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Self-Regulation Training and Job Search Effort: A Natural Field Experiment within an Active Labor Market Program

Author

Listed:
  • Eva m. Berger

    (Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Germany)

  • Guenther Koenig

    (Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Germany)

  • Henning Müller

    (Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany)

  • Felix Schmidt

    (Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany)

  • Daniel Schunk

    (Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany)

Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that self-regulation plays an important role for the job finding success of unemployed persons. We conduct a randomized natural field experiment embedded in an established labor market reactivation program to examine the effect of a self-regulation training on job search effort—focusing on the effort put into preparing job applicationdocuments—of long-term unemployed participants. We find a positive treatment effect on effort operationalized as the quality of the submitted CV document as well as the probability of participants submitting their documents on time. Since the intervention comes at very low cost, a roll-out to other programs potentially has a high individual and social rate of return.

Suggested Citation

  • Eva m. Berger & Guenther Koenig & Henning Müller & Felix Schmidt & Daniel Schunk, 2017. "Self-Regulation Training and Job Search Effort: A Natural Field Experiment within an Active Labor Market Program," Working Papers 1712, Gutenberg School of Management and Economics, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz.
    • Handle: RePEc:jgu:wpaper:1712
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Active Labor Market Policy; Natural Field Experiment; Job Search Effort; Job Application Effort; Germany; Labor Market Reintegration; Unemployment; Reemployment; Self-Regulation; Non-Cognitive Skills; MCII;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments

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