Why Networking is the Real MVP in Job Hunting: 60% of Your Time Should Be Here

Here's a bold truth: If you're just spending your time tweaking your resume and firing off applications, you're doing it wrong. In today's job market, where AI-tailored resumes stack higher than a skyscraper, networking is your golden ticket.

Networking Trumps Applications

Why does networking matter so much? It's simple. People hire people, they don't hire paper. With every application resembling a clone of the last, having someone inside vouch for you can be the key that unlocks the door to an interview. Andy Chan from Wake Forest University nails it: knowing someone at the company or having a recommendation is often the number one way to land that important first meeting.

Now, here's a number to chew on: 60% to 70%. That's how much of your job search time should be spent networking. Forget spending all your time online. It doesn't work. Instead, channel your hustle into finding connections, even if it's just a LinkedIn comment or a text to a former colleague. Small gestures keep your network alive.

What Could Go Wrong?

But wait, don't throw out your resume just yet. While networking is essential, a well-crafted resume is still your ticket past the first gatekeeper: applicant-tracking software. This software doesn't care how well you know someone on the inside. It scans for keywords, and if you're not speaking its language, you'll never reach the hiring manager's desk.

There's also the risk of over-networking. Bombarding someone with requests can backfire. Instead, focus on meaningful interactions. And don't just reach out when you need something. Build a reciprocal relationship where you're helping as much as you're being helped.

Time to Choose: Resume or Network?

So, where do we land? It's not an either-or situation. It's about balance. While networking should consume a significant chunk of your job search time, your resume needs to be polished and keyword-rich. It's your calling card after all.

Think of networking as your ongoing project, a muscle you flex throughout your career. When done right, it ensures you're not just a name on a piece of paper but a person with a story. And that's what gets you hired.

In a job market that's tougher than ever, especially with companies tightening their belts, who do you think wins? Those who sit behind a screen, or those out there making connections? The latter, every time.