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Which Occupations Do Unemployed Workers Target? Insights from Online Job Search Profiles

Author

Listed:
  • Altmann, Steffen

    (University of Würzburg)

  • Mahlstedt, Robert

    (University of Copenhagen)

  • Rattenborg, Malte Jacob

    (University of Cologne)

  • Sebald, Alexander

    (Copenhagen Business School)

Abstract

Our study investigates the occupational job search strategies of more than 60,000 unemployed workers in Denmark. We find substantial heterogeneity in how job seekers allocate their search activities across dierent occupations, and this heterogeneity persists throughout the duration of their unemployment spell. Notably, a considerable proportion of unemployed workers (approximately 30%) search in occupations where they lack relevant experiences. Those aiming for jobs unrelated to their prior experience tend to exhibit the lowest levels of employment and earnings, despite the fact that they target occupations with generally favorable conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Altmann, Steffen & Mahlstedt, Robert & Rattenborg, Malte Jacob & Sebald, Alexander, 2023. "Which Occupations Do Unemployed Workers Target? Insights from Online Job Search Profiles," IZA Discussion Papers 16696, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16696
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. 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).

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    More about this item

    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
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness

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