Variation in job search strategies: job search strategies and job retention in Louisiana

Abstract

The majority of sociological research on job search strategies has focused primarily on social networks with little attention given to all other forms of job search. Also, much of the existing literature focuses on outcomes of a job search as opposed to the search itself. This paper seeks to expand the job search literature by focusing on the characteristics that determine which job search method an individual will use and then predicting job retention as a result of the job search method. Using data from the Louisiana Job Search Survey (2002) I find that network structure has an effect on choosing personal contacts as a job search method. Particularly, having a higher proportion of weak ties in the network leads to higher probabilities of using personal contacts. I also find that job search methods vary by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. I do not find that the job search method a person uses has an effect on job retention. The overall findings suggest that job search is not determined by personal characteristics, but instead seems to be related to the situations that surround job searches.