THE SEARCH FOR EMPLOYMENT - MOTIVATION TO ENGAGE IN A COPING BEHAVIOR

The search for employment was examined as coping through engagement in motivated behavior. A model predicting social networking and employer contact behavior was tested with a sample of persons anticipating col lege graduation. Proposed relations among behavioral antecedents were primarily drawn from Ajzen's (1985) theory of planned behavior, with t he addition of cognitively appraised challenge. Structural equations a nalysis revealed general support for hypothesized relations among atti tude, norms, perceived behavioral control, intentions, and behaviors. Cognitively appraised challenge partially mediated the effects of perc eived behavioral control on job search intentions. Significant varianc e in job search attitude was attributed to a valence by outcome expect ancy interaction. Findings may be useful in promoting job search effor ts, as well as furthering theoretical delineation of the search proces s.