Evaluate the Effectiveness of Virtual Job Fairs (ICT Sector) in Bangladesh.

Despite several potential economic and social advantages especially during this Covid-19 pandemic time, virtual job fairs are rarely conducted in Bangladesh and other developing countries, and their effectiveness is unknown. Hence, by conducting a Randomized Control Trial (RCT) under the joint initiative between the Asian Development Bank (ADB), a Bangladesh online job platform, Bdjobs.com, and a research team of Florida International University (FIU), this study aims to rigorously evaluate the effectiveness of virtual job fairs in Bangladesh. Additionally, this study aims to evaluate the impacts of a job preference signaling mechanism that allows job applicants to credibly express their true interests to employers.

The ADB has chosen MOMODa FOUNDATION, which is a research-oriented development organization in Bangladesh, as the survey firm for its rich experience in project implementation in collaboration with international academic and research institutions. As the survey firm, the MOMODa FOUNDATION will conduct two end-line surveys of employers and jobseekers.

The first phase of the project an experienced survey team from the MOMODa is ready for a pilot testing for this study. Based on the pilot testing, the MOMODa Team will assess the procedure used for testing, check product readiness for full-scale implementation, better decision on time and resources allocation, target population’s reaction to the study, and measuring success of the study. It will also give team a chance to practice activities they will use for usability test. The number of total 2560 employers survey completed which is 94.18% of the total sample.

The ADB has extended this project second phase by 2000 employers who took part in the ICT virtual job fair organized jointly by Bdjobs.com, FIU and ADB. In this phase the 1st end-line survey has been conducted from July 2022 to August 2022 and 2nd end-line survey will be conducted from January 2023 to February 2023.

The purpose of the study is to rigorously evaluate the effectiveness of virtual job fairs and job preference signaling. Project Investigator Dr. Norihiko Matsuda from the Florida International University (FIU), USA find out this research will help and improved future virtual job fairs and job search platforms.