If you want a job, don’t just search hard, search systematically: A field study with career starters

After finishing school, career starters face the challenge of finding a job. Job search is a difficult process because there is no clear pathway to obtaining employment. We identify job search systematicity, in addition to job search intensity, as an important dimension of job search behaviour that may predict the likelihood of obtaining a job. Job search systematicity is defined as the extent to which people have an adaptable and persistent rather than a volatile and fortuitous approach towards job seeking. We explored whether job search systematicity relates to increased chances of obtaining employment and explored potential antecedents of job search systematicity (i.e., job search clarity, employment commitment, anticipated financial need, and affect). The results of our field study among 217 job seeking career starters using a five-wave correlational design show that job search systematicity positively relates to job attainment, controlling for job search intensity. Moreover, job search clarity, employment commitment, and activating affect (both positive and negative) were positively associated with job search systematicity. These findings extend theory by broadening the conceptualization of job search, and inform job seeking career starters and employment and career counsellors about how to approach the job search process.