Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP17150
Authors: Acha Ben Dhia; Bruno Crpon; Esther Mbih; Louise Pauldelvaux; Bertille Picard; Vincent Pons
Abstract: We evaluate the impact of an online platform giving job seekers tips to improve their search and recommendations of new occupations and locations to target, based on their personal data and labor market data. Our experiment used an encouragement design and was conducted in collaboration with the French public employment agency. It includes 212,277 individuals. We find modest effects on search methods: the users of the platform adopt some of its tips and they are more likely to use resources provided by public employment services. However, following individual trajectories for 18 months after the intervention, we do not observe any impact on time spent looking for a job, search scope (occupational or geographical), or self-reported well-being. Most importantly, we do not find any effect on any employment outcome, whether in the short or medium run. We conclude that the enthusiasm around the potential for job-search assistance platforms to help reduce unemployment should be toned down.
Keywords: unemployment; website; information; experiment; france
JEL Codes: D83; D84; J22; J24; J62; J64
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Bob Emploi platform usage (J23) | adoption of tips (O33) |
| adoption of tips (O33) | changes in search methods (C90) |
| changes in search methods (C90) | increased likelihood of using personal networks (Z13) |
| changes in search methods (C90) | following up with recruiting firms (M51) |
| Bob Emploi platform usage (J23) | hours spent looking for a job (J29) |
| Bob Emploi platform usage (J23) | scope of job searches (J68) |
| Bob Emploi platform usage (J23) | employment outcomes (J68) |
| Bob Emploi platform usage (J23) | likelihood of finding a job (J68) |
| Bob Emploi platform usage (J23) | duration of unemployment (J64) |