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Women use Social Networks for Job Search more often than Men, but Men use them more intensely

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: • We investigate gender differences in the use of social networks for job search • We find that women use networks for job search significantly more often compared to men • However, men receive more in-depth support, such as being introduced to employers or being vouched for • The results are more pronounced among highly educated individuals Research has long highlighted the role of social capital for labor market outcomes, but gendered processes received surprisingly little attention. Employing representative German survey data, we analyze differences in job search via social networks. Contrary to expectations, we find that women report using social networks more often at the extensive margin compared to men, but men are more likely utilize networks in ways requiring more effort, such as being introduced to employers. Thus, we highlight the importance of investigating social networks in detail to understand the role of social networks for generating or sustaining gender inequalities in the labor market.

Source: Economics Letters

DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2025.112795

Authors: Florian Zimmermann, Matthias Collischon

Institution: Institut für Arbeitsmarkt und Berufsforschung

Language: English

Topic: Social Capital and Networks

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Gender equality, Reduced inequalities, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,030