Is it what you know or who you know?

[newspaperman]

One of the journalism students I got a chance to speak with asked me, "Are journalism careers advanced because of your unique writing style or, like most industries, who you know?

What's you guys take?

 

[spud]

Combination of both, usually, with more who than what.

 

[CYowSMR]

Agree with that guy ^^^

 

[21]

The 'who' might get you in the door, but you'd better show the 'what' once you're in.

 

[Oggiedoggie]

I think it depends largely on who knows the extent of what you know.

(And the extent to which you can learn.)

 

[reformedhack]

Every single response so far is spot-on.

 

[Mediator]

I'll add this: It's who knows what you know, and is in a position to hire you at the right time.

Cultivate potential who's while augmenting what you know.

 

[shockey]

The 'who' might get you in the door, but you'd better show the 'what' once you're in.

the only post necessary here.

 

[SF_Express]

Yeah, I think 21/shockey kind of nailed it. With the further corollary that you often end up knowing "who" because you're able to do "what."

 

[PCLoadLetter]

Most of the jobs I've had, I had some kind of connection that helped get me in the door. I probably would have been a strong candidate for them anyway, but the connections definitely helped.

It doesn't always work that way, though. My biggest career break by far came in a place where I knew nobody. The boss liked my work and appreciated the fact that my resume was very similar to hers (we were both photogs-turned-producers who had worked in small markets in the northwest.) That jump took me from market 120+ to a top 20 market.

Connections are nice, but they're not everything.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

I would say it's about 75 percent "who you know"

I know lots of outstanding writers who will never get a shot at a big paper because they don't know how to network.

Obviously you have to deliver when you get there.

 

[spaceman]

it's 60 percent who, 30 percent what and 10 percent luck.

 

[Diego Marquez]

Is this to get a job, or keep a job during a round of layoffs?

To get a job: C. (all of the above)
To keep a job: D. (none of the above)

 

[LongTimeListener]

Since it was a classroom setting, I don't know if you're going back, but one thing students should learn is never ever to be embarrassed or shy about using the "who you know" part. A lot of us probably wanted to make it on our own, earn our way etc. when we were young and idealistic. Screw that. Everyone in every industry is looking for a foot in the door, and the only way to get that foot in is to know somebody. An unsolicited resume sits in a different pile.

 

[DanOregon]

Like most jobs - if you have a higher up personally invested in your success, you are better off. It's why you see people leave jobs when a new supervisor comes in. They didn't hire you - they can't take credit for anything you do. You go somewhere else - you are "their" hire and they will want you to shine.

 

[imjustagirl]

For me, it's been a lot of who I know. My last three jobs have come from people I knew. I've never been fired, so I can apparently at least hold my own. But I would never have gotten a look, probably, if I didn't know someone on the inside.

At the same time, I applied for a copy editing job once at a smaller paper while working the beat on a professional sport because my paper was not a very satisfying place for me at the time. I had a letter of recommendation from a very well-known writer who has won numerous awards. Never even got a call.

 

[kmayhugh]

I may be personally biased because I feel like I've talked my way into jobs above my skill level before, but interview skills are a huge part of career advancement.

 

[playthrough]

it's 60 percent who, 30 percent what and 10 percent luck.

I like this. I'd make it a Yogi-ism, saying 90 percent of this biz is now half luck. Gotta be with so few openings.

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

Question is incorrect. If it's assumed that everything other industry is based on who you know, why in hell would journalism be any different?

Why is the premise that every other industry is based on who you know accepted?

 

[Jersey_Guy]

The 'who' might get you in the door, but you'd better show the 'what' once you're in.

This.