Online job search in the Spanish labor market

• Analysis of Internet job search in Spain by using bivariate probit selection models.
• Differences in job search determinants between employed and unemployed individuals.
• Online jobseekers are younger, better-educated, online proficient, and city-dweller.
• Employed and unemployed jobseekers differ by gender, nationality, and time factors.
• Evidence of digital divides in access and job search by age and education.

Using data from the Spanish survey on equipment and use of ICTs in households for the period 2007–2011, we study the decision of Spanish jobseekers to search for a job online, and explore potential differences between unemployed and employed workers. Since only those jobseekers that have accessed the Internet can perform an online job search, we use bivariate probit selection models to correct for potential selection bias. Our results show that Internet Spanish jobseekers tend to be younger, better educated, more Internet-savvy, and live in urban areas compared to those that only use traditional search channels. However, we find that employment-to-employment and unemployment-to-employment transitions differ by gender, nationality, household income, and time aggregate factors. We find evidence of a digital divide in adoption and usage by age and educational attainment. These findings suggest that policy makers and human resources managers should take into account these disparities in Internet usage to guide their public programs and recruiting strategies.