do you have to "know somebody" to get a job?

Question

All my friends who have jobs say they got hired because they knew somebody in management. In most of the jobs I apply for, I don't know anybody in management, and I seldom get interviews, let alone get hired. Is knowing somebody in management the only way I'm going to get hired?

Answer 1

Knowledge is power!! Be good at what you do and they will be bidding on your services. Education is the key!!!

Answer 2

It doesn't matter if you know someone in management. Are the places you are putting applications in to actually hiring? What does your past employment look like, if you change jobs every few months, most places wont hire you. How do you feel you represent yourself at the interview? Where you well dressed, did you say the right things? Did you ask any questions?

Answer 3

No you don't HAVE to know somebody to get a job, although it does help. All you have to do is be polite to anyone that you might come into contact with. Like the cashier at your local grocery store. Smile & make conversation, the bus driver, or that guy you always see on the train. My point is that you never know who you will meet that might know someone that knows someone that is looking for someone to hire. If you expand your network of friends, & are polite & nice , & you leave a good impression,. then chances are you will come to mid when they know of a position. Plus put it put there to ppl you already know, that you are looking for a job doing this of that. AND you must ALWAYS be confident on interviews.....you are selling yourself so it you theink u r not good enough or might not get it then you might not. Employers want confident, go getter type ppl to help run the empire they have built, not a sluggish, follower that has low esteem.

Answer 4

Yes and no. Entry level jobs usually take cold resumes or applications. So you could get a job at a supermarket or a mcdonalds just by filling in an application at the right time. Even initial college graduates can get interviews by just having good resumes.

Higher level jobs are more dependent on networking. No CEO ever got that job by sending in a resume to monster.com. What you do is do volunteer work and go to community meetings and in the course of meeting them, they can give you leads to new positions because they trust you. Also, if you're college-educated, being active in a professional organization helps.

Answer 5

No Way you have to sell yourself, when i go on job interviews i am always focused on the interviewer eye contact is important i also make sure i ask questions that will impress them you need to have confidence. Go to the interview with the attitude that yiu already have the job bring a current resume and make sure you can account for what you have done in the past ten years. I always get hired personality is a plus GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

Answer 6

Although in some cases it does help to know somone in the job you are looking for, more often the reason for being hired is YOU> One of the most important parts of a job interview is body language, ie how you dress, carry yourself, present your information, etc.

Answer 7

NO!! Especially not if you are qualified for the job and are presenting your self as the best candidate out there. Do not let it get you down besides ask yourself this; Do I really want to work for a company who hires a guy based on who he knows rather than what he knows?? Ask a policeman or fireman that question.

Answer 8

it's all about who you know not what you know. when it comes down to what you know, then you're just another schmuck in the mix. if you're resume just happens to pass the right person then you might get the job. when it comes to someone you know, you have your foot there and your buddy can sweet talk the HR or manager about you and put in a good word for you making it easier to get interview and hired. But knowing someone who works where you're applying to REALLY helps. otherwise just flood the market with resumes until you get a bite

Answer 9

It sure helps, but not always necessary. I read a statistic once that only 10-20% of jobs are advertised, rest are filled by insiders or referrals.

Answer 10

Networking is a real good form of finding a job but a good resume is the key.

Answer 11

No definetely not....although many jobs are scored by having connections, it is definetely not the only way...Some of my best jobs have been gotten because someone liked my attitude, or believed in my skills.