The Analysis of Success Factors for Job Seekers among Chinese University Graduates Based on Social Career Cognitive Theory

In recent years, the employment rate of Chinese university graduates has continued to decline, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. As the employment situation has become increasingly severe, job search has become one of the most important career issues for university graduates. This study aimed to explore the structural relationship between various factors that influence job-seeking outcomes for Chinese undergraduate graduates, using the self-management model in Social Cognitive Career Theory. A questionnaire survey was conducted, and 764 valid responses were collected. Using exploratory factor analysis, ten success factors were identified and validated through further factor analysis. The study confirms the applicability of the self-management model in addressing the employment challenges faced by Chinese graduates. This includes career counseling, curriculum design, professional development programs, policy-making, and employer engagement. Suggestions were made based on the ranking of the magnitude of the influence of each factor to improve the job-seeking outcomes for Chinese university students. These findings provide a theoretical basis for universities to design and implement effective employment training programs.
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