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Informing the Job Search: A Field Experiment in an Urban Labor Market

Author

Listed:
  • Afridi, Farzana

    (Indian Statistical Institute)

  • Sahoo, Soubhagya

    (Higher School of Economics University)

  • Sangwan, Nikita

    (Queen's University Belfast)

Abstract

We examine the impact of labor market information on beliefs, job search and employment outcomes of job seekers in urban India. Through a cluster-randomized intervention in Delhi, over 3000 men and women are randomized into a treatment group in which they are informed and assisted in accessing a job matching platform, supplemented by phone messages that deliver either non-personalized or personalized labor market information; or a control group in which neither assistance with the matching platform nor any phone messages is given. A year after intervention, men reduce overall job search while women's search shifts to online modes in both treatment groups. Although there is no impact on overall employment, we find evidence of a marginal shift in occupational structure -- away from casual jobs towards salaried work -- along with higher earnings, for women in later months. These employment impacts are relatively stronger in the personalized messaging group. We highlight the role of (mis-)beliefs about the labor market and gendered information frictions in explaining our findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Afridi, Farzana & Sahoo, Soubhagya & Sangwan, Nikita, 2026. "Informing the Job Search: A Field Experiment in an Urban Labor Market," IZA Discussion Papers 18821, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18821
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J28 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Safety; Job Satisfaction; Related Public Policy
    • J62 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Job, Occupational and Intergenerational Mobility; Promotion

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