Who is more likely to find a job? A person-centred approach to the study of employability profiles among older jobseekers

Abstract

This study examined whether distinct employability profiles could be identified among a sample of older jobseekers (45 years and over) and how these profiles are associated with various job-search strategies (i.e., intensive, haphazard, exploratory and focused) and job outcomes (i.e., being employed and number of job interviews) within a time-lagged design. Using latent profile analysis on a sample of 1026 older jobseekers, three distinct profiles were identified at Time 1 (e.g., typical, well-equipped and at risk), differing in levels of perceived employability and employability-related competencies. The profiles were further associated differentially with job-search strategies, including job-search intensity as well as focused, exploratory and haphazard search behaviours. At Time 2, the profile well-equipped showed the highest likelihood to be employed despite reporting fewer job interviews, whereas the at-risk profile displayed both less adaptive job-search strategies (exploratory and focused) and the lowest re-employment prospects. In addition, perceived health and unemployment duration emerged as significant antecedents of profile membership. Taken together, these results highlight the added value of a person-centred approach for capturing heterogeneity in employability and job-search processes among older jobseekers and for better understanding the conditions under which employability translates into successful re-employment.