Publication:
Overcoming Information Asymmetry in Job Search: The Power of a Reference Letter

dc.contributor.author Carranza, Eliana
dc.contributor.author Pimkina, Svetlana
dc.date.accessioned 2018-04-27T15:41:53Z
dc.date.available 2018-04-27T15:41:53Z
dc.date.issued 2018-04
dc.description.abstract The labor market is characterized by information gaps between work seekers and prospective employers, particularly when it comes to hiring low-skill entry level workers. Information asymmetries about workers’ skills can result in poorer matches, lower productivity for employers, and increased inequity for the unemployed. One approach to resolving the asymmetry is introducing a formal referral system: reference letters from former employers. The authors finds that reference letters improve firms’ screening ability and employment outcomes, especially for women. Despite their high value, the use of reference letters in job applications is low, partly due to work seekers underestimating their value. en
dc.identifier http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/508611524745860721/Overcoming-information-asymmetry-in-job-search-the-power-of-a-reference-letter
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/10986/29744
dc.language English
dc.publisher World Bank, Washington, DC
dc.relation.ispartofseries Gender Innovation Lab Policy Brief;No. 24
dc.rights CC BY 3.0 IGO
dc.rights.holder World Bank
dc.rights.uri http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo
dc.subject JOB APPLICATION
dc.subject JOB SEARCH
dc.subject YOUTH EMPLOYMENT
dc.subject LABOR MARKET
dc.subject REFERRALS
dc.subject GENDER GAP
dc.subject GENDER BIAS
dc.subject JOB REFERRAL
dc.subject WRITING SKILL
dc.subject WOMEN AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT
dc.subject AFRICA GENDER POLICY
dc.subject GENDER INNOVATION LAB
dc.title Overcoming Information Asymmetry in Job Search en
dc.title.subtitle The Power of a Reference Letter en
dc.type Brief en
dc.type Fiche fr
dc.type Resumen es
dspace.entity.type Publication
okr.date.disclosure 2018-04-26
okr.doctype Publications & Research
okr.doctype Publications & Research :: Brief
okr.docurl http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/508611524745860721/Overcoming-information-asymmetry-in-job-search-the-power-of-a-reference-letter
okr.identifier.doi 10.1596/29744
okr.identifier.externaldocumentum 090224b08595088c_1_0
okr.identifier.internaldocumentum 29841495
okr.identifier.report 125801
okr.imported true en
okr.language.supported en
okr.pdfurl http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/508611524745860721/pdf/BRI-SouthAfricaRefrenceLettersBrief-PUBLIC.pdf en
okr.region.administrative Africa
okr.region.country South Africa
okr.topic Gender :: Gender and Development
okr.topic Gender :: Gender and Poverty
okr.topic Social Protections and Labor :: Labor Markets
okr.topic Social Protections and Labor :: Skills Development and Labor Force Training
okr.unit Global Themes Department- Gender (GTGDR)
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