Online Buddies for Job Seekers: A Field Experiment

Bart de Koning (), Paul Muller (), Belot, Michèle (), Yvonne Engels (), Didier Fouarge (), Mario Keer (), Philipp Kircher () and Sandra Phlippen
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Bart de Koning: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Paul Muller: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Belot, Michèle: Cornell University
Yvonne Engels: UWV
Didier Fouarge: ROA, Maastricht University
Mario Keer: UWV
Philipp Kircher: Cornell University
Sandra Phlippen: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, ABN Amro

No 18437, IZA Discussion Papers from IZA Network @ LISER

Abstract: We design an online platform to connect unemployed job seekers with `buddies': former job seekers who recently found employment. We focus on job seekers who search in occupations with poor prospects and buddies who successfully switched occupations. In a randomized controlled trial, we evaluate the impact of access to the platform on labor market outcomes. We find sizable effects. Thirteen to 18 months after getting access, initially unemployed job seekers are 6 percentage points (11%) more likely to be employed and earn 226 Euro more per month than those without access. The positive impact is concentrated among the long-term unemployed.

Keywords: job search; occupational mobility; randomized experiment; role models (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C93 J62 J64 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-exp and nep-lab
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