I have always despised the statement “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” I hated the idea that if someone had inside connections, but less of the qualifications for a job than someone else, they would still receive a job offer over the other. I always hated the idea that the people with “connections” would always prosper over those working so hard to get a job, or get their foot in the door somewhere.
While I still am not a fan of this saying, and probably never will be, I think there is something to be said about what you know versus who you know.
There’s this idea of the six degrees of separation, which if you are unfamiliar is a 1900’s theory that anyone on Earth can be connected by no more than five intermediaries. While this may not be a totally accurate theory, and no, you may never find your six degrees to Barack Obama, Justin Bieber, or the Queen of England, there is a definite truth to the idea that we are a society that is becoming more and more deeply connected with every passing day (Thanks, technology.)
A few months ago I read a story about a girl desperately trying to break into the magazine world, and she decided she was going to find her six degrees of separation to whoever could get her the job she wanted, and spoiler alert, she eventually did. So maybe, is it more about who you know rather than what you know?
Well then, let’s talk about what you know. With so many people applying for jobs across the world, knowing something must be a huge factor, right? How could anyone hire someone they know over someone more qualified? Well, that doesn’t really seem to be the case anymore. Is this because more and more people are becoming qualified for jobs, and resume after resume all look the same, and why not hire someone you know through acquaintances anyway? Maybe, but who knows, I sure don’t.
But sometimes, it is more about what you know. Skills and education are undeniable, and almost impossible to ignore. If you’ve got the ability, you’re halfway there.
Don’t get me wrong, keep fine tuning your resume, keep learning, keep educating yourself. I am a huge proponent of the what you know side of this argument, it just can get difficult sometimes in our ever-so-connected world. Trust me, sometimes I want to drop everything I’m doing and go out and find my five intermediaries to Anna Wintour, Julie Strauss-Gabel, or any of the people who plan and market the KROQ events.
But, what I have really learned, especially after working in an office this summer is this:
It’s not what you know, it’s who know, but once you get inside it’s all about what you know, and if you can’t reach the standard you will be out just as quickly and easily as you were brought in.