A typology of job search sources: Exploring the changing nature of job search networks

Abstract

This study explored American job seekers’ network of information sources using a random sample. Results revealed a pattern that job seekers segmented information sources by social (i.e. personal and professional acquaintances, family, and friends), formal (i.e. employment agencies, printed advertisements, and career events), and online (i.e. online pages and social network sites) types. Although online sources were particularly central in the network, job seekers who used one source type did so at the expense of other types of sources. Older and poorer job seekers were more likely to use formal sources, while online sources were used more by job seekers with higher education and Internet efficacy. The discussion offers advice for job seekers and those who coach job search. This study extends strength of weak ties theory by demonstrating the importance of online sources in job search.