In an ideal world, an open position would attract perfectly qualified candidates from a diverse range of applicants. Unfortunately, when it comes to finding a job, who you know often matters more than what you know – this inefficiency in the talent market is what we refer to as the Network Gap.

Your ability to cultivate a strong network depends on your background - you’re up to 12x* more likely to have a strong network if you live in an affluent area, went to a top school and work for a prestigious company. Most people are surprised to find out that these factors play such a critical role in their ability to build a strong network, but in addition to this our new insights explore the role of gender in the strength of your professional network. The gap in the strength of networks between men and women can be seen across virtually every country in EMEA and LATAM to varying degrees. For example women in the United Kingdom are 27% less likely than men to have a strong connected network. This report explores this gap across 27 countries and most importantly includes 5 tips on gender-balanced hiring. So whether your day job focuses on recruitment or setting your talent strategy you can build a diverse and successful workforce.