Social Networks and Job Search Outcomes among Male and Female Professional, Technical, and Managerial Workers

Abstract

Scholars have debated whether informal or formal job search methods mediate gendered employment outcomes for women job-seekers relative to men. Existing research suggests that women are disadvantaged in terms of pay and opportunities when using personal contacts or other informal methods to secure job-related information. However, these studies have focused primarily on women in gender-typical occupations. This study contributes to the debate by asking whether women in gender-atypical occupations are also similarly disadvantaged when using contacts as a source of job information; and if so, in what ways do contacts matter? Based on a sample of male and female professional, technical, and managerial workers, we examine the role of personal networks in securing job-related information.