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

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  • Zimmermann, Florian
  • Collischon, Matthias

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Zimmermann, Florian & Collischon, Matthias, 2026. "Women use Social Networks for Job Search more often than Men, but Men use them more intensely," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:259:y:2026:i:c:s0165176525006329
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2025.112795
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Matthias Collischon, 2019. "Is There a Glass Ceiling over Germany?," German Economic Review, Verein für Socialpolitik, vol. 20(4), pages 329-359, November.
    2. Christian Dustmann & Albrecht Glitz & Uta Schönberg & Herbert Brücker, 2016. "Referral-based Job Search Networks," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 83(2), pages 514-546.
    3. Kathleen Day & Rose Anne Devlin, 1997. "Can volunteer work help explain the male-female earnings gap?," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(6), pages 707-721.
    4. Marco Caliendo & Ricarda Schmidl & Arne Uhlendorff, 2011. "Social networks, job search methods and reservation wages: evidence for Germany," International Journal of Manpower, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 32(7), pages 796-824, October.
    5. Marco Caliendo & Ricarda Schmidl & Arne Uhlendorff, 2011. "Social networks, job search methods and reservation wages: evidence for Germany," International Journal of Manpower, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 32(7), pages 796-824, October.
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