Job-Seeking Behavior and Vocational Development.

Noting that job-seeking behavior, as contrasted with the processes of vocational choice and work adjustment, has been neglected in theories of vocational development, the author identifies three job seeking behavior patterns: (1) individuals exhibiting specific goals and self actualized behavior obtain desired jobs most successfully; (2) those with 'vague, confused goals and passive-dependent behavior fail to obtain desired jobs; and (3) those exhibiting a mixture of the two have a modicum of success in obtaining desired jobs. Job-seeking behavior is viewed as contingent upon two critical factors: (1) the degree of vocational choice crystallization; and (2) the individual's personal characteristics, dynamics and life style. This eaterial is integrated with G.tnzburg's and Super's theories on the process of vocational development and job-seeking behavior and is itrllf considered as a developmental process. As such, it is seen as meeting the criteria of a theory on vocational development. (Author/TL) /'$ U S. DE, OTMENT OF HEALTH. EDUCATION I WELFARE OFFICE OF EDUCATION TH.5 DOCUMENT HAS BEEN REPRODUCED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED FRO MTHE PERSON OR lob-Seeking Behavior and Vocational Development ORGANNATION O ORIGILNG IT POINTS OT O VIEW OPINIONS STATED DO N NECES F SARLY REPRESENT OFFICIAL OFFCL OF EDU Nancy D. Stevens CATION POSITION OR POLICY In the past two decades, theories of vocational development have ocused on only two areas of vocational. behavior: occupational choice and work adjustment. Consequently we understand the processes involved in choosing a career and in adjusting to work. However, the vocational behavior exhibited in job-seeking has been neglBcted and therefore we do not understand the behavioral process involved in getting a job. As a result, we do not ham a complete understanding of the total process of vocational development. Vithout knowledge about this segment of behavior, it is difficult to formulate a c,aprehensive theory of vocational development which will enable the counselor to predict the effectiveness of an individual's behavior any stage of his develpoment in all of his vocational activities. This paper will deal with the behavior exhibited by an individual when he is seeking a job. It is based ..1pon 17 years of research and observation of college and university students and alumni who nave douht employment in their chosen fields. The style of an individual's job-seeking behavior is determined by his personality dynamics and by his subsequent goal crystallization resulting from thesedynamicd. he job-seeking behavior process and the occupational choice process reflect the inaiNidual's stage of growth and development in both psychological and vocational terms. Therefore, job-seeking beharior can be viewed in terms of general developmental principles as appliei to the vocational area by Peilin. It can also be related to the process theories of vocational development expoundei by Super and Ginsberg.