Providing Advice to Job Seekers at Low Cost: An Experimental Study on Online Advice

81 Pages Posted: 8 Aug 2016

See all articles by Michèle Belot

Michèle Belot

University of Oxford - Nuffield Department of Medicine

Philipp Kircher

University of Pennsylvania - Department of Economics; IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Paul Muller

University of Gothenburg

Abstract

We develop and evaluate experimentally a novel tool that redesigns the job search process by providing tailored advice at low cost. We invited job seekers to our computer facilities for 12 consecutive weekly sessions to search for real jobs on our web interface. For half, instead of relying on their own search criteria, we use readily available labor market data to display relevant alternative occupations and associated jobs. This significantly broadens the set of jobs they consider and significantly increases their job interviews. Effects are strongest for participants who otherwise search narrowly and have been unemployed for a few months.

Keywords: online job search, occupational broadness, search design

JEL Classification: D83, J62, C93

Suggested Citation

Belot, Michèle V. K. and Kircher, Philipp and Muller, Paul, Providing Advice to Job Seekers at Low Cost: An Experimental Study on Online Advice. IZA Discussion Paper No. 10068, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2819349 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2819349

Michèle V. K. Belot (Contact Author)

University of Oxford - Nuffield Department of Medicine ( email )

New Road
Oxford, OX1 1NF
United Kingdom

Philipp Kircher

University of Pennsylvania - Department of Economics ( email )

Ronald O. Perelman Center for Political Science
133 South 36th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6297
United States
215-898-6777 (Phone)
215-573-2057 (Fax)

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

Paul Muller

University of Gothenburg ( email )

Box 640
Vasagatan 1, E-building, floor 5 & 6
Göteborg, 40530
Sweden

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