It’s not what you know, it’s who you know

Three young office workers on the stairs talking.
It’s all about the network.

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Proverb: It’s not what you know it’s who you know

It’s hard to get a leg up in this world, and it’s even more complicated if you don’t have any connections.

That’s why the proverb says it’s not what you know, it’s who you know

It’s all about the network.


If you want to attain success, climb the ladder, or even just find a job, your network of personal contacts is often more important than your education or skills. 


In North America, it’s common for multiple generations of the same family to work in the same factory.

The grandfather gets his son a job, and then the grandson works alongside them once he comes of age. 

Especially in small towns, the proverb of it’s not what you know, it’s who you know is almost the rule of law when it comes to finding employment.

My father got me my first, second and third jobs.

Since I moved away, however, and began my travels, I found all my own employment myself.

So, I guess what I’m trying to say is that in small places, when it comes to finding a job or even getting into university, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.

Yes, there’s a story behind getting into university, but I don’t know you well enough to tell it to you.

Even if I told you, I’m sure everyone involved would deny any knowledge of or participation in the matter.

But I’m getting off track again.

Remember, finding a job is all about networking.

Get to know as many people as you can because to be successful, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.


Flesch-Kincaid Readability Test

This post is understandable by someone with at least a 7th-grade education (age 12).   

On the Flesch-Kincaid reading-ease test, this post scores 73.   

The easier a passage is to read, the higher the score on a scale of 0 – 100. 


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