Is It Who You Know?

Throughout my career I have heard many people utter the words, “It’s who you know.” That is such an easy way to justify a disappointment. Whether it’s because someone did not get an interview, a promotion or a job, it is an easy reach. I personally do not subscribe to this frame of mind. I think that this way of thinking short changes an individual.

Now, I am not naïve. I know there have been instances in which someone received a promotion or was hired without merit. I know that there is favoritism in the workplace. I just choose not to let that bother me. I also know that networking is a great way to get your name out there, but I don’t rely on that to get me to where I want to be in my career.

Here is advice that I shared with many over the years.

I have gone through my career “earning” my way into a school district. For the most part, I have applied with school districts where I am not known. I do this knowing that I want to get a job through my resume and interview. I never want to be given a job simply because somebody knows me. In my mind, if someone does this for me, I now owe them a favor in return. I refuse to live my life in that fashion.

I have applied for positions where I have not even been called for an interview. It is probably safe to say that we all have. My feeling is that I must not have been what they are looking for.

I have also been passed up for a promotion in favor of someone that I felt was not qualified for the respective position.

I have even been a finalist for two positions only to find that I was not given either of those positions.

Ultimately, my feeling is that I would not want to work in a position that I was not the first choice for. This is true, regardless of the reason for the choice.

If you find yourself in this situation, be confident in who you are and what you know. Yes, there are injustices in the workplace. Remember, nobody ever said that life was fair.

In the end, if things do not go your way, you may have to move on to find a better place for yourself. You may have to work in a different place in the organization. At least, when you do, you can feel proud knowing that you are where you are based on merit

Trust me, this is a better way to carry on in your career.