How to Get Ahead in the Czech Republic? The Importance of Social Capital in Job Attainment After 1989

The paper focuses on the role of social networks in status attainment. Using data from the survey "Distinction and Values" (2008) which surveyed cohorts ages 30–34 authors focus on the role of parental status/class, mobilized social capital and education on achieved first job socioeconomic status (ISEI). The effect of the "strength of weak ties" failed to be proven when operationalised as the mobilization of distant and wider contacts exclusively only among members of the higher classes. Social capital was also operationalised as ISEI of the person from the circle of acquaintances (weak ties), that supplied information on first-time employment. This form of social capital contributes significantly to the attained status, namely in offspring with the middle class origin. Authors conclude that the influence of individual social capital has not vanished from the society after 1989