This article analyzes factors that influence the attainment of organiz
ational rank in Swedish manufacturing industry. It is argued that comp
etition for promotions is highly localized and largely restricted to t
he insiders of organizations. As a consequence, the attainment process
is likely to be idiosyncratic and strongly influenced by the particul
arities of each place of employment. In the empirical analysis, partic
ular attention is given to how an individual's likelihood of attaining
a sought-after job is influenced by the educational levels of fellow
employees. These analyses reveal substantial contextual effects, thus
supporting the idea that the attainment process is deeply embedded in
the local employment context.