2002/02/01 by Lisa Torres, Matt L. Huffman
Social Sciences · #Gender Diversity and Inequality #Labor Movements and Unions #Work-Family Balance Challenges
paper · doi:10.1080/00380237.2002.10571218
crossref issued 2002/02/01 · crossref published 2002/02/01 · crossref published-print 2002/02/01 · openalex publication_date 2002/02/01 · crossref created 2012/11/19 · crossref deposited 2020/07/16 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29 · crossref indexed 2026/07/30
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.