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Coworker Networks and the Role of Occupations in Job Finding

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  • Gyetvai, Attila

    (Banco de Portugal)

  • Zhu, Maria

    (Syracuse University)

Abstract

Which former coworkers help displaced workers find jobs? We answer this question by studying occupational similarity in job finding networks. Using matched employer-employee data from Hungary, this paper relates the unemployment duration of displaced workers to the employment rate of their former coworker networks. We find that while coworkers from all occupations are helpful in job finding, there is significant heterogeneity in effects by occupation skill-level. For workers in low-skill jobs, coworkers who worked in the same narrow occupation as the displaced worker are the most useful network contacts. For workers in high-skill jobs, coworkers from different occupations are the most useful network contacts.

Suggested Citation

  • Gyetvai, Attila & Zhu, Maria, 2021. "Coworker Networks and the Role of Occupations in Job Finding," IZA Discussion Papers 14615, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp14615
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    Cited by:

    1. Jose Garcia‐Louzao & Marta Silva, 2024. "Coworker networks and the labor market outcomes of displaced workers: Evidence from Portugal," Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 63(3), pages 389-413, July.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    networks; job search; former coworkers; unemployment duration; skill heterogeneity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search
    • D85 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Network Formation
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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