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Helping jobseekers with recommendations based on skill profiles or past experience: Evidence from a randomized intervention

Author

Listed:
  • Mirjam Bächli
  • Rafael Lalive
  • Michele Pellizzari

Abstract

Searching for jobs is challenging, and online platforms increasingly aim to improve outcomes by offering personalized job recommendations. In a randomized controlled trial with over 1,250 participants, we evaluate recommendations based either on prior experience or on skill profiles assessed at study enrolment. We find that both types of recommendations tend to improve job finding rates. Profile-based recommendations are particularly effective for individuals with limited experience and mismatch in their previous employment. These findings highlight the importance of aligning job search advice with jobseekers' skills, especially for disadvantaged groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Mirjam Bächli & Rafael Lalive & Michele Pellizzari, 2025. "Helping jobseekers with recommendations based on skill profiles or past experience: Evidence from a randomized intervention," RFBerlin Discussion Paper Series 2589, ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin (RFBerlin).
    • Handle: RePEc:crm:wpaper:2589
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    2. Michèle Belot & Bart K. de Koning & Didier Fouarge & Philipp Kircher & Paul Muller & Sandra Phlippen, 2025. "Advising Job Seekers in Occupations with Poor Prospects: A Field Experiment," NBER Working Papers 33819, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Guillaume Bied & Philippe Caillou & Bruno Cr'epon & Christophe Gaillac & Elia P'erennes & Mich`ele Sebag, 2026. "A Job I Like or a Job I Can Get: Designing Job Recommender Systems Using Field Experiments," Papers 2603.21699, arXiv.org.
    4. de Koning, Bart & Muller, Paul & Belot, Michèle & Engels, Yvonne & Fouarge, Didier & Keer, Mario & Kircher, Philipp & Phlippen, Sandra, 2026. "Online Buddies for Job Seekers: A Field Experiment," IZA Discussion Papers 18437, IZA Network @ LISER.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J62 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Job, Occupational and Intergenerational Mobility; Promotion
    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search

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