Are job seekers predisposed to job search strategies?

Purpose This study examines the associations among specific personality traits, job search strategies (JSSs) and job search outcomes. Design/methodology/approach Time-lagged data (three-waves) were collected from 528 Chinese graduating students. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings The results revealed a positive association between conscientiousness and both a focused job search strategy (FJSS) and an exploratory job search strategy (EJSS). Neuroticism was positively related to a haphazard job search strategy (HJSS), but negatively associated with both a FJSS and an EJSS. Moreover, FJSS and EJSS were positively related to both the number of job offers (NJOs) and the number of satisfied job offers (NSJOs). However, compared with FJSS, EJSS explained more variance in NJOs but less in NSJOs. Additional analysis showed a significant positive association between conscientiousness and job search intensity (JSI), but no significant relationship between neuroticism and JSI. JSI had significant associations with both NJOs and NSJOs. Further, FJSS and EJSS mediated the association between focal personality traits and both NJOs and NSJOs. Additionally, JSI also mediated the association between conscientiousness and both NJOs and NSJOs. Originality/value Previous research has confirmed that JSSs (Stevens and Turban, 2001) are consequential for important job search outcomes. However, whether fresh job seekers are predisposed to the use of JSSs is yet to be explored. This study adds to the job search literature by filling this void.

Automated summary

This study examines the associations among specific personality traits, job search strategies, and job search outcomes, finding that conscientiousness is positively associated with focused and exploratory job search strategies, while neuroticism is positively related to a haphazard job search strategy. Focused and exploratory job search strategies are positively related to job offers, with exploratory strategies explaining more variance in number of job offers but less in number of satisfied job offers. Overall, job search intensity plays a significant role in mediating the association between personality traits, job search strategies, and job search outcomes.