Do the Long-term Unemployed Benefit from Automated Occupational Advice during Online Job Search?

Abstract In a randomised field experiment, we provide suggestions about suitable occupations to long-term unemployed job seekers. The suggestions are automatically generated, integrated in an online job search platform and fed into actual search queries. Effects on ‘reaching a cumulative earnings threshold’ and ‘finding a stable job’ are positive, large and are more pronounced for those who are longer unemployed. Treated individuals include more occupations in their search and find more jobs in recommended occupations.