Work the Nepotism

I’ve been posting networking articles on the Career Center and I’ve noticed that one critical piece is missing: don’t feel guilty about using parents/contacts to get a job! At least 60% of the jobs filled these days are though networking and internal referrals. Your social network should be the foundation of your professional network and the digi-gen can’t feel guilty about tapping that resource.
I’ve read many articles about my generation and how we expect jobs and careers to be waiting for us when we finish college. Yet when I look at my friends, I see a constant rejection of all social and professional connections; most detest seeking networking help from their parents and family friends that are well established in the business world. We are starting from scratch, instead of using the social foundation that our parents have built. How have we been networking practically our whole life and still feel a bit queasy when it comes to networking for something so important?
I understand my friends desires to accomplish their career goals without help, but as I’ve always said: networking is just business. Now my only credentials on the networking subject would be that I’ve had internet/social networking profiles since I was nine (that’s right, AOL on my 14lb Macintosh ‘luggable’ laptop). I also went to Smith College, where contacts and the alumna association are an integral part of our education (yes practically mandatory networking workshops). So what have I learned from these years that I say time and time again to friends struggling to find a job in the field they love? Use all of your contacts to their fullest potential. Stop worrying about nepotism and start worrying about how you are getting your foot in the door. Do you think that Donald Trumps kids would ignore or abandon their most valuable asset—their network—when finding a job? Don’t think so!
Put your misconceptions aside and get your foot in the door! It’s not always the most qualified person that gets the job; it’s the person that leverages their network most strategically.