Quotas for Women Can Improve Recruitment Procedures: Gender as a Predictor of the Frequency of Use of Passive Job Search Behavior and the Mediating Roles of Management Aspirations, Proactivity, and Career Level

In this study, among a sample of 388 participants located in German-speaking countries, from different career levels and all having an employment relationship, we examined the influence of gender on the frequency of use of different job search strategies. The main focus lies on passive job search behavior, which is considered to be an important determinant of career success. The data suggest considerable gender differences in the frequency of use of passive job search strategies. Results of mediation analyses showed that the gap between men and women became smaller with respect to the influence of proactivity and management aspirations and disappeared for individuals in leadership positions. The implications of these findings are discussed in the light of the literature and quota debate.