ERIC Number: EJ737829
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006-Apr
Pages: 20
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0001-8791
EISSN: N/A
Trait Affect and Job Search Outcomes
Cote, Stephane; Saks, Alan M.; Zikic, Jelena
Journal of Vocational Behavior, v68 n2 p233-252 Apr 2006
The present study examines the role of trait affect in job search. One hundred and twenty-three university students completed measures of positive and negative affectivity, conscientiousness, job search self-efficacy, job search clarity, and job search intensity during their last year of school while on the job market. At the end of the school year, participants completed the measure of job search intensity again, and indicated the number of interviews and offers they had received and whether they had accepted a full-time job. As hypothesized, positive affectivity predicted job search clarity over and above conscientiousness and job search self-efficacy. Job search clarity mediated relationships between positive affectivity and job search intensity and between job search self-efficacy and job search intensity. Negative affectivity, however, did not predict job search clarity. Job search clarity predicted job search intensity, which led to interviews, offers, and employment. The results suggest that job seekers high in positive affectivity find a job because they achieve job search clarity and, in turn, look for a job intensely.
Descriptors: Personality Traits, College Students, Self Efficacy, Labor Market, Job Applicants, Job Search Methods, Affective Behavior
Elsevier. 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32887-4800. Tel: 877-839-7126; Tel: 407-345-4020; Fax: 407-363-1354; e-mail: usjcs@elsevier.com; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2131
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A