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

Mirjam Bächli (), Rafael Lalive () and Michele Pellizzari
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Mirjam Bächli: University of Lausanne
Rafael Lalive: University of Lausanne

No 17713, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

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.

Keywords: occupation recommendations; online job search; jobseekers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J24 J62 J64 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 30 pages
Date: 2025-02
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-exp, nep-hrm and nep-lab
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Working Paper: Helping Jobseekers with Recommendations Based on Skill Profiles or Past Experience: Evidence from a Randomized Intervention (2025)
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