Emotional intelligence and first time job search process

Abstract

The constant flow of new graduates each year makes the Indian job market highly competitive. Enabling these new job seekers to acquire a decent employment is a challenge to stakeholders in education. The job search process therefore merits research interest. There is a need to understand the nuances of the search process, the engagement of the first time job seeker, and the psychological resources that enable job search success. This research focuses on Emotional Intelligence (EI) and its impact on predictors and outcomes of the job search process. The major objective of this research is to understand the role of EI in the job search process. The respondents of the study are the job seekers who have found a first job but are yet to join the organization. Convenience sampling method was used. In all 830 responses were obtained. A questionnaire was especially designed for this purpose. The factor structures of the major tools used were tested using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. EI predicts coping strategies. Stepwise regression shows that EI predicts the intensity of job search where as EI does not predict the source used to collect job information and the amount of job information collected. Similarly, coping strategies predict the intensity of job search. However, they do not predict the source used to collect job information and the amount of job information collected. EI also predicts employment satisfaction index and the overall satisfaction with the job offer. Job search outcomes mediate the relationship between EI and employment quality. Academic performance does not predict job search behaviors. EI moderately predicts psychological wellbeing. Based on the results, a job search model for the first time job seekers is proposed and the model has been tested with male respondents. The model is found to be a good fit. Based on the results of the study, the implications are discussed for the various stakeholders in education.