The impact of a training intervention developing Psychological Capital on job search success

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore whether training job seekers in the positive psychological resource of Psychological Capital (PsyCap) facilitates their job search activities and outcomes. Adopting a pre, post-test experimental design we developed PsyCap among job seekers and through a longitudinal design, we examined the impact of the PsyCap training on their job search success. Our findings demonstrated that more job seekers obtained employment in treatment than control condition. Moreover, those who received the PsyCap training (treatment group) had more interviews, more job offers and lower levels of job search behavior three months following the intervention compared to the control group. The important role of PsyCap in pursuing employment, as well as the practical implications of developing the positive psychological resource of PsyCap for both job seekers and career counselors are discussed.