The efficiency of job searching enables a timely match between those who are unemployed and places with job vacancies, thus reducing the long-term unemployment rate. Understanding the job search channels job seekers commonly use is important for helping employers announce vacancies through the appropriate channels and for helping policy makers see the disruptions in job search processes. Which job search channel to choose is partially a function of the job seeker’s personal characteristics, and knowing these determinants better enhances employers’ ability to reach the relevant candidates. This study uses the Household Labor Force Survey (HLFS, 2014-2019) micro data to investigate the relationship between individuals’ characteristics and their choice of job search channel. 

The HLFS dataset has 13 variables regarding job search channels. These channels can be categorized under two groups: active and passive (Bachmann Baumgarten, 2013). While active job search channels refer to methods where time and effort are spent, passive channels can be defined as those that wait for the results from previous active searches. This study focuses on the active job search channels those seeking paid work use, whether by applying directly to an employer; by looking for a job through friends and relatives; by applying to the Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR); by applying to a private employment agency; by looking for job advertisements in newspapers, magazines, or online; by placing or answering advertisements in newspapers; or by taking a job exam or interview. The study estimates the probability of use for each job search channel using the job seekers’ individual characteristics as explanatory variables. The study estimates the separate probit regressions models for each job search channel, with the dependent variable taking a value of 1 if the person uses that job search channel, and a value of 0 otherwise.

The study results provide valuable information for policy makers and researchers. To start with, the prevalence of the use of İŞKUR has increased over time. The results from the econometric analysis show this increase over time to also be valid after controlling for the effects of personal characteristics. In this context, İŞKUR can be considered successful in regard to how it extends its services to the unemployed. As of 2019, however, only 41% of those who were unemployed had applied to İŞKUR. Therefore, space remains for improvement with regard to İŞKUR expanding its job and vocational counseling services.

The age of the unemployed job seeker is a major determinant in the choice of the job search channel, with individuals over the age of 45 being more likely to search for a job through friends and relatives and less likely to use other job search channels. Older individuals can be expected to have a broader social circle and therefore to be more likely to search for a job through friends and relatives. However, the low probability of using other job search channels may increase the duration these individuals remain unemployed. Hence, usefulness may exist for having İŞKUR increase its efforts to reach this group. The fact that unemployed youths are less likely to apply to İŞKUR compared to the 25-44 age group indicates that efforts to reach this group may also contribute to reducing unemployment among youths. Those with less than a high school-level of education are more likely to search for a job through friends and relatives and less likely to use other channels than those with higher levels of education. The results also show women to be more likely to apply to İŞKUR and private employment offices compared to men and to be less likely to apply to employers directly or search through their friends. 

Those who are unemployed and who have just entered the labor market after finishing their studies are more likely to apply to private employment offices such as online platforms or to monitor job advertisements; however, they are less likely to apply to İŞKUR. This indicates that recent graduates have sufficient knowledge about searching for work online but to not have sufficient awareness of İŞKUR’s services. Informing students about İŞKUR’s job placement services prior to their graduation may help recent graduates find a job more easily. One alternative explanation implies that the job opportunities available through İŞKUR may not address new graduates. Another channel that new graduates are relatively less likely to use is looking for work through friends and relatives. This may be affected by the fact that new graduates have no experience in the labor market nor a sufficient environment. Expanding and supporting internship practices in education programs can enable students to gain experience in the labor market as well as expand their network.