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

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  • Bächli, Mirjam

    (University of Lausanne)

  • Lalive, Rafael

    (University of Lausanne)

  • Pellizzari, Michele

    (University of Geneva)

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 and based on skill profiles assessed at study enrolment, respectively. We find that on average both types of recommendations improve job finding rates. Profile-based recommendations are especially effective for individuals with limited experience and mismatch in the prior job, while experience-based recommendations may slower 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

  • Bächli, Mirjam & Lalive, Rafael & Pellizzari, Michele, 2025. "Helping Jobseekers with Recommendations Based on Skill Profiles or Past Experience: Evidence from a Randomized Intervention," IZA Discussion Papers 17713, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17713
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andreas I. Mueller & Johannes Spinnewijn & Giorgio Topa, 2021. "Job Seekers' Perceptions and Employment Prospects: Heterogeneity, Duration Dependence, and Bias," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 111(1), pages 324-363, January.
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    5. Altmann, Steffen & Mahlstedt, Robert & Rattenborg, Malte Jacob & Sebald, Alexander, 2023. "Which Occupations Do Unemployed Workers Target? Insights from Online Job Search Profiles," IZA Discussion Papers 16696, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    6. 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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    More about this item

    Keywords

    occupation recommendations; online job search; jobseekers;
    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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