Skill based job recommendations and cognitive trainings to improve job search

Last registered on January 03, 2023
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Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
Skill based job recommendations and cognitive trainings to improve job search
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0010571
Initial registration date
December 10, 2022

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published
January 03, 2023, 11:17 AM EST

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Locations

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Primary Investigator

Name
Mirjam Bächli
Affiliation
University of Lausanne
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Other Primary Investigator(s)

PI Name
Rafael Lalive
PI Affiliation
University of Lausanne
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PI Name
Michele Pellizzari
PI Affiliation
University of Geneva
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PI Name
Matthias Kliegel
PI Affiliation
University of Geneva
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PI Name
Mauro Cherubini
PI Affiliation
University of Lausanne
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Additional Trial Information

Status
On going
Start date
2022-09-26
End date
2023-12-31
Keywords
Labor
Additional Keywords
job search, skill profile, job recommendations, cognitive trainings
JEL code(s)
Secondary IDs
Prior work
This trial is based on or builds upon one or more prior RCTs.
Abstract
We investigate how to improve job search by analyzing the role of job recommendations and cognitive trainings. We conduct an experiment with job seekers residing in Switzerland who are randomly allocated to different treatment arms. At study entry, each participant creates a skill profile based on survey questions and self-administered behavioral tests. To study skill profiles of occupations and job seekers, some participants receive personalized job recommendations. To study cognitive challenges in the job search, some participants receive cognitive and mindfulness trainings. We investigate the effect of these treatments on unemployment duration and skill mismatch.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Bächli, Mirjam et al. 2023. "Skill based job recommendations and cognitive trainings to improve job search." AEA RCT Registry. January 03. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.10571-1.0
Sponsors & Partners
Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
Intervention Start Date
2022-10-03
Intervention End Date
2023-08-31

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
We will estimate the impact of the treatments on our primary outcomes:
- Unemployment duration
- Skill mismatch
Primary Outcomes (explanation)
To measure unemployment duration, we will link our survey data of the study participants with administrative data on employment and unemployment provided by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs.

Skill mismatch is measured by comparing the skill requirements of an occupation relative to a participant’s skill profile. We are interested in the skill mismatch with respect to the new job in case of an unemployment exit and to the viewed job ads during the job search.

To measure the skill profile of job seekers, we conduct an evaluation of the skills based on survey questions and self-administered tests. This evaluation will be carried out at study entry (baseline evaluation), halfway through the study (mid-evaluation) and at the of the study (post-evaluation). To measure skill requirements of occupations, we rely on publicly available O*NET data. We focus on the following 12 skills: reading comprehension, time management, monitoring, fluency of ideas, memorization, inductive reasoning, category flexibility, perceptual speed, adaptability and flexibility, stress tolerance, leadership, self-control.

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
We are also interested in intermediary outcomes such as job search and cognition.
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)
We combine two types of data to measure these variables: (i) surveys conducted over the study period (baseline evaluation, mid-evaluation, post-evaluation, job search surveys, exit survey) and (ii) clicks on the pages and buttons of the study platform.

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
We randomly assign job seekers to one of four groups:
- Group receiving job recommendations with high weight on one’s skill profile (J4UH)
- Group receiving job recommendations with no weight on one’s skill profile (J4UL)
- Group receiving cognitive and relaxation trainings (COG)
- Control group
Experimental Design Details
Not available
Randomization Method
Participants are randomized by the computer when creating their user profile.
Randomization Unit
Individual randomization
Was the treatment clustered?
No

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
We do not use clusters.
Sample size: planned number of observations
We aim for 2,000 job seekers at enrollment.
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
We aim for 500 job seekers in each of the four treatment arms at enrollment.
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
Supporting Documents and Materials
IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name
HEC Ethics Committee
IRB Approval Date
2022-06-27
IRB Approval Number
N/A
Analysis Plan

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