Reemployment

Abstract

Abstract Reemployment refers to obtaining a job after losing a paid employment position. Reemployment encompasses reinstatement and reengagement with a former employer as well as getting a new job with another employer. The process of transition from unemployment to reemployment is often very challenging. The main aspects that affect the success of reemployment can be categorised in three sets of interrelated factors. First, the personal aspects that contribute to reemployment success are the job seeker's human capital (i.e., having job‐related knowledge, skills and abilities), social capital (i.e., having a large social network of friends) and personality traits (i.e., extroversion and self‐efficacy). Age, racial, ethnic and gender discrimination may limit the reemployment success. Second, an intense job search process using a diversity of formal and informal sources of job information is associated with faster reemployment. Finally, situational aspects, such as the availability of jobs in the labour market as well as accessibility to outplacement(s) programmes and job (re)training affect the success of reemployment.