Fostering metacognitive activities during job search: The Three Good Job Search Things intervention

Based on principles from positive psychology and broaden-and-build theory, we examined whether conducting a Three Good Job Search Things intervention can increase metacognitive activities among job seekers. We further theorize that positive affect (i.e., activating and deactivating) serves as a mediating mechanism for the effect of the reflection intervention on metacognitive activities. We designed a randomized control group pretest-posttest experimental study with three groups (i.e., Three Good Job Search Things, active control, and passive control) and two measurement times (N = 116). Results show that the Three Good Job Search Things intervention increased job seekers' metacognitive activities as compared with the passive control group, but not as compared to the active control group. However, the active control group results did not differ significantly from the passive control group. The effects of the intervention on job seekers' metacognitive activities were not mediated by enhanced positive affect. This study contributes to the job search literature by expanding our understanding of how metacognition during job search can be improved by reflecting upon one's job search process. Positive psychology interventions, including those integrated into job search training, might offer potential benefits for job seekers, influencing job search behavior while considering well-being. The Three Good Job Search Things intervention, though not significantly differing from an active reflection control group, might encourage job seekers to engage in metacognitive activities. Low-cost, online reflection interventions seem a promising tool to improve self-regulation during job search.