Jobs for Change - It's Not About Who You Know, It's About Who Knows You

It's Not About Who You Know, It's About Who Knows You

categories: Job Hunt Strategy, Job Searching, Personal Branding

Published September 01, 2009 @ 10:13AM PT

True story. I'm sitting at my desk one day when my phone rings. It's someone calling for an employment reference on a person I had never met. Apparently, the candidate had mentioned my name to the person who interviewed her, and they were calling to ask about my impression of her. Well, guess what? Since I had never met this person, I had no impression to speak of, only a puzzled feeling, wondering why someone would drop my name in an interview when we have never even met. But maybe I did meet her, maybe in passing, maybe at a nonprofit event or happy hour somewhere in Washington, DC. Maybe I just didn't remember. Either way, her using my name didn't really help her get the job, because I couldn't confirm that I knew her at all, let alone vouch for her job experience or work ethic.

This incident reminded me of all the times we tell jobseekers that "it's all about who you know". I now need to clarify that statement. It doesn't count as "knowing" someone if you've only heard of them, read their blog, or met them once at an event. I mean, just because I know everything about Oprah, it doesn't translate into "knowing" her personally. Trust me. It definitely doesn't help your career if a person you use as a reference doesn't remember who you are. While you may think you "know" them, they may not even know you exist.

The moral of the story?

Don't name drop unless you know for a fact that the person you're talking about will be able to vouch for you if asked.

If you do meet someone once at a conference or event, be sure to follow-up with a nice note so they will at least have a fond memory of your sparkling personality.

Ask your references in advance if it is okay for you to use their name in your job search.

All of these precautions will help prevent your own embarassment when the hiring manager for your dream nonprofit job finds out that you don't really "know" Oprah, you just watch her show every day. Who you know is certainly important, but only if they "know" you too.

Photo credit: Oprah.com

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Author

Rosetta is a blogger, fundraiser, and leadership development consultant who currently serves as the Director of Development and Special Programs at the Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington.