occupational matching

Author
Abstract

This paper develops a model of occupational matching where, within an
occupation, information at one job may be useful for predicting the match at
other jobs. Recent developments in the theory of superprocesses are used to
derive the optimal sampling policy which predicts that those currently working
their second job within an occupation are less likely to separate from this
job then those working their first job. Also, this difference should increase
with tenure in the previous job since, for those with long tenures, it is more
likely that occupational sorting has taken place. These predictions are tested
using weekly tenure data from the National Longitudinal Survey: Youth Cohort.
Controlling for unobserved heterogeniety and employing semi-parametric
estimation techniques, it is found that one’s previous job tenure
significantly lowers the likelihood of leaving the current job only if both
jobs are of the same occupation. However, overall, occupational switchers are
more likely to leave the current job only if the tenure in the previous job is
greater than one year. Similar results are found for job quitters when the
data is analyzed using a competing risks framework.

Year of Publication
1988
Number
237
Date Published
08/1988
Publication Language
eng
Citation Key
Journal of Political Economy, Vol. 98, No. 1, February 1990
McCall, B. (1988). Occupational Matching: A Test of Sorts. Retrieved from http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dsp011z40ks82c (Original work published August 1988)
Working Papers