Self-efficacy and locus of control as predictions of job search behaviour among unemployed individuals actively searching for employment in South Africa.

Abstract

The observed increase unemployment especially after the 2008 global recession saw an increased interest in, particularly, the antecedents of job search behaviour. Job search literature indicates that psychological factors such as self-efficacy and locus of control have positive relationship with and predict job search behaviour. Drawing a dataset from a sample of 151 active job seekers enrolled in job search workshops, the current study sought to determine whether self-efficacy and locus of control predict job search in South Africa. The results demonstrate that neither self-efficacy nor locus of control significantly predict job search behaviour. None of the demographic variables including length of unemployment was associated with job search behaviour.