Job Search Skills Research Articles

Empirical Study on the Influence of Internet Use on the Employability of Local College Students

Based on the data of China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) in 2020, this paper analyzes the impact of Internet use on the employability of local college students through OLS and logit regression models. The study found that the Internet has become an important tool for local college students to improve their employability. Students who actively participate in online learning, use career recruitment platforms and social media to expand career networks in local colleges and universities show stronger competitiveness in terms of professional skills, comprehensive quality and job search skills. The importance of Internet use to work, learning and information channels has a significant impact on the employability of local college students, and has a significant moderating effect. Through heterogeneity analysis, it is found that the impact of Internet use on the employability of local college students in eastern China is significantly higher than that in central and western China : the employability of college students with urban household registration is higher than that of local college students with rural household registration, and the employability of female local college students is lower than that of male local college students. Therefore, this study suggests that local colleges and universities should further guide students to make rational use of Internet resources and strengthen network literacy education, so as to better adapt to the employment market demand and promote high-quality employment of graduates.

Feasibility and Acceptability of Implementing a Job Search Intervention for Adults With Visual Impairments via Videoconferencing.

Research supports the benefits of job search interventions in improving employment outcomes for various populations, but previous studies involved face-to-face implementation and did not include adults with visual impairments. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of a job search intervention designed for synchronous distance implementation with adults with visual impairments. Two trainers implemented a 5-day job search skills training program with 12 job seekers with visual impairments, ages 22 to 63 years, via Zoom videoconferencing software. Researchers documented participant attendance and intervention fidelity during the program. Participants completed electronic surveys that included quantitative measures of cognitive load and acceptability, plus open-ended questions about their overall perceptions of the program. Attendance, intervention fidelity, and germane cognitive load were high, whereas intrinsic and extraneous cognitive load were low. Most implementation issues resulted from participants' technical difficulties, which were most prevalent on the first day. Acceptability ratings indicated high levels of engagement; relevance; interactivity; and satisfaction with the trainers, group processes, and virtual format. Participants commented on many positive aspects of the program, and some acknowledged the technical issues that occurred. The results support the acceptability and feasibility of the job search intervention. The trainers successfully implemented the program via videoconferencing with adults with visual impairments and developed a positive group atmosphere with high social support. Our findings have implications for facilitating group interventions through videoconferencing, including strategies for building group cohesion and social support.

국내 대학생의 진로개발역량에 관한 연구동향 분석

The purpose of this study was to analyze research trends on the career development competencies of college students in South Korea. A total of 25 papers were analyzed, selected from the Academic Information Service (RISS) using keywords 'undergraduate' or ‘college’ and 'career development competencies'. Key findings are as follows. First, studies on career development competencies of college students have been consistently published since 2002, peaking in 2015, primarily in education-related journals. Second, the majority of research subjects were 4-year college students. Third, most studies focused on enhancing career education by exploring the relationship between career development competencies and related variables. Fourth, in terms of research method, it was found that quantitative research conducted as cross-sectional studies were the most. Fifth, the measures of Heejin Sung and Seung-il Na(2012) were the mostly used to measure the career development competencies. In addition, the sub-factors were self-understanding, major and occupational knowledge, career decision certainty, decision-making efficacy, relationship utilization efficacy, and job search skills. Sixth, career development competencies of college students were most often used as a dependent variable and had a positive relationship with employment support service experience, career exploration behavior, employment possibility, major satisfaction, and career decision-making. Based on the research findings, several future research directions in the area of the career development competencies are provided.

Impact of mentoring on the likelihood of getting jobs in the agricultural sector in Benin

ABSTRACT This study evaluates the impact of mentoring programs on the likelihood of getting a job in the agricultural sector after a one-year experiment conducted in Benin. The program provides graduates in agriculture-related fields with capacity building (digital skills, job search skills, and interpersonal skills) – as well as the support of a professional who is either a junior (junior model) or a senior (senior model) – as they seek jobs. The evaluation framework followed a mixed-methods design that incorporated survey data and qualitative data. The findings from the randomised controlled trial (RCT) showed a positive impact of the senior mentoring model, which increased the likelihood of getting a job in the agricultural sector by 16.4 per cent. In addition, the senior mentoring model had more impact on the likelihood of getting a job for both genders with an increase of 18.7 per cent for men and 11.9 per cent for women. Furthermore, mentees valued receiving practical career-related assistance, a realistic perspective on the workplace, and psychological and emotional support. The study suggests the need for a comprehensive policy package by policymakers and the institutionalisation of a formal mentoring program by youth-serving organisations based on the senior model.

비교과 프로그램 개선을 위한 진로·취업역량 척도 개발 및 타당화

The purpose of this study is to develop a career and employment competency scale andverify its validity to improve the career and employment support extracurricular program at DUniversity. To this end, preliminary questions were extracted through literature review, openquestionnaire responses, and interviews for practitioners of the extracurricular program, and 60preliminary questions were developed through content validity verification. After that, the firstsurvey was conducted on D University students, and item analysis and exploratory factoranalysis were conducted on 556 survey response data. As a result, a scale of 38 questions wasdeveloped for five factors (career and job search, career design, job search skills, practical skills,and career collaboration). To validate the developed scale, a confirmatory factor analysis of 561students from D University showed that the model fit was good, and the final scale wascompleted by confirming the validity of the criteria through the DEU-GRIT career adaptationscale. Based on this, the significance of this study and how to use it to improve theextracurricular program of career and employment were discussed.

성인학습자의 구직역량 개발을 위한 경력별 교육요구 분석

The purpose of this study is to identify the educational needs for employment competency according to the career status of adult learners who participated in vocational education to have a job in the SW-related field. To this end, 345 adult learners who participated in SW-related vocational education at vocational training institution A were surveyed to analyze the current level and future needs of adult learners, consisting of 4 competency groups and 20 sub competencies. As a result of using the t-test and The Locus for Focus Model to check the educational needs, there was a significant difference between the current level and future needs for the entire competency group, but there was no significant difference in organizational and job commitment sub-competencies among sub-competencies. Also, if you look at the top areas with the highest educational needs, experienced learners were in the order of job document writing ability and job communication ability, and learners without experience were in the order of job search document writing ability, job decision-making ability, resource utilization ability, and self-understanding. Based on the needs of adult learners who participated in SW vocational education, systematic support measures such as customized curriculum and counseling will be available to produce SW talents with the job search skills needed by society.

A theory of planned behaviour: perspective on rehiring ex-offenders

PurposeUsing the theory of Planned Behaviour as the basis, the study investigates the impact of attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control on rehiring intention. The predictors of attitude (i.e. organisational culture, risk and government incentives) and perceived behavioural control (i.e. skills and supporting documents) were examined by expanding the TPB model.Design/methodology/approachA self-administered survey was used to gather data from Malaysian firms hiring ex-offenders. Partial Least Squares (PLS) structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to verify the study's proposed research model's hypothesis.FindingsThe SEM analysis showed attitude and subjective norm as solid predictors of rehiring intention. For attitude, organisational culture and government incentives were proven to have an impact. Besides perceived behavioural control, the skill set was a significant predictor.Practical implicationsThis study suggests that active involvement of the government to engage employers with ex-offenders through incentives (tax deductions and wage and training subsidies) and prison job fairs can increase their employment opportunities. There is also a need for formal guidelines and practices on hiring ex-offenders in organisations to promote a positive hiring culture. Establishing an employment-based re-entry unit that provides ex-offenders with various transition skill programs, such as technical skills, job search skills and life skills, is crucial for their employment prospects.Originality/valueThis study is among the pioneers in investigating ex-offenders’ rehiring agenda, specifically examining factors that influence employers' decision making. The results are relevant to managers, regulators, institutions and NGOs to structure the right interventions to ensure ex-offenders are successfully hired. It is found that Interventions aiming to increase job opportunities for ex-offenders require activities that expand community and ex-offender engagement since it reduces the social stigma and promotes more ex-offenders accepting behaviour.

The moderating effect of resilience on the effect of the caregiving burden of primary caregivers on depression: targeting primary caregivers of elderly people who use a day care center

Introduction. As family caregiving for the elderly was reaching its limit due to the continuing increase in the elderly population, day care can be said to be an intermediate stage between home care and facility care, and a system that responds well to Korea's welfare policy for the elderly, which advocates aging in place and integrated community care. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to understand the moderating effect of resilience on the effects of the caregiving burden of primary caregivers of elderly people who use day care centers on depression. Study participants and methods. The participants in this study were 304 primary caregiver of elderly people who use a day care center. 76.0% of the 304 were woman, 57.9% were middle-aged people aged 50 to 64, 41.8% of them were high school graduates. Frequency analysis, t-test, and one-way ANOVA were performed using SPSS Win 24.0, and moderating effect analysis was performed using SPSS PROCESS MACRO 3.5.4 version (Model 1). Results. The higher the independent variable, i.e., the higher the caregiving burden, the higher the depression (Coefficient=.374, p=.000), and the higher the resilience, the lower the depression (Coefficient=-.174, p=.000). The effect value of the interaction term of the dependency burden and resilience was significant as -.270 (p=.001). The F value of the model was significant as 33.667 (p=.000), and the explanatory power was 25.1%. Also as interaction terms are added. The amount of change in R2 was significant as .031 (p=.001), and the moderating effect of resilience was verified Practical significance. It was revealed that self-esteem and basic job skills are important to improve the job-search skills of middle-aged adults. Therefore, in order to support customized career design at the national level, it is suggested that vocational education programs should include not only certification courses, but also content for improving basic vocational competency and counseling for improving self-esteem.

Skills mismatch in the agricultural labour market in Benin: vertical and horizontal mismatch

ABSTRACT This study investigates skills mismatch in the agricultural labour market. Therefore, 336 agriculture employers and 654 agriculture employees were surveyed in Benin. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests . The findings showed that even though there is a good educational match for most employees, overeducation is more substantial than under education for upper agricultural high school diploma holders (DEAT) and agricultural tertiary education diploma holders. In addition, about 2% of agricultural high education diploma holders and 6.38% of DEAT holders had a job irrelevant to their field of study. The study further showed that agriculture graduates were under-skilled for the soft and digital skills under review. Moreover, training providers do not equip students with job search skills. These findings imply that vertical mismatch is more pronounced than horizontal mismatch. The study suggested a prioritisation of the implementation of training programmes based on the demand in terms of study level and field of study, an update of curricula by integrating the lacking soft, digital and job search skills, a settlement of a collaborative network between employers and training institutions, an implementation of mentoring programmes, and an investment of enterprises in the adequate training of youth as social responsability.

Hone Your Job Search Skills

Special Events GaloreVolume 22, Issue 4 p. 2-2 Articles Hone Your Job Search Skills First published: 07 March 2022 https://doi.org/10.1002/speg.31750Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume22, Issue4April 2022Pages 2-2 RelatedInformation

Transversal Competences and Employability: The Impacts of Distance Learning University According to Graduates’ Follow-Up

Since higher education qualifications and digital transition are considered key factors for economic development and individual opportunities, distance learning has been presented as a solution to improve the labor force’s skills and employability. However, such links were seldom studied systematically in specific contexts, and doubts exist regarding online programs. Based on the results of three successive follow-up surveys to the graduates of the Portuguese distance learning public university (Universidade Aberta), from 2011 to 2018 (n = 1358), our article examines the graduates’ perception of acquired transversal competences, in relation to employability and social mobility gains. The statistical analysis points out a positive perception of transversal competences development, especially analytical capacity, autonomy, and communication, although some concerns were raised regarding digital skills, teamwork, job search skills, and social capital. The impacts on employability and socioeconomic mobility are positive for most students, but variable according to analyzed competences, and tend to occur mostly through internal mobility rather than through job search skills or entrepreneurship. Although exploratory, such findings allow some final considerations regarding the effective ability of higher education distance learning to enhance economic growth and employability, through transversal competences, as well as to sketch some suggestions to improve such ability.

The mediating effect of basic vocational competency in the effect of self-esteem on job search skills of Korean middle-aged job seekers

Introduction. Middle-aged Koreans are constantly looking for jobs in order to re-employ, despite the insecurity of declining job quality and wage levels. In order to be re-employed, it is necessary to improve job-search skills. As a way to improve job search skills, the focus was on job-seekers' self-esteem and basic vocational competency. The purpose of this study is to investigate the mediating effect of vocational competency in the effect of self-esteem on job search skills. Study participants and methods. The participants in this study were 357 middle-aged job seekers aged 40 to 64 years old. 56.9% were women, 52.9% were in their 50s and 60s, and 46.2% were college graduates. 69.2% were married and 53.2% lived in small and medium-sized cities. By utilizing SPSS Win. 25.0 and PROCESS macro 3.5, descriptive statistics analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and mediating effect were analyzed. Results. First, the higher the self-esteem, the higher the basic vocational competency (r=.438, p<.001) and the job search skills (r=.497, p<.001). The higher the basic vocational competency, the job search skills (r=. 699, p<.001) was high. Second, the effect of self-esteem on job search skills was .516(p<.001), but in the model with additional basic vocational competency, it was reduced to .245(p<.001). Therefore, the mediating effect of basic vocational competency was verified. Practical significance. It was revealed that self-esteem and basic job skills are important to improve the job-search skills of middle-aged adults. Therefore, in order to support customized career design at the national level, it is suggested that vocational education programs should include not only certification courses, but also content for improving basic vocational competency and counseling for improving self-esteem.

Long-term effects of a job search intervention for transition-age youth with visual impairments

BACKGROUND: Research supports the short-term benefits of a job search intervention for youth with visual impairments, but its effectiveness over time has not been explored. OBJECTIVE: We examined the long-term effects of a research-based job search intervention on job search knowledge, job search behavior, job search self-efficacy, and employment outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal study with 92 youth with visual impairments using a two-group, quasi-experimental repeated-measures design. The intervention group received 35–40 hours of job search skills training, and the comparison group received usual services. Data collection included telephone surveys at pretest, posttest, 8-month follow-up, and 14-month follow-up. RESULTS: Intervention group participants had increases in job search knowledge, job search behavior, and job search behavior self-efficacy at posttest; they maintained increases in knowledge and self-efficacy, but not behavior. Comparison group participants also had increases in job search behavior and job search behavior self-efficacy at the end of the study. Changes in job search outcomes self-efficacy were not evident for either group; neither were differences in post-intervention employment. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention had lasting effects on job search knowledge, but findings for other outcomes over time were mixed. Both groups had low employment rates throughout the study.

Career Guidance and Counseling Needs in a Developing Country’s Context: A Qualitative Study

Career guidance and counseling (CGC) is vital for smooth career development. Pakistan is a developing country having scarce CGC services; CGC is an emerging field in the country. CGC needs of undergraduates and the services available to them have not been explored extensively through research. This study explored it through 18 semi-structured in-depth interviews with undergraduates using a convenient and snowball sampling strategy. Data were analyzed by thematic analysis. Two main themes emerged, CGC needs of undergraduates and available CGC options for undergraduates, along with 10 subthemes in total. Undergraduates needed self-awareness, direction, decision-making skills, information and guidance, emotional management, job search skills, and practical exposure. Some CGC services like one-to-one sessions, job fairs, career seminars were available but seldom utilized by undergraduates. This study has potential implications for students and career service providers regarding utilization, assessment, planning, and execution of career services in developing countries as well as future research in CGC.

Inequality in online job searching in the age of social media

ABSTRACT As hiring processes have increasingly moved online, having better digital skills could play an important role in successful job seeking. However, digital inequality suggests that people use the Internet in different ways with varying levels of skills raising questions about who is most likely to be able to search for jobs online, including on social media. This paper examines online job searching, including the role of digital job-search skills in the process. Results show that sociodemographic characteristics (i.e., age, race, education, and income) as well as online experiences, being a social media user, and having higher digital job-search skills relate to online job-seeking behaviors. These findings highlight the presence of digital inequalities in online job searching including differences by social media experiences.

Later retirement and the labor market re-integration of elderly unemployed workers

This paper studies the impact of raising the eligibility age of early retirement on the re-integration into the labor market of elderly unemployed workers. I exploit two Austrian pension reforms increasing the early retirement age step-wise for different quarter-of-birth cohorts. Empirical results based on Austrian administrative data reveal a substantial gender difference in how unemployed workers are affected by the policy change. While unemployed women only benefit little with shorter unemployment duration, modest higher re-employment probability as well as labor income after unemployment, unemployed men benefit in several aspects: although unemployment duration remains unaffected, re-employment chances, labor income and participation in active labor market policies significantly increase. Elderly unemployed workers closer to their early retirement age are systematically assigned to programs increasing their job application and job search skills, while workers more than five years away from their early retirement age are more likely to participate in programs increasing their skills. The gender difference may be explained by the nature of the pension reforms. From a policy perspective, these results suggest that increasing the early retirement age is not only a feasible way to improve the financial sustainability of public pension systems but also improves the re-integration of elderly unemployed male workers.

ACS seeks career consultants

ACS is seeking volunteer career consultants to coach chemistry professionals on job search and career development skills, including résumé preparation, interviewing techniques, making a career transition, and salary negotiation. Applicants must be a current ACS member; have an accredited degree in chemistry or one of the chemical sciences or the equivalent experience (at least 2 years of work experience in the chemical sciences); and experience in job search or career changes; and be proficient with online communications and networking tools such LinkedIn. For more information or to submit an application, visit .

Directions for improving the quality of education in Belarusian universities (sociological analysis)

Abstract Educational institutions all over the world realize the importance of promoting international cooperation. In order to stay competitive in such fields like education, research, innovations it is no longer enough to count on only internal resources. Exchange of experience, knowledge sharing, benchmarking provide possibilities for universities to constantly remain updated on modern know-hows. New opportunities for improving the quality of higher education in Belarus are provided by different international programs and projects. Among them there is the project of the EU Program ERASMUS + CBHE “University Teaching and Learning Enhancement” / UniTeLE, which has been implemented since 2019. The project coordinator is Linnaeus University (Sweden). In the framework of the ERASMUS + UniTeLE project, a consortium of Belarusian universities has conducted a higher education quality research. The purpose of this research is to identify areas for improving the quality of higher education in Belarus. The research was carried out on the basis of a sociological survey of a representative sampling of teachers, staff and students of six Belarusian universities (more than 350 respondents from Minsk, Gomel, Brest, Gorki, Polotsk, Grodno were interviewed). Both SWOT analysis of higher education quality in Belarus and focus group of possible improvement were performed. The discussion was attended by work groups of 25 leaders, teachers and students from each of the Belarusian universities of the project consortium. The following fundamental research results should be noted. Among the strengths of Belarusian universities are: specialization in the regions, the system of additional adult education, and practical experience of teachers (2/3 of respondents). 58% of respondents are confident in the advantages of innovative educational technologies used by teachers, 47% indicated a low intensity of innovation implementation. Respondents noted the high level of Hard Skills competencies of the teaching staff and insufficiently of Soft Skills competencies for both teachers and students. The respondents identified outdated educational technologies and methods and the content of curricula as the fundamental weakness of Belarusian education. The following areas of quality improvement have been identified as the most important for Belarusian universities: - the development of Soft Skills competencies of both teachers and students to provide their close interaction; - the development of Soft Skills competencies among students to provide their close interaction with employers (the development of job search skills, entrepreneurial activity); - the introduction of active teaching and learning methods, the development of interactive educational technologies; - the inсlusion of students in the process of education quality internal assessment; - systematic assessment of teachers, including the process of applying for a job, teacher academic development planning (HR management). For the practical improvement in the suggested areas, it is advisable to create Life Long Learning Centres and Centres of Academic Development of teachers in Belarusian universities, as well as a student-oriented quality assessment system. To improve the quality and competitiveness of Belarusian education, it is also advisable to develop international cooperation and networking among universities. The positive experience of such projects as TEMPUS ECOTESY, ERASMUS + UniTeLE, ERASMUS + BELL and others, can contribute to such cooperation and interaction.

A systematic review of factors related to employment in transition-age youth with visual impairments.

Individuals with visual impairments, including transition-age youth, have much lower employment rates than their peers without disabilities. We conducted a systematic review to examine the factors that predict employment in American youth with visual impairments. Research/Method: We used a three-pronged approach to identify articles via databases search, hand search, and ancestral search. We then coded all articles for study and sample characteristics, study outcomes, and study quality. Ten studies met inclusion criteria, nine of which reported secondary analysis of existing datasets. Previous work experience and postsecondary education were consistently significant positive predictors of employment across studies, with previous, self-initiated work experience being the strongest predictor. There is also some evidence for the importance of transportation and travel skills in obtaining employment. Conversely, demographic and disability characteristics generally were not significant predictors of employment. These results highlight the need to teach vocational skills, particularly job search skills, to youth with visual impairments and to support their completion of postsecondary education. Because most studies involved secondary analysis of older datasets, and five relied on the same dataset, additional research should be conducted using novel and current datasets in order to replicate and expand on these findings. Research is also needed to identify factors associated with completion of postsecondary education for youth with visual impairments as well as interventions that lead to positive postsecondary educational and employment outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Social Media as Predictor of Job Search Skills among Undergraduates of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

The study investigated the level of job search skills among undergraduates of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Osun state and determined the predictive ability social media on job search skills. It examined the influence of the social media on job search skills of undergraduates of the university, Further, it investigated the influence of demographic variables (sex, age and level) and area of specialisation on job search skills of the undergraduate students. These were with a view to providing information on the factor that could improve the job search skills of O.A.U undergraduate students.The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population for the study comprised 26,000 undergraduates of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State as at 2016/2017 academic session. The study sample comprised 496 students were selected using a multi-stage sampling procedure. Out of the thirteen faculties, four faculties were selected using simple random sampling technique. Four departments were selected from each of the selected faculties using simple random sampling technique. Purposive sampling technique was used to select graduating students (Parts 4 or 5) from each of the faculties selected. One hundred and twenty-five undergraduates were selected from each faculty, using convenience sampling technique. An instrument titled “social media of Job Search Skills” was adapted from existing standardised instruments and used to collect data. Data collected were analysed using percentage, frequency counts, mean, standard deviation, linear regression, and ordinal logistic regression.The result showed that 21.4%, 55.6% and 23.0% of undergraduates of Obafemi Awolowo University students demonstrated low, moderate and high levels of job search skills respectively. Also, the predictive ability of social media showed that social media (0.323, p< 0.000) had a significant influence on students’ job search skills. The study concluded that social media could improve the job search skills among undergraduates of OAU.