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Online Buddies for Job Seekers: A Field Experiment

Author

Listed:
  • de Koning, Bart

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • Muller, Paul

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • Belot, Michèle

    (Cornell University)

  • Engels, Yvonne

    (UWV)

  • Fouarge, Didier

    (ROA, Maastricht University)

  • Keer, Mario

    (UWV)

  • Kircher, Philipp

    (Cornell University)

  • Phlippen, Sandra

    (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, ABN Amro)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18437
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Raj Chetty & Matthew O. Jackson & Theresa Kuchler & Johannes Stroebel & Nathaniel Hendren & Robert B. Fluegge & Sara Gong & Federico Gonzalez & Armelle Grondin & Matthew Jacob & Drew Johnston & Martin, 2022. "Social capital I: measurement and associations with economic mobility," Nature, Nature, vol. 608(7921), pages 108-121, August.
    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. Michèle Belot & Philipp Kircher & Paul Muller, 2019. "Providing Advice to Jobseekers at Low Cost: An Experimental Study on Online Advice," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 86(4), pages 1411-1447.
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    5. David Card & Jochen Kluve & Andrea Weber, 2018. "What Works? A Meta Analysis of Recent Active Labor Market Program Evaluations," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 16(3), pages 894-931.
    6. Altmann, Steffen & Glenny, Anita Marie & Mahlstedt, Robert & Sebald, Alexander, 2022. "The Direct and Indirect Effects of Online Job Search Advice," IZA Discussion Papers 15830, IZA Network @ LISER.
    7. Yannis M. Ioannides & Linda Datcher Loury, 2004. "Job Information Networks, Neighborhood Effects, and Inequality," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 42(4), pages 1056-1093, December.
    8. 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:

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

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