PERCEIVED EMPLOYABILITY AND JOB SEARCH ANXIETY AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis

Abstract

The transition from higher education to employment has become an increasingly complex developmental milestone, requiring students to translate academic knowledge, technical competencies, and psychological capital into job opportunities within volatile and automated labor markets. This systematic review provides a comprehensive synthesis of 50 peer-reviewed empirical and conceptual studies, examining the interplay between perceived employability and job search anxiety among university students. Operating across five major synthesized themes, the literature reveals that perceived employability functions as a vital psychological resource—grounded in Conservation of Resources (COR) theory and Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT)—that buffers against career distress, enhances job search self-efficacy, and fosters flourishing. However, persistent labor-market uncertainties, intense recruitment competition, and the rapid emergence of Automated Employment Decision Tools (AEDTs) and generative AI significantly elevate job search anxiety. Despite extensive general research, a critical empirical gap exists regarding final-year Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) Computer Science students—a population uniquely exposed to hyper-automated technical hiring filters, acute skill volatility, and live algorithmic evaluation. This review establishes a rigorous conceptual and empirical foundation to guide future targeted investigations within technical higher education.