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Helping Jobseekers with Recommendations Based on Skill Profiles or Past Experience: Evidence from a Randomized Intervention

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  • Mirjam Bächli
  • Rafael Lalive
  • Michele Pellizzari

Abstract

Searching for jobs is challenging, and online platforms now often offer tailored job recommendations. In a randomized controlled trial with over 1,250 participants, we evaluate recommendations based on prior experience or based on skill profiles assessed at study enrolment. We find that, on average, both types of recommendations improve job finding rates. Profile-based recommendations are particularly effective for individuals with limited experience and mismatch in the prior job, while experience-based recommendations may slow down job finding for those with limited experience but a well-matched previous job. These findings highlight the need to align job search advice with jobseekers’ skills.

Suggested Citation

  • Mirjam Bächli & Rafael Lalive & Michele Pellizzari, 2025. "Helping Jobseekers with Recommendations Based on Skill Profiles or Past Experience: Evidence from a Randomized Intervention," CESifo Working Paper Series 11702, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_11702
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mirjam Bächli & Hélène Benghalem & Doriana Tinello & Damaris Aschwanden & Sascha Zuber & Matthias Kliegel & Michele Pellizzari & Rafael Lalive, 2024. "Ranking occupations by their proximity to workers’ profiles," Swiss Journal of Economics and Statistics, Springer;Swiss Society of Economics and Statistics, vol. 160(1), pages 1-17, December.
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    4. Leuven, Edwin & Oosterbeek, Hessel, 2011. "Overeducation and Mismatch in the Labor Market," Handbook of the Economics of Education, in: Erik Hanushek & Stephen Machin & Ludger Woessmann (ed.), Handbook of the Economics of Education, edition 1, volume 4, chapter 0, pages 283-326, Elsevier.
    5. Chris Robinson, 2018. "Occupational Mobility, Occupation Distance, and Specific Human Capital," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 53(2), pages 513-551.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    jobseekers; online job search; job recommendations;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J62 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Job, Occupational and Intergenerational Mobility; Promotion
    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search

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