment consultants, including what metrics to track, what to do with the data, and what can be improved. METHODS: A panel of three directors of employment programs addressed these questions as part of the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) 2020 conference. RESULTS: Most employment service providers collect data for billing and compliance reporting. Innovative providers leverage data for quality improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Tracking metrics designed specifically for monitoring the implementation of effective employment supports is key for leveraging data for continuous quality improvement and thus improving job seekers’ employment outcomes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 983-1012 ◽  
Author(s):  
David S. Pedulla ◽  
Devah Pager

Racial disparities persist throughout the employment process, with African Americans experiencing significant barriers compared to whites. This article advances the understanding of racial labor market stratification by bringing new theoretical insights and original data to bear on the ways social networks shape racial disparities in employment opportunities. We develop and articulate two pathways through which networks may perpetuate racial inequality in the labor market: network access and network returns. In the first case, African American job seekers may receive fewer job leads through their social networks than white job seekers, limiting their access to employment opportunities. In the second case, black and white job seekers may utilize their social networks at similar rates, but their networks may differ in effectiveness. Our data, with detailed information about both job applications and job offers, provide the unique ability to adjudicate between these processes. We find evidence that black and white job seekers utilize their networks at similar rates, but network-based methods are less likely to lead to job offers for African Americans. We then theoretically develop and empirically test two mechanisms that may explain these differential returns: network placement and network mobilization. We conclude by discussing the implications of these findings for scholarship on racial stratification and social networks in the job search process.


2021 ◽  
pp. 0145482X2110591
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Cmar ◽  
Anne Steverson

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to describe the job-seeking and work experiences of transition-age youths with visual impairments. Methods: We analyzed follow-up data from a quasi-experimental study of a job-search intervention conducted from 2016 to 2019. Participants were 88 youths with visual impairments from three states; approximately half received the job-search intervention, and the other half served as a comparison group. Measures included job-search activities and outcomes, job-seeking barriers, volunteer and work experiences, and parental support for job-seeking. Results: Commonly reported job-search activities were preparing or revising resumes, talking to people about jobs, submitting applications, and submitting resumes, but most participants performed these activities infrequently. Many job-seekers encountered barriers during their job search, and few searches resulted in paid employment. Participants generally reported moderate levels of preparation to handle job-seeking barriers and parental support for job-seeking. Intervention and comparison participants had similar results on most measures, with few exceptions. Discussion: When youths actively search for a job but do not find one, their motivation to continue job-seeking may be reduced, particularly if their preparedness to overcome job-seeking barriers is low. Although many participants had some engagement in volunteer or work activities, short-term work experiences were the most common—and perhaps most misunderstood—work activity. Implications for practitioners: Youths with visual impairments may benefit from feedback on their job-seeking approach, application materials, and interview skills so they can make changes and determine how to focus or refocus their efforts. In addition to offering feedback, service providers can provide ongoing support to youth job-seekers and encourage them to persist in their job search. Explicit discussions about different types of work activities may help transition-age youths understand how short-term work experiences differ from paid jobs.


Author(s):  
Elizabeth L. Shoenfelt

Mastering the Job Market: Career Issues for Master’s Level Industrial-Organizational Psychologists is the definitive source for practical advice and data-based recommendations addressing key issues leading to successful careers as industrial-organizational (I-O) master’s practitioners. Both the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the American Psychological Association have reported a bright outlook for I-O master’s graduates. The increased interest in and growth of I-O master’s programs and graduates are attributed to higher visibility in the workplace, readily obtained jobs, interesting work, and great pay. A large nationwide survey of I-O master’s practitioners and their employers lays the foundation for the data-based recommendations throughout the book. Authors from top-ranked I-O master’s programs address topics such as the job search, applying for jobs, on-boarding, organizational roles, salaries, career transitions, and maintaining professionalism throughout one’s career. Critical insights into the nuts and bolts of conducting a job search and other specific strategies are provided to enable job seekers to land one or multiple job offers within six months of graduation. Competencies identified as essential for success as an I-O practitioner include core I-O knowledge and skills, as well as enabling competencies such as oral communication, business acumen, consulting skills, project management, ethics, and technical writing. Mentoring is discussed, and three best practices are recommended for maximizing mentoring relationships. Recommendations are made for professional development opportunities for I-O master’s graduates to increase their knowledge and skills and to advance their careers. Graduates overwhelmingly perceive their I-O master’s degree to be valuable for their career success.


2021 ◽  
Vol 106 (5) ◽  
pp. 657-673
Author(s):  
Allison S. Gabriel ◽  
Rebecca L. MacGowan ◽  
Mahira L. Ganster ◽  
Jerel E. Slaughter

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 551-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshie Nakai ◽  
Stephen C. Hill ◽  
Andrea F. Snell ◽  
Jared Z. Ferrell

The purpose of the current study is to explore the changes in participants’ attitude toward job search and perceived utility of training during job search interventions, called job clubs, designed for older adults. Latent growth modeling was used to examine the trajectories of these outcomes during 3-week-long job clubs. In addition, the study examined the relationship between participants’ self-regulatory skills (emotion control and motivation control) and the training outcomes. In Study 1 (20 job clubs, N = 200) and Study 2 (36 job clubs, N = 385), participants showed continuous positive change in the attitude and perceived utility of training. Although self-regulatory skills in the beginning of job club were not related to the improvement in the outcomes, dynamic measures of emotion control predicted change in attitude and motivation control predicted both attitude and perceived utility of training.


Author(s):  
Monica L. Forret

Networking is often cited as a key to job-search success; however, relatively little scholarly research on networking as a job-search behavior exists. The purpose of this chapter is to review the literature on networking and its relevance for job-search success and career management more broadly. The use of networking for both obtaining new jobs at different employers as well as advancing upward in one’s current organization is considered. This chapter describes the importance of networking for developing career competencies, how networking can enhance a job seeker’s social network, and barriers faced by women and minorities in building their social networks. The multiple ways in which networking has been measured are described, along with the antecedents and outcomes of networking behavior pertinent to job seekers. This chapter discusses the implications of networking as a job-search behavior for job seekers, career counselors, and organizations and concludes with future research suggestions for scholars.


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