What Does Job Search Assistance Signal to Employers? Public Job Referral Schemes and Privatized Job Hunting for Long‐Term Jobseekers in Flanders

ABSTRACT This study investigates the signaling effects of job referrals by the public employment service of Flanders and job hunting by private agencies among long‐term unemployed jobseekers. Using a vignette experiment with HR representatives, we examine how different application types shape employers' perceptions. We find that long‐term unemployed candidates applying under job referral schemes are perceived as less suitable for the job and less motivated than candidates reacting directly to vacancies, but the magnitude is limited. Additionally, we find only a few indications of negative signals associated with job hunting by private agencies, which are weaker than the negative signals of referral schemes.