Career self-management of unemployed workers: the role of proactive coping in job-to-job transition Katarzyna  Slebarska and Maria Flakus Institute of Psychology, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland Abstract Purpose – Job search behavior is an important factor of an individual’s career. In this study, proactive individuals’ search for career opportunities during the transition from unemployment to employment is investigated. This investigation concentrates on the “in-between jobs” phase to better understand career transition. Proactive coping is a particularly important aspect of the transition from unemployment to work. Design/methodology/approach – Using the career self-management model and proactive coping theory, this paper establishes a conceptual model and adopts path analysis to examine the model with a sample of 208 unemployed workers from Poland. Findings – The results indicate both direct and indirect effects for proactive coping on job-seeking behavior. Unemployed job seekers, with greater proactive coping, intensify their job search behavior and increase their chances for re-employment. Practical implications – Proactive coping is an important factor in career development. The findings of this study are a promising starting point for career self-development training for unemployed workers in transition. Originality/value – Most of the training for the unemployed prepares them to react and adapt to ongoing circumstances. Our findings show the importance of being proactive during active coping with unemployment. Keywords Proactive coping, Job search behavior, Transition, Unemployed workers, Career self-management Paper type Research paper 1. Introduction Organizations no longer provide security, stability or permanence for their employees (Kost et al., 2020). Workers are experiencing higher job insecurity and an increasing amount of temporary organizational engagement. Moreover, organizations do not guarantee further employment (Bauer et al., 2007). Hence, modern employees are constantly exposed to job loss and unemployment, leading to job search, which can be considered here in relation to transition theory (Nicholson, 1984). In the organizational context, transition is broadly described in terms of socialization and career transition research (Bauer et al., 2007) as the process of changing from being an organizational outsider to an organizational insider. Therefore, career success is based on one’s ability to prepare and adapt oneself to such changes. Thus, career management, particularly career self-management, has become a crucial issue. The aim of our research is to explain the role of proactive coping in career self- management in the context of nonwork to work transition, particularly job searching. The analysis of the labor market in Poland revealed that 0.1% of the workforce are currently seeking work but with no immediate effect, and 18% of all unemployed reported the positive transition from unemployment to employment (Eurostat, 2020). Poland reflects the processes of Central and Eastern Europe. Thus, it might be considered a representative country (Sanocka and Kurpisz, 2003). It shows similarities in economic development that are common for all countries of the region. The transition process of the labor force is influenced by different factors, e.g. the share of temporary employment contracts remains high (EU Report). Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic strongly impacted the labor market and individual career development. Therefore, the unemployment rate increased to 2.95% Career self- management of unemployed workers The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at: https://www.emerald.com/insight/1746-5265.htm Received 7 June 2020 Revised 7 September 2020 14 October 2020 Accepted 15 October 2020 Baltic Journal of Management © Emerald Publishing Limited 1746-5265 DOI 10.1108/BJM-06-2020-0189