Women who find jobs through their networks earn more, says research from the University of Oregon. Women who found jobs through family earned $32,691 on average; those who found jobs through close friends earned $28,546; and those with no connections to their employer earned just $19,415.
Contrary to expectations, men’s “old boy network” didn’t bump up their salaries.
Another researcher at the University of British Columbia found that racial minorities’ lower salaries can largely be attributed to the fact that they were less likely to have friends in the company where they were seeking work.
Employees who did know somebody were able to command salaries that were 4.5% higher than their initial offers. Employers, the researcher surmised, were willing to offer more money to candidates with inside recommendations because they were assumed to be a better “fit” with the culture.
Insiders also help their friends by tipping them off about the salary range, how desperate the company is to fill the position– all information that helps the candidate negotiate.
The lesson for job-hunters? Network with your family and close friends.
We’ve noticed that many job-hunters just assume that family and friends know they are in the job market and know what kinds of opportunities to send their way. Instead, be sure you teach those closest to you what you’re looking for and how they can help.
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