Job Search Activities of University Students and Their Outcome

Abstract

Almost all students in their forth year in Japanese universities take action to get getting jobs after graduation. So far, there has been no study carried out to assess the effectiveness of their activities.

This paper focuses on their job search activities and the outcome. It is based on the data from an original questionnaire survey that was implemented for over one thousand students at over twenty universities during December 2000 and February 2001. In this paper, after a brief explanation of survey results, the determinants of activity outcome are estimated by regression analysis. In the analysis, the dependent variable is the self-appraisal scores for their own job search activities, in which a higher score means more and better focused activity. According to human capital theory, his/her academic record at university has a positive effect on a score of the dependent variable. Viewing signaling theory, his/her university ranking has a positive effect on it.

The results of the analysis are as follows. First, students who have a higher academic record or/and attend a higher ranking university tend to get a better outcome. Second, students who have strongly committed to the job search activity itself tend to achieve the aimed purpose better. Third, students who participate in a seminar at university, that is a small discussion class in seeking instructions from their supervisors, have a better outcome even if their university ranking is not so high. And finally, students who nurture job consciousness earlier tend to do better.

Based on the results, the recommendations are following two. First, it is better for students to be enthusiastic in learning and a seminar at his/her university and to tackle their job search activities in earnest. Second, universities must encourage these students' activities.