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Noncognitive skills and job match: evidence from military applicants

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  • Elda Pema
  • Stephen Mehay
  • Simona Tick

Abstract

The study examines the effect of noncognitive skills on early career choices among young job seekers. Specifically, we analyze the influence of personality traits on the decision by military applicants either to choose the military or a civilian career option. We use a unique micro-level data-set of applicants to the US Navy and exploit the fact that many individuals who initially apply for military jobs eventually choose civilian careers instead. In this institutional setting, job candidates use new information to update their beliefs about the military job match. Personality traits are viewed as productive abilities that influence applicants’ expectations about the economic return to the job and occupational training offered by the Navy. The study finds that many of the 15 lower order personality facets associated with the Big Five traits are predictive of applicants’ job choices and provides suggestive evidence of a link between personality traits, job match expectations, and career choice.

Suggested Citation

  • Elda Pema & Stephen Mehay & Simona Tick, 2017. "Noncognitive skills and job match: evidence from military applicants," Defence and Peace Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(5), pages 511-533, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:defpea:v:28:y:2017:i:5:p:511-533
    DOI: 10.1080/10242694.2016.1234203
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Peter Fredriksson & Lena Hensvik & Oskar Nordström Skans, 2018. "Mismatch of Talent: Evidence on Match Quality, Entry Wages, and Job Mobility," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 108(11), pages 3303-3338, November.
    2. Glatt, Jordan & Wunnava, Phanindra V., 2016. "Help Not Wanted: The Dismal Science of Youth Unemployment's Scarring Effect," IZA Discussion Papers 10069, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
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