Identifying dimensions of job search strategy: A validation of measurement scale

Abstract

This paper validates the scale on job search strategy by Crossley and Highhouse in the Indian context. Exploratory factor analysis followed by a confirmatory factor analysis was conducted on the responses elicited from a sample of 504 graduating students in a large business school in India. Reliability and validity scores were also calculated to ensure the psychometric stability of the scale.14items out of the original 16 items were retained for the study. Three distinct factors, namely; Focused Search Strategy (FSS), Exploratory Search Strategy (ESS), and Haphazard Search Strategy (HSS) emerged from the study, which is in sync with the extant factors reported by Crossley and Highhouse. This study highlights the importance of focused job search strategy for university students entering the job market in India. This should help final year higher education students to be better oriented towards their job search process in order to get a job in their preferred professions. This is the first study to focus on the psychometric stability of the measures for job search strategy when applied to the job seekers in emerging economies, like India. This research provides evidence that, with a few exceptions, the job search strategy scale is a valid and reliable measure amongst entry-level job seekers in India. Given the evidence, universities and career counselors in India can focus on guiding the students and job-seekers to use a focused or exploratory strategy when searching for a job.