Ok, I’m sure everyone has heard this saying before, but that’s probably because it is accurate. I tend to go one step further and say “It’s not who you know, it’s who likes you”. Regardless of which statement you subscribe to, they both share the foundation of knowing people, and the only way to know people is to meet them.
Most days, while I’m eating lunch, I flip through various news apps on my Blackberry. I like to stay up to date with what’s going on for my own personal curiosity but also to use while helping clients choose investment options. Today I stumbled across an article on Fox Business that really hammers on the thesis of this blog post. The article demonstrates that who you know (or, who likes you) is likely the most important thing when finding a job. Common knowledge tells us anything important for finding a job is equally important when it comes to career advancement and those in a sales position. Every sale and every day at the office is a job interview, whether you realize it or not.
From the article:
“Research tells us that between 60-80% of jobs are found through personal relationships,” says John Bennett, director of the Master of Science and executive coaching and assistant professor of behavioral science at the McColl School of Business at Queens University of Charlotte. “Learning to work in networks and in relationships in a way that is meaningful, that has impact and that conserves both our interest and the interest of the people we’re connected to, certainly is only going to add value to us as employees.”
60-80% use personal relationships to find a job! That is staggering! Take a minute to think, how many jobs have you gotten where you didn’t know anyone that helped you get it? What about other aspects of your life? Have you ever gotten a great deal on a product because you knew someone? I remember growing up in Iowa City our family always had a “go-to” for any service or product we needed. We had a go-to plumber, a go-to furniture guy, a go-to motorcycle dealership (my favorite!) a go-to car mechanic. We had these because my dad was a great networker, he knew people and they knew my dad, that meant we got the best deals, the best service, we trusted the providers whole-heartedly, and in most cases, had running tabs with these businesses. And it’s all because of personal relationships!
Networking isn’t easy for everyone, in fact it’s frightening for a lot of people, but you can’t let that hold you back. Every missed connection could be a missed opportunity.
From the article:
“You shouldn’t network because you’re desperate--you should network all the time,” says James. “You should always be making contacts and have a Rolodex or computer program that lets you file these people away.”
There is a reason why ‘work’ is included in the word networking, says Bennett, it is an active process that requires a concerted effort, not something students can passively sit back and not worry about.
This is the reason organizations like the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce and New View exist. They facilitate networking. You don’t have to look any further than the WDM Chamber’s slogan, “Belong. Connect. Achieve.”
Stop by the next New View event on May 5th and start building your portfolio of personal relationships. You might even meet the person that will give you your next big break!
Link to the referenced article - http://www.foxbusiness.com/
Brad Phillips
Vice-Chair, New View
Agent for Farm Bureau Financial Services
I like that and it really is true!
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