Job search research has been criticized for failing to study the dynamics and change of the job search process. Previous research has used cross-sectional designs and treated job search as a static process. As a result, job search research has failed to examine how job seekers' behaviors change during the course of their search.
This paper examined changes in job search behaviors(preparatory and active job search behavior, and job search intensity) and the effects of individual difference variables(self-esteem, self-efficacy, extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness) on job search behaviors. Data were gathered from 404 university students who had not found employment at the time of beginning of second semester and 3 months later.
The results of t-test pairs indicated that job seeking students increased their preparatory job search behavior and active job search behavior, but didn't job search intensity. The results of multiple regression showed that self-efficacy had strong relationship with preparatory and active job search behavior, and job search intensity, but self-esteem had not any relationship with them. Among big-5 personality, extroversion had relationship with active job search behavior and job search intensity, and agreeableness only with job search intensity.