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Why is making connections important? 10 experts share insights

Aug 26, 2020

Why is making connections important

You’ve heard it before: it’s all about who you know. But what does that mean?

Networking is a learned skill. To build a network is to form the connections you may need in the future to support your career. This process takes time.

But how do you know where to get started? Is it worth it? We asked ten experts to share their insights about why connections are important and why you should create a network of your own.

“Who You Know” versus “Who Knows You” 

It’s not, “who you know,” it’s, “who knows you.” Making connections leads to conversations and conversations lead to opportunities. Beyond making connections, it’s vital to spend time nurturing connections as they can come in handy in unexpected ways down the road. 

Chris Dunkin, Portable Air 

It Allows Recruiters to Vouch for You

You need to develop connections to the point where recruiters may vouch for you. Recruiters do not usually approach you just because they know you, they vouch for you because they know you are worth vouching for. Similarly, connections are a method to advertise your skills, not a replacement for having skills. Personally, I think that connections are not a metric of skill, they are a metric of experience and trust.

Rameez Ghayas Usmani, PureVPN

It Gives You an Opportunity to Help Others

Connections are the most important way to advance in your career. My connections helped to open doors to three critical, life changing career opportunities. Since then, I have looked for opportunities to help others by volunteering with my alumni association and answering questions for people interested in new opportunities.

Bruce Harpham, Technology Marketing Consultant

They Bridge the Gap Between You and Employment

Connections are the bridge between an employee and a career. When all else fails, your connections will be there to support you and to help you bridge the gap between you and employment. Not every position or promotion is going to be posted on a job board somewhere, but just one email reaching out to a connection could make the difference in getting a job interview you didn’t even know about. 

Kenna Hamm, Texas Adoption Center 

Approach Connections With No Agenda

Life is about connections above and beyond your career.  You never know what role someone may play, how you may be able to make a profound difference for them, or how they may be able to help you.  When we approach new connection opportunities with no agenda other than learning about the person behind the business, we open up communication to a deeper level.  My entire corporate and entrepreneurial careers have been based on my solid connections.

Leeanne Gardner, Unbridle It

Exchanging Insights

Work is an important part of people’s lives; therefore, creating relationships at work is necessary to be successful. Find people that you can share insights with about more than just work, which in turn will give employees the sense of belonging and make them feel part of the team. This will give them motivation to take on more responsibility if they feel like what they are doing will impact people they are close to. 

JJ Hepp, Arrow Lift

The B Mohr Effect

One single connection has helped me launch two businesses. I originally introduced myself to Brian Mohr via a cold email. He answered, and after an initial meeting, he connected me with someone who helped me launch my first business. Years later, Brian again helped me launch another business by becoming my first client while introducing me to my second client. Somewhere, there’s a Brian Mohr out there who can make all the difference to you and your career. 

Brett Farmiloe, Markitors

People Will Never Forget How You Made Them Feel

Whether it’s been in relation to my full-time career or my business, the biggest and most worthwhile opportunities have come from first-hand connections. Connections give us an opportunity to help others. And by helping others, we’re advocating for our brands. 

Maya Angela said “people will never forget how you made them feel”. It may take several years before someone remembers something nice that you did for them, but that could manifest into an opportunity that could transform your career or business. Don’t expect anything in return in the future. I have made many connections that have not manifested into anything. Not yet at least.

Husam Machlovi, With Pulp

Co-Made, Not Self-Made

Connections are the key to success. Joseph Campbell shared the concept of “the hero’s journey.” Along my entrepreneurial journey, there have been so many connections that were important to be where I am today. The idea of self-made is a fallacy; co-made is what they really mean. A friend shared with me that concept and shared anyone who has ever “made it” could only have done so with help along the way. “Co-made” with connections along the way has made my career, and will continue.

Mark Jamnik, Enjoy Life Daily

They Are Vital in Sharing Industry Expertise

Making connections in the professional world is essential for a plethora of reasons–one in particular is expertise. There are always going to be people who know more than you, and you should take that as a good thing. Meeting and discussing your specific industry with other experts is only going to benefit you, whether they are helping you through a rough time, giving you career advice or even financially supporting your professional endeavors. Connections are vital to the progress of a professional career.

Megan Chiamos, 365 Cannabis

Markitors

Filed Under: Career Advice Blog Tagged With: Career, Connections

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Testimonials

Navigating the world of career transition can be an overwhelming experience.  In addition to the mechanics of transition (updated resume, career search strategies), there is the deeper need to connect to people who are in the same situation as you are.   For me, all of this was answered by Career Connectors!  Had it not been for this organization, I might still be sitting in my house, wondering what to do next!  At just one Career Connectors meeting you can be inspired by great speakers, … Read more
Iris M.
If you are a job seeker in transition or looking to find that new great position I highly recommend Career Connectors. The search process has changed significantly over the years and Career Connectors will provide you many tools that will allow you to stand out and demonstrate your unique value to potential employers. At each event I had the opportunity to “sharpen the saw” through top notch expert presentations on image portrayal, positive attitude, networking, social media presence, job… Read more
Joe C.
Networking helps, especially when you do not directly know anyone at a target company. I have attended 4 of your meetings and at one of them a company representative and recruiter presented. I was already familiar with this company, but she also said some other things in the presentation that made me take notice and created more interest on my part. I spoke with the recruiter at your event and she followed up the next week and from there I went on several phone interviews and on site interview t… Read more
Todd S.
I would like to share that I landed a contract position for 6 months with possible conversion to a permanent position on the team after those contract periods complete. I work on a team as an Instructional Designer and the team is virtual, which means I am able to work from home 100% of the time! I am very excited for the future of my career! I wanted to share that I sadly won’t be seeing you at Career Connector events for the next 6 months at the very least, and we’ll see how my performance … Read more
Bill T.
Fantastic! Good variety of roles, Obvious interest in quality candidates, really good solid leads. Great investment of time.
Alicia
I’ve attended a few of your events in Gilbert and Scottsdale since returning to AZ and being an active job seeker. I’m happy to report that I’ve been offered a job! I’m over the moon about the offer and couldn’t be more grateful after a long, three month search (that definitely felt much longer…. 🙂 ). I want to thank you for your programs. You have excellent speakers who always energized me when I was needing it most. And your resume reviewer was great. She was a tough cookie with a red pen y… Read more
Becky T.
It was amazing, you guys did a great job! I found several potential companies!
Irene
Good news. I have landed. Thank you for your support throughout my job search journey. You and your organization has lots to offer besides the positive energy, uplifting of self confidence and immense networking opportunities. I am very appreciative of the efforts and time put forward by you and your team.
Kirtida A.
After a company layoff thrust me into the job market, Career Connectors was exactly what I needed to develop my networking skills. Networking is a job in itself, and the skills I learned helped me to land a temporary position just three months later that is now permanent. I believe in the Career Connectors mission and continue to volunteer as a way of expressing my appreciation for their support during a very tough time…thank you Career Connectors!
Diane N.
Thank you, Jessica. Although I wasn’t able to meet you personally, I was able to see you working with another applicant and was impressed with your efforts and the excellent platform that your team presented. Thank you very much.
Luis R.
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