Cycles of Influence: Affect Dynamics During the Job Search

Abstract

The job search process can be emotionally draining as one meets with challenges and setbacks during goal pursuit. This study took a dynamic perspective to the examination of affective experiences during job search and considered its significance for employment outcomes. Using basic motivation paradigms and control theory, we hypothesized that high-level activation of both positive and negative affect would have direct implications for search efforts and outcomes—a downward process—as well as positive feedback from the search environment having direct influence on future manifestation of affective experiences—an upward process. In a longitudinal study spanning 12 weeks, we found (1) past states of affectivity levels, job search effort, and interview invitation directly influenced future states, and (2) affective states, job search effort, and interview invitations dynamically influenced each other in ways that were mostly consistent with our predictions. We highlight our findings and contribution to theory.