Jobseekers' skills and job search behaviour.

Area of Science:

• Labor Economics
• Sociology of Work
• Human Resource Development

Background:

• Modern labor markets are characterized by rapidly changing skill requirements.
• Understanding jobseekers' skills, skill gaps, and search behaviors is crucial for effective employment services.
• Existing data often lack detailed insights into the specific skill profiles and challenges faced by diverse jobseeker populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze jobseekers' skills and identify potential skill gaps using novel linked data.
• To investigate job search behavior, including willingness to adapt skill requirements and accept wage changes.
• To inform policy makers and public employment services on supporting jobseekers in evolving labor markets.

Main Methods:

• Utilized novel linked survey and administrative data for jobseekers in Switzerland.
• Analyzed a sample of survey participants with better education and employment prospects than the general jobseeker population.
• Examined correlations between demographic factors, education, experience, and identified skill gaps.

Main Results:

• Women and older jobseekers face a higher risk of lacking essential digital skills.
• Low education and limited work experience are significant risk factors for lacking professional and interdisciplinary skills.
• Jobseekers exhibit low willingness to deviate from previous job skill requirements and are reluctant to accept wage reductions.
• Jobseekers with identified skill gaps strategically tailor their search behavior to their existing skill sets.

Conclusions:

• Targeted interventions are needed to address specific skill deficits, particularly digital skills among women and older workers.
• Employment services should consider jobseekers' reluctance to compromise on skills and wages when designing support strategies.
• Understanding how jobseekers adapt their search based on skill profiles is key to facilitating successful re-employment in dynamic labor markets.