Higher Job Search Research Articles

Exploring the Impact of Situational Background, Emotional, and Job Search Variables on Coping With Unemployment by Drinking Versus Considering Self-Employment

A diverse sample of unemployed respondents completed an online survey investigating the impact of situational background, emotional and job search-related variables, and beyond controlled-for variables on two new coping with unemployment outcomes, coping by drinking, or coping by considering self-employment. The authors were able to reliably measure both types of coping outcomes. For coping by drinking the authors found that having a higher base salary when laid off, greater denial of job loss, lower positive self-assessment, and lower job search confidence led to higher coping by drinking. For coping by becoming self-employed the authors found that being unemployed longer, having a higher base salary when laid off, greater financial strain, and higher job search confidence led to higher coping by considering self-employment. These results have implications for Employee Assistance Programs.

The Influence of Gender on Job Loss Coping Behavior Among Unemployed Managers

Using the Job Loss Coping Behavior scale (JLCB; Leana & Feldman, 1992), this article examines the behaviors of 131 unemployed male and female managers in coping with their Job loss. The results indicate that the men had significantly higher job search efficacy. The article's findings suggest that women may need more help in identifying a network of colleagues and friends to assist with then‐Job search activities than men. The authors encourage employment counselors to be mindful of this finding and to help unemployed women to develop more appropriate proactive behaviors and skills that will assist them with their Job search activities.

Outcome comparisons of formal outplacement services and informal support

AbstractWhite‐collar workers were surveyed approximately three months and six months following layoffs. Approximately half of the respondents received extensive outplacement assistance while the remaining respondents, not having formal outplacement available, participated in an informal social support group sponsored by the community. Results indicate that individuals receiving formal outplacement training had higher job search self‐efficacy and were more optimistic regarding recovery from job loss than were those going to the informal social support group. While no differences were observed between the two groups on the number of job offers received after three months, members of the social support group appear to have the advantage in finding jobs comparable to their previous jobs. These findings and their implications are discussed.