The feasibility of using online job advertisements in analyzing unmet EU demand

This paper focuses on presenting some insights from exploratory research using big data based on online job advertisements to identify vacancies that target foreign workers. Labour migrants often use networks and word of mouth to find employment (e.g. for seasonal work in agriculture, domestic services, construction); this specific demand for foreign workers will not be observed in this type of data. Yet, next to the social networks, the recruitment agencies play a key role as intermediaries and facilitators in the matching process between employers and foreign workers. Barriers such as language, cultural differences and lack of knowledge about workers’ credentials make it more difficult for employers to recruit workers across borders, and migrant networks might not always be as efficient. The analysis of online job advertisements, especially the identification of occupations for which is it difficult to find local workers, has the potential to bring more understanding about the shortages of workers and skills in the EU.