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The Role of Social Networks in Getting a Job
Author(s) -
Trimble Lindsey B.,
Kmec Julie A.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
sociology compass
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 31
ISSN - 1751-9020
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-9020.2010.00353.x
Subject(s) - seekers , sociology , social capital , social network (sociolinguistics) , ethnic group , work (physics) , public relations , process (computing) , job analysis , inequality , social psychology , psychology , political science , social science , computer science , job satisfaction , world wide web , social media , engineering , law , mechanical engineering , anthropology , mathematical analysis , mathematics , operating system
This article reviews recent research on the effect s of social networks on access to job information and getting a job in the United States. Drawing on network ties from friends, family members, acquaintances, employers, or coworkers can improve the job search because individuals gain access to and make use of their network’s social capital. While this job searching strategy can result in a successful job search for some, not all job seekers benefit from reliance on social networks. We spotlight research that documents how reliance on social networks as a means to find work can actually maintain sex and racial/ethnic inequality at work. We discuss research documenting the important role social networks play in the job acquisition process. The last half of this review focuses on several new developments in the literature that promise to further our understanding of social networks’ lasting effects on employment outcomes.