This study analyzed the potential group based on college students’ job search behavior using data from the Korea Education and Employment Panel Survey II panel after extracting an optimized group and analyzing the individual and university factors of students that affect it. Analyzing the experience of job search behavior using potential group analysis, four groups, including the “passive behavior group (60%),” “active behavior group (6%),” “professor counseling dependent group (19%),” and “professor-centered behavior group (15%)” were the most optimized. The patterns of occupational exploration behavior are presented differently depending on sex. Specifically, it was found that women had a higher probability of belonging to the “professor counseling-dependent group.” Furthermore, other variables were added to confirm different behavior patterns.
To analyze the factors influencing the latent group, logistic regression analysis was used, and the results showed that the probability of belonging to the group varied depending on self-understanding, parental relationships, school satisfaction, and school type. Finally, measures for college students’ job search behavior were discussed, and follow-up studies were suggested.