Access to higher-quality jobs may be shaped from a young age by a person’s socioeconomic status (SES). People from lower-SES backgrounds often start in lower-quality positions and experience fewer opportunities for advancement over time. New research (Zhou et al., 2026) examines the pathways through which a family’s SES shapes the constraints and resources that job seekers encounter; the study also explains how these factors influence improvements in job quality.
THE RESEARCH STUDY
The researchers surveyed over 600 young job seekers without college degrees who were receiving payouts from unemployment insurance. They examined differences in the quality of the jobs that participants held before and after unemployment. The researchers found that higher family SES was associated with fewer constraints on basic needs (e.g., housing) and more college-educated contacts in a person’s network. Job seekers facing more constraints of basic needs tended to aim for smaller wage increases in their next job; those with more college-educated networks tended to aim for larger wage increases and engage in better job-search planning.
The researchers then linked these two job search strategies (i.e., setting higher wage goals and engaging in better job-search planning) to improvements in job quality. Those who set higher wage goals saw greater wage increases between their previous and new jobs. Those who engaged in better job-search planning were more likely to obtain jobs with better benefits, promotion opportunities, and working conditions.
PRACTICAL AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS
The findings of this study suggest that socioeconomic background can shape early career mobility. For government agencies, the authors highlight the importance of targeted support for young job seekers, including helping people access employment programs, connecting them with more educated mentors, and providing guidance on setting wage goals and negotiating job offers. Policymakers may reduce barriers by addressing the constraints of basic needs (such as transportation or housing) and by considering the multi-generational effects of family SES. Organizations could expand apprenticeship programs to create clearer pathways into higher-quality jobs for workers without college degrees. For individuals, expanding professional networks and developing realistic wage goals may improve job outcomes during job transitions.
Zhou, L., Csillag, B., Wanberg, C. R., Liu, X., & Ali, A. A. (2026). Family socioeconomic status and job search: Pathways to job quality improvement for young adults without college degrees. Journal of Applied Psychology. Advance online publication.
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