How do you get a job these days? The answer often involves networking — it isn’t what you know, it’s whom, we’re told. But what does that mean? After all, we’re connected to many people, in countless ways. So who can actually help? What kinds of relationships should we try to use when we are looking for a job?
“A Friend of a Friend” Is No Longer the Best Way to Find a Job
How do you get a job these days? The answer often involves networking — it isn’t what you know, it’s who, we’re told. But the type of networking that’s valuable has changed over time. In the 1970s, for example, weak ties were important (your child’s teacher, or the friend of a friend who you happen to meet at a party). That’s because they might be privy to open jobs outside your network. With the introduction of the internet, however, there is no shortage of job listings, leading to a glut of applications. Because of this, former coworkers and bosses who can speak to your talents in the office can help cut through the noise. This isn’t without problems, namely today’s relatively homogenous workplaces. So practically, if you’re recommending someone for a job, remember that you have to be thoughtful and ethical about it. And if you’re looking, remember to be good to the coworkers you have now.