We’ve all heard the saying “it’s not what you know it’s who you
know.” When I was growing up, I was the first one to roll my eyes at
this notion – clearly, I could stand by my good GPA and my degree,
and employers would come flocking. Well, they didn’t flock, and in
fact, I got turned down so many times I started losing count. Only
once I had a full-time (but low paying) job where I was over skilled
for the position, was I able to make a connection that led me to a
REAL full-time job with REAL pay and REAL benefits.
Recently, my older daughter graduated from college. She thought
she had a job lined up in a nearby city, but it fell through for a variety
of reasons. I was not about to have her lounging on the couch all day
and only applying for jobs that she could find online via her trusty
smartphone. So, I started taking her with me every time I had a
networking function. At first she rolled her eyes, but then quickly
realized the value of knowing people and having a network that can
help your business, help your charity, and in some cases like my
daughter, help you get a job. She’s even invited me to events that I
didn’t know existed.
I’ve always believed that education should include some basic life
skills, and networking is one of them! As my daughter quickly
learned, you cannot accomplish everything by using just your
smartphone. Talking with, interacting with, AND resonating with
other people is necessary to build relationships. It’s been rewarding
to show and teach that skill to my daughter, one that will serve her
for the rest of her lifetime. I’m pretty sure she cannot write out a
paper check correctly – but I bet she knows a banker that can help
her.
Originally posted on Inflection Point Communications