Immigrants Searching for Job Market Information on Social Media

Before arriving in Canada, immigrants face information gaps and must choose between social or traditional media when searching for jobs. Using a linear probability model, this study finds that searching for employment information on social media is positively related to labour force participation and earnings, even after controlling for post-arrival search behaviour and the actual use of the information obtained. But there is heterogeneity in the effects based on the type of information that is searched for and the search method that is used. The findings underscore that social media is an effective job search tool for immigrants.