Flexible job search behavior among unemployed jobseekers: antecedents and outcomes

The interest in flexible job search behavior among unemployed jobseekers, i.e., the extent to which jobseekers also look for jobs that deviate from their studies and earlier work experience, has grown considerably in recent years. Both scholars and policymakers believe that this type of job search behavior is important for the unemployed and can improve their employment prospects. Up to now however, few empirical studies have focused on this topic. Consequently, little is known about who actually searches in a flexible way and whether a flexible search actually affects one’s reemployment chances.

With this study, we aim to address this gap. We distinguish three types of flexible job search behavior: flexibility with respect to pay and hierarchical level, flexibility with respect to skill use and flexibility with respect to commuting time. We examine how these types are related with situational and individual antecedents of job search behavior and with job search success.

Results indicate that especially those without a clear career plan in mind and who are less optimistic about their labor market prospects search for less paying/lower level jobs and for jobs that demand different skills. Also those who are more adaptable in the career search more often for jobs in different professions. On the other hand, individuals feeling less financially or more socially pressurized, or who are more committed to work or adaptable in the career search more for jobs that demand more extensive commuting time. Results also show that none of the three types of flexible job search behavior improves one’s reemployment success. Implications of these results are discussed.