Short-Term Effectiveness of Job Search Skills Training: Comparisons by Summer Work Experience Participation

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-96
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Cmar ◽  
Michele C. McDonnall

We utilized a quasi-experimental pre-test–post-test design to assess the effects of job search skills training on job search knowledge, job search behavior, job search behavior self-efficacy, and job search outcomes self-efficacy. We also examined differences in outcomes based on participation in a vocational rehabilitation agency-sponsored summer work experience (SWE) program. Participants were 92 youth with visual impairments, ages 15 to 22 years, from three U.S. states. The intervention was an intensive job search skills training program involving 35 to 40 hr of content; 42 youth also participated in an SWE program for approximately 6 weeks. Intervention group participants significantly improved in job search knowledge, job search behavior, and job search behavior self-efficacy in contrast to comparison group participants, but results for job search outcomes self-efficacy did not differentiate the two groups. SWE participation by itself was related to increases in both self-efficacy measures, and participation in the intervention plus the SWE was related to larger increases in job search behavior self-efficacy. Results indicate that job search skills training and SWE programs may have differential effects on short-term outcomes. Rather than finding jobs for youth, practitioners could foster youths’ competence, confidence, and preparation for the future by teaching job search skills and encouraging independent job-seeking.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Cmar ◽  
Michele C. McDonnall

BACKGROUND: Research supports the short-term benefits of a job search intervention for youth with visual impairments, but its effectiveness over time has not been explored. OBJECTIVE: We examined the long-term effects of a research-based job search intervention on job search knowledge, job search behavior, job search self-efficacy, and employment outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal study with 92 youth with visual impairments using a two-group, quasi-experimental repeated-measures design. The intervention group received 35–40 hours of job search skills training, and the comparison group received usual services. Data collection included telephone surveys at pretest, posttest, 8-month follow-up, and 14-month follow-up. RESULTS: Intervention group participants had increases in job search knowledge, job search behavior, and job search behavior self-efficacy at posttest; they maintained increases in knowledge and self-efficacy, but not behavior. Comparison group participants also had increases in job search behavior and job search behavior self-efficacy at the end of the study. Changes in job search outcomes self-efficacy were not evident for either group; neither were differences in post-intervention employment. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention had lasting effects on job search knowledge, but findings for other outcomes over time were mixed. Both groups had low employment rates throughout the study.


SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 215824402110672
Author(s):  
Ruirui Lian ◽  
Wenjing Cai ◽  
Kun Chen ◽  
Hongru Shen ◽  
Xiaopei Gao ◽  
...  

The present research aims to explore the impact of mentoring relationship on college graduates’ job search behavior among Chinese undergraduate students by examining the mediator of job search intention and the moderator of job search self-efficacy. A two-wave survey study was conducted in China ( N = 594). Our findings show a positive indirect relation between mentoring and college graduates’ job search behaviors through job search intention. The graduates’ job search self-efficacy positively moderated the indirect relationship such that when job search self-efficacy was higher, the influence of mentoring on behavior via job search intention was stronger. These findings extend the literature by clarifying how and when mentoring facilitates graduates’ job search behaviors and provide practical implications for facilitating a smooth school-to-work transition in China. As the first study that empirically clarifies why (through job search intention) and when (job search self-efficacy) mentoring function is positively related to job search behavior among Chinese undergraduate students, the present study contributes to the existing mentoring and job search literature. Future research is encouraged to extend the findings by integrating theory of planned behavior (TPB) with self-regulation theory toward deepening current understanding of how and when mentoring can contribute to a student’s success in job search behavior.


2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 214-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Cmar ◽  
Michele C. McDonnall

Early work experiences predict future employment for youth with visual impairments, particularly when youth find jobs independently, but research has not supported the efficacy of sponsored work for this population. The most effective work experience programs include additional components such as job search assistance, and job search interventions are effective at improving employment outcomes. Thus, we conducted a quasi-experimental study to evaluate the effectiveness of adding job search training to a summer work experience program with 42 youth with visual impairments. Intervention group youth significantly increased job search knowledge and behavior compared with comparison group youth, and both groups increased in job search self-efficacy. Although additional research is needed, this study provides initial evidence of the job search program’s effectiveness.


2018 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doo Hun Lim ◽  
Eunjung Oh ◽  
Boreum Ju ◽  
Hae Na Kim

This study focuses on career development processes and options for older workers in South Korea and explores how career coaching enhances their career development efforts and transition needs. The purpose of this study is to investigate the structural relationship between older employees’ goal-setting, self-efficacy, and job-search behavior mediated by career coaching. A total of 249 participants were recruited in a metropolitan city in South Korea. Based on the literature review, hypotheses were developed and tested on the structural model and the following findings were revealed. First, the findings indicate a positive effect of self-efficacy on older workers’ job-search behavior. Second, the value of career coaching was found to affect older workers’ job-search behavior in the South Korean context. Third, career-goal commitment alone did not have a positive significant effect on job-search behavior, but it was influential through the mediating process of the perceived quality of the career coaching program provided by an employment center in South Korea.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (1) ◽  
pp. 15153
Author(s):  
Kuo-Yang Kao ◽  
Hui-Ting Lee ◽  
Ying-Chien Chen ◽  
Xiaocong Li ◽  
Ruirui Lian

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hossein Shahnazi ◽  
Marzieh Araban ◽  
Mahmood Karimy ◽  
Mansooreh Basiri ◽  
Ali Ghazvini ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Service satisfaction ratings from clients are a good indicator of service quality. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of communication skills and self-efficacy training for healthcare workers on clients’ satisfaction. Methods A quasi-experimental study was conducted in health centers of Saveh University of Medical Science in Iran. Primary Healthcare (PHC; N = 105) workers and service recipients (N = 364) were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group received four 90-min training sessions consisting of lecture, film screening, role-playing, and discussion group. Before and 3 months after the intervention, a multi-part questionnaire (including demographics, self-efficacy and communication skills in PHC workers; and satisfaction questionnaire in service recipients) was completed by participants in both intervention and control groups. Results PHC worker mean scores of self-efficacy and communication skills after the educational program were increased in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Also, mean satisfaction scores for service recipients of the intervention group (PHC workers) generally significantly increased compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Conclusions The educational program improved the self-efficacy, and communication skills in health workers and improved client satisfaction overall. Our results support the application of self-efficacy and communication skills training for other medical groups who wish to improve clients satisfaction as an important health services outcome.


1998 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 260-264
Author(s):  
Rajib N. Sanyal ◽  
Joao S. Neves

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