Self-efficacy and job search success for new graduates

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between general self-efficacy (GSE), job search self-efficacy (JSSE), extraversion and job search success within a sample of new entrants in the labour market. It is hypothesised that JSSE acts as a mediator between GSE and job search success. Evaluation of the hireability – made by expert interviewers – of new entrants involved in a job interview simulation is proposed as a job search success criterion. Moreover, the moderating role of extraversion on the relationship between JSSE and job search success is explored.Design/methodology/approachData were collected on 177 graduates from an Italian university. Participants were involved in a simulation of an interview conducted by experts of the personnel selection process, who gave an evaluation. Macro PROCESS for SPSS was used to test the hypotheses.FindingsGSE has an indirect effect on job search success via JSSE. Moreover, extraversion has a moderating effect on the JSSE–job search success relationship for more extraverted job seekers.Practical implicationsJob search and counselling practitioners should consider extraversion and personal differences to improve the effectiveness of interventions aimed at fostering new entrants' self-regulatory resources and behaviours during the job search.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the existing research about the job search process by testing a new and important job search success criterion, showing that GSE could help new graduates in establishing a specific self-efficacy, such as JSSE, and demonstrating that extraversion interacts with JSSE.

Bridging job search and perceived employability in the labour market – a mediation model of job search, perceived employability and learning goal orientation

“…People with high PE who see themselves as highly employable have increased outcome assessments and are selective and do a focussed search while exploring the labor market (De Battisti et al, 2016). The above-said association could also be explained with job search self-efficacy beliefs which is an outcome of heightened PE (Berntson, 2008;Petruzziello et al, 2020) and predictor of job search process (Jung et al, 2016). Then, through the established indirect link mentioned above heightened PE could exhibit proper job search amongst graduates.…”

“…Self-regulation of emotions, effort and attention can often influence an applicant's job search outcomes (Kanar, 2017). Yet another significant finding from previous studies are the predictive roles of general self-efficacy and job search selfefficacy in job search process (Petruzziello et al, 2020). Though existing research on the concept of job search has yielded considerable knowledge about it (Jung et al, 2016;Ng and Burke, 2006;Onyishi et al, 2015;Affum-Osei, 2019), there exists a lacunae in explaining the self-regulating mechanism in job search.…”

Freelance job search during times of uncertainty: protean career orientation, career competencies and job search

“…When applied to the job search process, the SCCT's career self-management model posits that many social cognitive Freelance job search during COVID-19 pandemic factors increase individuals' job search goals, behaviors and outcomes (Lent and Brown, 2013). JSSE plays a central role in the relationship between job search antecedents and outcomes (Kim et al, 2019;Petruzziello et al, 2020). Many antecedentssuch as personality, proactivity, education, past experience, skills and social supportinfluence JSSE, which in turn increases search behaviors such as search intensity and effort, which boost the likelihood of achieving positive outcomes (Kim et al, 2019).…”

Unintended Positive Consequences of Development Centres in University Graduates

“…When graduates have a high level of self-efficacy, they are more courageous in taking risks, they make better decisions, and they are able to tackle challenges efficiently, and can set stimulating goals and commit to them. They also experience lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, and put more effort and perseverance into learning challenging tasks ( Luthans and Avolio, 2007 ; Petruzziello et al, 2021 ). As a result, graduates can benefit from impactful efforts at improving self-efficacy and employability, such as coaching and mentoring programmes, work-integrated learning methods ( Freudenberg et al, 2010 ), job shadowing, competency-based curricula ( Muraraneza et al, 2017 ), and development centres.…”