Getting a Job: A Study of Contacts and CareersThis classic study of how 282 men in the United States found their jobs not only proves "it's not what you know but who you know," but also demonstrates how social activity influences labor markets. Examining the link between job contacts and social structure, Granovetter recognizes networking as the crucial link between economists studies of labor mobility and more focused studies of an individual's motivation to find work. This second edition is updated with a new Afterword and includes Granovetter's influential article "Economic Action and Social Structure: The Problems of Embeddedness." "Who would imagine that a book with such a prosaic title as 'getting a job' could pose such provocative questions about social structure and even social policy? In a remarkably ingenious and deceptively simple analysis of data gathered from a carefully designed sample of professional, technical, and managerial employees . . . Granovetter manages to raise a number of critical issues for the economic theory of labor markets as well as for theories of social structure by exploiting the emerging 'social network' perspective."—Edward O. Laumann, American Journal of Sociology "This short volume has much to offer readers of many disciplines. . . . Granovetter demonstrates ingenuity in his design and collection of data."—Jacob Siegel, Monthly Labor Review "A fascinating exploration, for Granovetter's principal interest lies in utilizing sociological theory and method to ascertain the nature of the linkages through which labor market information is transmitted by 'friends and relatives.'"—Herbert Parnes, Industrial and Labor Relations Review |
What people are saying - Write a review
Reviews aren't verified, but Google checks for and removes fake content when it's identified
User Review - Flag as inappropriate
This book is an excellent source for any person wishing to find extensive research on the role of personal contacts in getting a job or changing jobs. This book is NOT a guide for getting a job, so if you are hoping for a book providing tips on how to get a job, this book is not for you.
Contents
Introduction | 3 |
Toward Causal Models | 23 |
Contacts and Their Information | 41 |
The Dynamics of Information Flow | 51 |
The Dynamics of Vacancy Structure | 63 |
Acquisition and Maintenance | 73 |
Career Structure | 85 |
Some Theoretical Implications | 93 |
Comparative Perspectives | 119 |
Applications | 131 |
Reconsiderations and a New Agenda | 139 |
Appendix A Design and Conduct of the Study | 183 |
Appendix B Coding Rules and Problems | 195 |
Letters and Interview Schedules | 201 |
References | 241 |
| 249 | |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
action activity actually American analysis application argue argument asked attempt behavior better career Chapter close compared connected considered depend detailed direct discussion economic effect employers employment especially example exist expect fact finding firms formal means given groups hired important income individuals industrial institutional interest internal interview involved kind labor market length less managers matching methods mobility models move nature networks occupational offer one's opening opportunities organizations particular percent period personal contacts position possible present Press problem proportion question reasons received recent recruitment relations relationships relatives replaced reported requires respondent sample shows similar situation social societies Sociology strong structure suggest survey Table theory ties tion types University vacancy various wage weak White workers York
References to this book
Bibliographic information
| Title | Getting a Job: A Study of Contacts and Careers |
| Author | Mark Granovetter |
| Publisher | University of Chicago Press, 1995 |
| ISBN | 0226305813, 9780226305813 |
| Length | 251 pages |
| Subjects | › › Business & Economics / Careers / Job Hunting Education / General |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |