It's Not What You Know, But Who You Know

During my youthful, innocent days, I believed in meritocracy. It made sense that the person who is the most qualified should get the job, trophy, promotion, award, etc. 

So when my dad would recite his mantra “It’s not what you know but who you know,” he would shatter my little perfect world of meritocracy. And I didn’t like it very much. 

But, as much as I hate to admit this, my dad was right. Knowing people gets you places. It has definitely rang true in my own career. Four of the five internships I’ve had, I got my foot in the door because I knew somebody. Sometimes that somebody is family. For example, my first internship was for my uncle's start-up. Sometimes that somebody is a former or current coworker. I got my internship at Certiport because I was highly recommended by my boss for Jane Meets Tanner. And sometimes that somebody is a lily pad to another contact.

It is critical to have a network and at our young age it is critical that we take the time to build one. Because it's those people who will mentor you and connect you and help you get that interview for your dream job.

Hate networking? Stay tuned for my upcoming post Networking for Those Who Hate Networking.

Also stay tuned for the second part of this post Who You Know Isn't Everything.