Excited or Relieved to Make Progress? The Role of Activated and Deactivated Affect in Job Search

Abstract

Job search is a self-regulated process during which job seekers need to adjust their affect, behaviors, and cognitions. Prior research indicates that affect influences both behaviors and meta-cognitive strategies, although most of this research has examined the valence of affect, but not its level of activation. This study extends both affect-as-information theory (Schwarz & Clore, 1983, 2003) and prior research to examine the role of changes in both activated (i.e., excitement, anxiety) and deactivated (i.e., relief, sadness) affect in job search. Furthermore, this study investigates the role of job seekers’ perceptions of their progress toward finding a job. Using weekly measures from a longitudinal sample of graduating students (n = 157), results indicate that changes in both activated negative and positive affect are positively related to job search behaviors and meta-cognitive strategies. Findings also show that changes in both deactivated positive and negative affect are either negatively or not related to these behaviors and strategies. Interestingly, perceived progress moderated the relationships between affect and job search behaviors and strategies, such that the relationships are in general weaker for job seekers who are higher in perceived progress. This study provides insights into the self-regulatory dynamics of the job search process, while also shedding light upon the role of affect and perceived progress in job search.