The Power of Weak Ties: How Draftboard Revolutionizes Job Searching

Have you ever wondered how some people seem to hear about job openings before anyone else? The secret might be in their "weak ties." Let's explore what this means and how Draftboard uses this idea to help more people find great jobs.

What Are Weak Ties?

When we talk about networking, we often think about our close friends and coworkers. But there's a whole other group of people who can be super helpful in job searching: our weak ties.

Weak ties are people we know, but not super well. They might be:

• Friends of friends
• Old classmates, we haven't talked to in a while
• People we met once at a conference
• Distant relatives

These connections might not seem important, but they can be goldmines for job opportunities!

Why Weak Ties Matter

A famous study by Mark Granovetter found that most people get jobs through weak ties, not close friends or family. Why? Because weak ties connect us to new circles of people we wouldn't normally reach.

Think about it: your close friends probably know the same people and opportunities you do. But your weak ties? They're connected to whole new networks of people and jobs!

How Draftboard Uses Weak Ties

This is where Draftboard comes in. Our platform is built to make the most of weak ties. Here's how:

1. Anyone can be a Scout: You don't need to be a professional recruiter. If you know about a job, you can share it.
2. Easy sharing: Scouts can quickly share job openings with their entire network, including weak ties.
3. Incentives for sharing: When a hire happens through your link, you get rewarded. This encourages people to share widely, even with weak ties.
4. No gatekeepers: Unlike traditional job postings, opportunities on Draftboard can reach far beyond a company's immediate network.

Real-World Impact

The power of weak ties on Draftboard is real. For example, Sarah, a marketing professional, shared a job opening for a graphic designer at her company. The person who ended up getting hired was the cousin of Sarah's old college roommate - a classic weak tie!

A study by LinkedIn found that 70% of people hired in 2016 had a connection at the company. Draftboard takes this idea and supercharges it, making it easier than ever to tap into those valuable weak ties.

Making the Most of Weak Ties on Draftboard

Whether you're a job seeker or a Scout, here are some tips to leverage weak ties on Draftboard:

For Scouts:

1. Share widely: Don't just post jobs to your close friends. Share with everyone you know!
2. Use social media: Platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter can help you reach even more weak ties.
3. Be informative: When sharing a job, include why you think it's a great opportunity. Your enthusiasm can spark interest.

For Job Seekers:

1. Follow diverse Scouts: The more varied your network, the more diverse opportunities you'll see.
2. Engage with posts: Comment on and share job postings. This can put you on the radar of Scouts and their networks.
3. Be open to unexpected opportunities: That perfect job might come from someone you barely know!

The Future of Networking

As the job market evolves, the importance of weak ties is only growing. A report by the World Economic Forum suggests that by 2025, 85 million jobs may be displaced while 97 million new ones may emerge. In this rapidly changing landscape, having a wide network of weak ties can be a huge advantage.

Draftboard is at the forefront of this shift, creating a platform that naturally amplifies the power of weak ties. By connecting job seekers, companies, and Scouts in a fluid, incentive-driven network, we're making it easier than ever to tap into the hidden job market.

Remember, your next big career move might come from an unexpected connection. So start exploring, sharing, and engaging on Draftboard today. You never know where your weak ties might lead you!