Job Search Behavior of the Unemployed in Russia

This work presents a unique theoretical model, which combines elements from different job search models offered in the economic literature. Job search behavior of the unemployed in Russia during the first decade of economic transformation (1994-2000) is analyzed based on the data set constructed using public records from the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS) conducted by the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina. The results show that sex, age and education are consistently significant factors for job search behavior of Russian unemployed. Surprisingly, such factors, as the presence of small children, the number of working-age adults in the household, residence in the metropolitan areas of Moscow and St. Petersburg are only significant for the search engagement decisions, but not for the selection of a particular strategy. Women and older individuals face a lower wage offer curve than men and prime-age individuals. People with secondary and college education, those who search more intensely, as well as those who accepted employment in the private sector, face a higher wage offer curve.