It’s About Who Knows You

In the Beginning

When I was going through Mount Vernon High School and looking for a job, my family and friends argued “well, David, it’s who you know that will get you hooked up in a job.” When I worked at Sakuma Farms in Burlington, Washington, it was my mom that got me in the door. When the managers found out that I spoke fluent English, and had a knack for technology the shift supervisor put me outside on the truck scale where the vehicles are weighed in and tagged for in-processing. The place in general was the funnest job. We walked in pretty clean, and walked out at the end of the day as if we had just gone through a strawberry food fight (Disclaimer: we didn’t have food fights). Working outside on the truck scale was a joy. I met a ton of farmers, like Mike & Jean’s Berry Farm, who brought their strawberries in for in-processing. It was a phenomenal, communal (we shared food during lunch), and down-to-earth job. Every day the taquera would come by. At the time, I carried around in my back pocket a little black address book. Today, I use: Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. These are online tools I use in addition to the good ‘ol fashion phone and postal office. Key word: in addition.

Mount Vernon ’96

I was nominated by my counselor, Ms. Diane Best to attend the ’96 National Youth Leadership Forum on Law & the Constitution. The certificate of nomination read: “this candidate has demonstrated academic excellence, leadership potential and a special interest in a career in law.” Key word: nominates. Again, who do you know that knows you? Best along with countless teachers like Ms. Perez knew me. As a result I headed off to D.C. for two-weeks visiting The Supreme Court of the United States, Howard University School of Law and Baker & McKenzie. While I couldn’t afford the tuition and flight, it didn’t stop me. Our campus MEChA Chapter, the Whatcom Hispanic Organization, campus teachers, and the community pitched in their time, money and moral support. While in D.C., I ran into Marco Davis who worked at the NCLR at the time, the nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization. Since ’96 I’ve carried that valuable lesson: look out for others. As Luke: 48 reminds, “when much is given much is expected.” 

Numbers Don’t Matter. Relationships Matter.

Each of us may have 10, 25, 100, or 500 contacts in our address book. And, that’s great! But the question is, do each of these contacts personally know you? Have you established and nurtured a relationship? Are you helpful to these contacts? Do you have breakfast with your contacts? I have one every month with my close friend, Jay Bloom. Except for my eighteen month deployment at the JPED we try to keep it consistent. Our discussions begin with family and country. And they end with a debate on situational leadership and growth strategy. We provide a provide. Bloom is sharp .

2009. Who’s Looking Out For You?

Recently, I was walking into a committee meeting and a colleague pulled me aside and told me about a great career opportunity and that she would write me a letter of recommendation. I was humbled. After asking a few colleagues, I was overwhelmed by the number of people writing letters of recommendation, making phone calls and giving the thumbs up on my behalf. Lesson here: who is fighting for you? Did I get the job. No. But it’s the thought, the very thought that someone cared about my growth, my learning, my capacity and about my continued contributions to veterans and country that mattered. It’s not about who you know BUT rather who knows you. Who’s fighting for you?

3 Recommended Tips. Use Sparingly.

1. Pick up the horn and call someone you admire and go to breakfast (or lunch). Ask a ton of questions. Absorb everything. If you can’t meet, then have a conversation via phone, mobile device or online.

2. Contact people outside your sphere of influence. If you are in the healthcare industry, reach out to folks in higher education, high-tech business or journalism. Share with him/her your passion, capabilities & expertise and be crystal clear about what you want to do. People want to help. Often. But whatever you do, don’t stop when people criticize you or don’t help you. 

And, 3. Nominate, mentor and put someone under your wings. Believe it or not, someone/somewhere believes you are a role model. Share with them what you know. Teach them the ropes. Teach them what right looks like. Mentor them as if they would be filling your shoes someday. They just might. It happens. I’ve seen it. 

Your Turn. Comment below. Share.

How about you? Do you use online address books or the good ‘ol fashion black book? Have you built relationships that matter and how do you sustain them? Do people really know your preferred dream job? Or how are you helping others get there? Are there people rooting for you? Share your ideas and experiences in the comments below. We learn through sharing.

David Molina is one of the co-founders of BilingualHire. He can be reached at: +1 (503) 512-8431 or email.