Abstract

This study examined the impact of the work-nonwork interface on job search behaviour. Specifically, I investigated the effects of work-nonwork conflict and enrichment on job search intensity, job search quality, and haphazard job search, as well their indirect effects on these variables via downward and upward adjustment of job search goals. I also explored the role of three career motives, authenticity, balance, and challenge, as moderators of the relations between conflict and enrichment, and goal adjustment. Survey data were collected from 308 participants who were employed and actively looking for a new job. A correlational, sequential, time-lagged design was used, with three surveys distributed at one-week intervals. I found that conflict is positively related to haphazard job search, which is low quality job searching, whereas enrichment is positively related to job search quality, which is high quality job searching. In addition, I found that upward goal adjustment serves as a linking mechanism between enrichment and both job search intensity and quality. No support was found for the proposed moderation hypotheses, although some direct effects of career motives on job search goal adjustment were found. This research provides job seekers with insight into how their experiences with conflict and enrichment can shape their goal adjustment patterns and job search behaviours. Findings offer practical guidance on how people can adapt their behaviour to foster achievement of their goals and choose strategies to enhance the quality of their job search.