What you know, or who you know?

When job searching, it can at times seem like you will never find anything because you don’t "know someone". Sometimes it seems like employers do not even give you a second glace unless they have a relational obligation to do so. While knowing someone can be a very helpful resource to have, I believe it does not get you a job.

A job search can definitely be made easier if you know someone; it gives you an easy place to start. Knowing someone in a business gets you in the door and possibly an automatic interview. However, once you get to an interview it no longer matters if you have an “in”. To get through an interview it solely depends on what you know. At this point, the only benefit of knowing someone in the business is for a reference. Your knowledge of the company and your qualifications are the things that will get you hired. When job hunting, knowing someone will only get you so far. What you know is essentially what will get you a job.