“It’s About Who You Know”: Why Skills Alone Won’t Land You the Job
You’ve worked hard. You’ve built your skills. You’ve earned your degree, stacked up experience, and polished your resume until it shines. So why isn’t that enough to land the job you want?
Many job seekers fall into a dangerous trap of flawed thinking:
“I want my skills to get me the job, not who I know.”
“Networking feels like cheating—I want to be hired because I’m the best candidate.”
“If I’m qualified, I shouldn’t have to ‘work connections’ to get in the door.”
But here’s the truth: Skills matter, but relationships open doors.
If you’re waiting for hiring managers to recognize your talent based on merit alone, you’re playing the job search game on hard mode.
The Reality: Hiring Is a Human Process, Not a Perfect System
Companies don’t just hire the most skilled person—they hire the person they trust to deliver results. Think about it from a hiring manager’s perspective:
Sort through hundreds of resumes from strangers, hoping one stands out.
Get a trusted referral from a colleague or industry contact who vouches for someone.
Which do you think is faster, lower-risk, and more reliable? This is why 80% of jobs are filled through networking, and many are never even posted publicly. It’s not about cheating the system—it’s about understanding how hiring actually works.
Why “Skills Alone” Thinking Holds You Back
01
Mistake #1: Assuming Hiring Is a Pure Meritocracy
Hiring isn’t a mathematical equation—it’s a human decision.
- Managers want to hire people they know, like, and trust.
- A strong recommendation from a trusted contact can override a lack of “perfect” qualifications.
- If someone inside the company advocates for you, you bypass the applicant pile and go straight to decision-makers.
02
Mistake #2: Thinking Networking Is About Favors, Not Value
Networking isn’t about asking people for jobs—it’s about building relationships and offering value.
Smart job seekers don’t network when they need a job—they build relationships long before that. Instead of “Can you help me get hired?”, try:
- “I admire your work at [Company]. I’d love to hear your perspective on [Industry Trend] over coffee.”
- “I’m exploring roles in [Industry]—any advice for someone at my level?”
People want to help—but they help those who are proactive, engaged, and bring something to the table.
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Mistake #3: Believing the Best Jobs Are Publicly Available
If you’re only applying to publicly posted jobs, you’re already behind.
Many of the best roles:
- Are filled before they even hit job boards
- Are created for the right person who fits a need
- Are first discussed in internal networks, not external postings
By the time a role is posted, it’s often already in the final stages of hiring.
If you’re not inside the conversation early, you’re competing with the masses instead of being the inside hire.
How to Shift Your Mindset & Start Winning the Job Search Game
02
Build Relationships, Not Just Applications
Identify key people in your industry and start engaging with them now—not just when you need a job.
Comment on their LinkedIn posts, attend their industry talks, or ask insightful questions.
Offer value before asking for favors—share an interesting article, connect them with someone, or show genuine curiosity.
effectively.
03
Be More Than a Resume—Be a Known Name
- Stay visible—post on LinkedIn, attend networking events, or write industry insights.
- Join professional groups, alumni networks, and virtual communities.
- Don’t wait for opportunities—create them by being top of mind.
01
Get Comfortable with Outreach
- Reach out to people in companies you admire—not to ask for a job, but to build a connection.
- Send authentic messages like:
“I came across your work in [Industry] and really admire what you’ve built at [Company]. I’d love to hear how you transitioned into [Role] and what advice you’d give to someone looking to make an impact in this space.”
- Follow up. One conversation isn’t enough—relationships take time.
Play the Game the Right Way
No one is saying skills don’t matter—they do. But in today’s job market, your network determines whether those skills ever get seen.
So, do you want to keep sending applications into the void? Or do you want to be the candidate who gets the first call when an opportunity opens up?
Your skills qualify you. Your relationships get you hired.
Which step will you take today to expand your network?
