What kind of networking strategy advice should career counsellors offer university graduates searching for a job?

This study investigated the relationship between social networking and job placement of university graduates. It explored whether getting a job throug h social contacts is the consequence of an intentional investment in social capital or is related to the biographical and psychological characteristic s of the job-seeker; to what extent job-search strategies are related to th e chance of being offered a job; and, finally, the relationships between so cial networking, social support and psychological well-being. Results showe d two different approaches to the process of job entry-use of formal or inf ormal contacts in job-finding-which led to different patterns of job-seekin g strategies and employment outcomes after graduation. Significant differen ces were found between use of formal and informal sources of help relating to graduates' job-search intention and confidence in using social networks to rnd a job. No significant relationship was found between use of differen t sources of help and psychological well-being. Implications for university guidance services are discussed.