By means of quantitative research questionnaires, the purpose of this study is to find out the coping status of the master candidates of 2004 facing job-hunting pressure. Based on literature reviews, the authors believe that coping is resulted from the mutual influence between person and environment, and it is affected by social-demographic factors, social support and psychological resources. The data analysis shows that the target group adapts problem-solving and social support seeking as the primary coping strategies. The step-wise multiple regression models demonstrate that problem-solving mainly directly depends on the personal self-efficacy, self-evaluation of the job hunting advantages, and involvement in part-time work during the post-graduate studying period; social support seeking is primarily influenced by the social support using level, sex, self-confidence and personality. However, in view of the characteristics of the target group and dynamic nature of coping, the generality of this study’s results needs to be modified and verified both at the longitudinal and cross-sectional level.
