Unemployed individuals: motives, job-search competencies, and job-search constraints as predictors of job seeking and reemployment

J Appl Psychol. 1999 Dec;84(6):897-910. doi: 10.1037/0021-9010.84.6.897.

Abstract

This study investigated 3 broad classes of individual-differences variables (job-search motives, competencies, and constraints) as predictors of job-search intensity among unemployed job seekers. Also assessed was the relationship between job-search intensity and reemployment success in a longitudinal context. Results show significant relationships between the predictors employment commitment, financial hardship, job-search self-efficacy, and motivation control and the outcome job-search intensity. Support was not found for a relationship between perceived job-search constraints and job-search intensity. Motivation control was highlighted as the only lagged predictor of job-search intensity over time for those who were continuously unemployed. Job-search intensity predicted Time 2 reemployment status for the sample as a whole, but not reemployment quality for those who found jobs over the study's duration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Achievement*
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Individuality
  • Internal-External Control
  • Job Application*
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motivation*
  • Self Efficacy
  • Unemployment / psychology*