Job Search during the COVID-19 Crisis

Abstract

This paper measures the job-search responses to the COVID-19 pandemic using real-time data on vacancy postings and job ad views on Sweden's largest online job board. First, new vacancy postings drop by 40%, similar to the US. Second, job seekers respond by searching less intensively, to the extent that effective labour market tightness increases during the first three months after the COVID outbreak. Third, they redirect their search towards less severely hit occupations, beyond what changes in vacancies would predict. Overall, these job-search responses have the potential to amplify the labour demand shock.

Labor demand in the time of COVID-19: Evidence from vacancy postings and UI claims

“…We contribute to this literature by providing a rich glimpse into the employment picture with detailed, real-time data on job vacancies. Complementing our analysis of vacancies, Campello et al (2020) use a different source of vacancies but see a similar overall decline, adding that the decline is worse among small firms and high skill occupations while Hensvik et al (2020) show the same massive decline of postings in Sweden.…”

Reacting Quickly and Protecting Jobs: The Short-Term Impacts of the COVID-19 Lockdown on the Greek Labor Market

“…To further understand hiring dynamics during the crisis, we use daily data from two popular online job portals in Greece (www.kariera.gr and www.jobfind.gr). Following Hensvik et al (2020), we measure the changes in labor demand by the average daily inflows of new vacancies. Although we do not have evidence to assess the representativeness or coverage of these data, the number of vacancies posted on them is consistent with the sharp decline in new hires reported in ERGANI.…”

Changes in sleep schedule and chronotype due to COVID-19 restrictions and home office

“…During this period, people were not allowed to leave the house except to take care of the necessities of life (e.g., buying food or medicine) [ 2 ]. Contradictorily, the restrictions in Sweden were comparatively mild and mainly relied on voluntary compliance with the Public Health Agency’s recommendations [ 3 ]. Preschools (students under 6 years old) and compulsory schools (students under 15–16 years old) remained open, while other schools and universities implemented online teaching.…”

“…Preschools (students under 6 years old) and compulsory schools (students under 15–16 years old) remained open, while other schools and universities implemented online teaching. All business remained open as long as proper distance between people could be ensured [ 3 ]. Outdoor activities (e.g., walking in parks) were unrestricted and encouraged by authorities [ 3 ].…”

“…All business remained open as long as proper distance between people could be ensured [ 3 ]. Outdoor activities (e.g., walking in parks) were unrestricted and encouraged by authorities [ 3 ]. Considering the case numbers, the restriction measures in Germany were imposed early [ 4 ].…”