End-line Data Collection Surveys for a Randomized Controlled Trial on a Virtual Job Fair and Job Preference Signaling in ICT Sector

Overall Bangladesh

Despite several potential economic and social advantages especially during this Covid-19 pandemic time, virtual job fairs are rarely conducted in Bangladesh and other developing countries, and their effectiveness is unknown. Hence, by conducting a randomized control trial (RCT) under the joint initiative between the Asian Development Bank, a Bangladesh online job platform, Bdjobs.com, and a research team at Florida International University, this study aims to rigorously evaluate the effectiveness of virtual job fairs in Bangladesh. Additionally, this study aims to evaluate the impacts of a job preference signaling mechanism that allows job applicants to express their true interests to employers credibly.

The ADB has chosen MOMODa FOUNDATION, which is a research-oriented development organization in Bangladesh, as the survey firm for its rich experience in project implementation in collaboration with international academic and research institutions. The MOMODa Foundation conducted two end-line surveys of employers and job seekers as the survey firm.

1st end-line survey (December 2021 -January 2022) and 2nd end-line survey (July-August 2022) have been conducted on 110 employers and 2560 jobseekers (1280 treatment and 1280 control) based on a telephonic survey of the job seekers and in-person interviews of the employers.

Project Objectives:

The purpose of the study was to rigorously evaluate the effectiveness of virtual job fairs and job preference signaling.

Sample Size:

110 employers and 2560 job seekers participated in the ICT virtual job fair organized jointly by Bdjobs.com, FIU, and ADB.

Data Collection:

The study included 110 employers and 2560 jobseekers (1280 treatment and 1280 control). 1st end-line survey has been conducted from December 2021 to January 2022 and 2nd end-line survey has been conducted from July to August 2022.

Project Outcome:

This study will help improve future virtual job fairs and job search platforms.