Kate Orkin (University of Oxford)
Jobseekers' beliefs about comparative advantage and misdirected search
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4.00pm - 5.30pm (UK time)
Location: Bedford Way (26) 305
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About the event

Abstract

Worker sorting into tasks and occupations has long been recognized as an important feature of labor markets. But this sorting may be inefficient if jobseekers have imperfect information about their skills and therefore apply to jobs that poorly match their skills. To test this idea, we study two field experiments that give young South African jobseekers information on their results from standardized assessments of job-relevant skills. Information redirects jobseekers’ search toward jobs that value skills where they score relatively highly, without raising their search effort. Information also substantially raises earnings, consistent with inefficient sorting due to imperfect information.

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Online format and rules
  • The online seminars are held on Zoom and last 75 minutes; 60 minutes are allocated to the seminar and 15 minutes for discussion
  • The online seminars are held on Zoom and last 60 minutes including discussion.
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