More than a Match?

How the Right Matches are Experienced and Developed in Company-based Internships for Disadvantaged Unemployed Clients

Abstract

The right job match is a central assumption in company-based internships for disadvantaged unemployed clients, yet little research has explored how clients experience the match within their internships. Through interviews with frontline workers, employers, and disadvantaged unemployed clients, the article identifies three ways clients can match with a company: purpose, competence, and relational match. A purpose match is when clients see a clear, meaningful goal in their internship. A competence match means clients feel they master the work tasks and requirements, while a relational match involves feeling a sense of belonging and valued contribution to the company. The article refines the concept of match by differentiating the diverse needs of unemployed clients that companies must meet. These matches result from matching processes at the company where clients and employers mutually adjust during the internship. The article highlights different matching activities and company-related conditions that facilitate creating the right matches. The three matches can serve as guiding principles in implementing company-based internships, potentially enhancing the quality of internships for disadvantaged unemployed clients.