Getting a Job: A Study of Contacts and Careers

by Mark Granovetter

This 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 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

Genres: Sociology, Economics, Nonfiction

259 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

American sociologist and professor at Stanford University who has created theories in modern sociology since the 1970s. He is best known for his work in social network theory and in economic sociology, particularly his theory on the spread of information in social networks known as "The Strength of Weak Ties" (1973).

Reviews

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

The information is mostly useful, but the academic format is tough to slog through. It could have been summarized as:
- You'll probably find out about jobs from people you've worked with before, people who you aren't particularly close to.
- Jobs are usually about 2 connections away.
- You don't have to have a huge list of close personal contacts, just make sure that people in your list kinda remember who you are. That's good enough.

[Tracey Duncan · Rating 2 out of 5]

don't read this book if you want to get a job.

[Vaughn · Rating 2 out of 5]

conceptually interesting, but what a meandering read.

[William · Rating 2 out of 5]

The fact that this was the pioneering book that established the field of economic sociology does not change the fact that trying to get through this book is a gruesomely bland process.