Its not what you know

Yesterdays post has me thinking and wanted to make sure I put the writing on the wall. It's not what you know. I've learned that lesson for sure. Think that 4.0 you worked your tail off for is going to help you? Not likely as a designer. In four years and more interviews I have NEVER been asked to see my college transcript or what my GPA was, and I worked for one of the top firms in the nation (at that time...sadly today that's no longer the case). Think because your good at sections and details your a shoe in for a job? Or that photoshop I harped on lastnight? You would have to get someone to actually spend enough time to read your resume or interview you for them to notice those things. The reality is that in today's market employers are getting hundreds of resumes a week, the likelihood that they get to yours isn't good. So if its not WHAT you know, what is it? In most cases...It's WHO you know. Based on my own experiences I can list a minimum of six instances where knowing someone either helped me get work or helped a friend get work. Making connections and networking is probably one of the most important aspects of being a working professional. So while I'm still a laid off designer with a not so wonderful streak of luck I can look back and learn some valuable lessons from it all. I'm thankful for the connections I have and am looking forward to the connections I'll make in the future.