Reflecting on one’s values increases success in job search

(Image: Pixabay CC0) Researchers show in a new study that a short reflection exercise to boost self confidence increases job search success. This holds true even for the long-term unemployed and people over 50. For many people, losing their job is not only a financial burden but also a psychological one. They are stressed, worry about their social status and begin to doubt themselves. This makes searching for a job more difficult, because those who question their value have less confidence in themselves and generally apply for positions less often and less effectively. This was the starting point of a new study that involved researchers from ETH Zurich. It shows that just a 15-minute reflection exercise to strengthen job seekers' belief in themselves increases their chances of landing a new job.