Exploring the decision-making process of job seekers in Iberia

: insights for European startups

Abstract

The booming European startup ecosystem attracts global talent and investment. This thesis explores decision-making in the context of European startups and Iberia-based candidates. The main research questions focus on the attributes of European startups that affect job offer acceptance and the stages of the hiring process where candidates experience the most difficulties. This study conducted 10 semi-structured interviews with Iberia-based young professionals who were either interested in or already working for European startups. The study found that candidates primarily use job portals, company websites, and referrals for job search, considering job and company characteristics, career development opportunities, and job fit when evaluating new job opportunities. Candidates have a positive view of technology as a necessary tool in the hiring process, although fairness concerns exist, and use both AI and human help in their decision-making process. Finally, the research highlights the importance of complete job information, effective communication, and feedback to reduce candidates' uncertainty and improve recruitment clarity. The findings inform recruitment strategies for startups, emphasizing optimized processes, accurate job descriptions, and a balance of AI and human assistance while ensuring fairness. However, the study's limitations suggest further research is needed, expanding sample size, using mixed research methods, and conducting in-depth interviews with diverse candidates.

Date of Award	2 Feb 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Cristina Soares Pacheco Mendonça (Supervisor)