A Massive LinkedIn Study Reveals Who Actually Helps You Get That Job

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September 20, 2022

Dear Reader, If you want to get a new job, don't turn to your close friends. According to the "strength of weak ties" theory, first described in 1973, your loose acquaintances are more likely to help you land a new position. Despite its influence in the field of social science, this theory lacked causal evidence—until now. Researchers have leveraged a massive dataset from LinkedIn, covering more than 20 million people over the course of five years, to prove the strength of weak ties—and to learn more about which weak ties you should cultivate during your job hunt.

Sophie Bushwick, Associate Editor, Technology

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