How to Optimize the Job Search Process: Development and Validation of the Job Search Quality Scale

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.

Meaning Making Process through the Career Construction Interview: A Case Study

This study examined (a) what changes career construction counseling used the Career Construction Interview (CCI), integrated with Interpersonal Process Recall (IPR) brought about on the client (b) how the IPR uncovered insights and unspoken inner experiences during career counseling, and (c) how the CCI prompted the solutions for client’s career problem. The study based on a case study with 24 years-old, the fourth-year student in a private university. Findings revealed that (a) examining role models, early recollections and motto during the CCI uncovered self-awareness and insights about the self, career indecision and motivation needed for the vocational future, (b) the IPR revealed values, the role of significant people on career decision process of the client and the need for approval from them, and (c) the CCI contributed the client’s career decision making process, motivation and taking an action. The study verified the use of the CCI and the IPR in career counseling process, theoretically and brought new, dynamic and meaning making methods to career counseling practices in higher education.

Increasing Migrants' Work Self-efficacy and Job Search Self-efficacy Perceptions by Developing Career Adaptability

Today's unstable labor market increasingly requires flexibility and adaptability to cope with the threat of unemployment. It can cause distress in people and have a more significant negative impact on fragile workers, such as migrants. This study aimed to test whether a Career Counseling intervention designed for Migrants (CCfM) can develop Career Adaptability and, therefore, both Work Self-efficacy (WSe) and Job Search Self-efficacy (JSSe) perceptions. It was conducted in Italy and involved a sample of 233 migrants, who were asked to respond to a questionnaire available in three languages (Italian, French, and English). Data analysis showed that an improvement was demonstrated in all the variables considered, namely career adaptability (including concern, control, confidence, and curiosity), WSe, and JSSe, even though the CCfM was not directly designed to increase the last one. In addition, the development of career adaptability explained the increase in migrants' WSe and JSSe, and the initial level of career adaptability was found to explain the increase in WSe due to the initial positive level of curiosity.