The Relevance of Job-Related Concessions for Unemployment Duration Among Recipients of Means-Tested Benefits in Germany

Abstract Unemployment strongly influences a person’s economic resources and life chances. Especially for unemployed individuals who have to rely on means-tested benefits, episodes of unemployment often go along with substantial material restrictions. Therefore, from policy perspective, measures or regulations that might shorten reduce overall are particularly important. In this paper, we analyse whether concessions regarding the characteristics job searched influence an individual’s duration. doing so, focus particular aspect availability requirements in Germany. This is fact recipients benefits almost all types jobs count as suitable employment and, therefore, obliged make job-related if offered requiring such concessions. The results indicate there no positive effect making qualification status contrast, effects wage However, searching different occupation (that does not necessarily imply concession) has comparable, finding employment. Thus, it appears being generally flexible one’s future be at least important chances