What’s More Beneficial In Job Search? Skills Or Connections?

By Perminus Wainaina

Kenyan Professionals will answer this question differently depending on how they got their jobs and the experience they have as job seekers. Professionals who got jobs because of their skill will obviously say skills are more important while the ones who got jobs through connections will say it’s more important.

However, something everyone can agree on is in the Kenyan job market skills are not enough, you need a way to get into the door in order to prove yourself and this is where connections come in. Therefore, it is clear that both are important.

What are some of the benefits of skills?

The job market has changed in that emphasis is not only put into knowledge but skills. This means that more employers are looking for people with soft skills such as communication, inter personal, emotional intelligence, leadership skills etc as opposed to just a Degree, Diploma or Certificate.

The skills you posses will set you apart from other job seekers, they will make you unique which is exactly what employers are looking for. You need to be able to be unique so as to be noticed by employers.

Why you shouldn’t have skills without connections

It is a good thing to have skills but having skills is not enough in the current job market. You need someone to vouch for your skills someone who will endorse you.

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Having networks in a certain company is helpful because you get insider information on when they are hiring and they can also ensure your CV is looked at and you get an invitation for an interview. You can ensure your CV impresses the recruiter by showcasing your skills well by getting a professional CV writer to do your CV for you.

Without the connection, you would not know of the opening and end up missing out on potential jobs that you qualify for. This is why having both skills and connections are important when it comes to looking for jobs.

What are some of the benefits of having connections?

Most of the time, jobs are advertised internally first before it is put out to the public. This means that employees usually know of certain job opening beforehand.

Having connections in such companies will give you an extra edge above other job seekers because you get to apply for the job before so many others. This ensures your application is looked at because most recruiters shortlist on a first come, first served basis.

Another benefit is your CV will always be looked at. When you know someone working in a particular company then you can send your CV to them so that they can forward it to the HR department this ensure that your CV is not lost among the sea of other applications.

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Having connections can also ensure that you get called for an interview. This is because a high percentage of people recommended to the recruiter by colleagues end up being shortlisted for interviews. This however still depends on your qualifications.

Why you shouldn’t have connections without skills

Having connections alone is not enough in the current job market. I doesn’t matter how many people are in your network, without skills they cannot help you very much.

Keep in mind connections doesn’t necessarily mean a “godfather” it means someone who can help boost your job search by recommending you to their networks depending on the skills you poses.

This means that if you do not have any skills to speak of, then your connections cannot really help you get a job.

So what is more valuable, skills or connections?

Connections allow you to find new opportunities that you would otherwise miss out on if you didn’t have them. This means that while skills will ultimately get you the job, it is the networks you have that will put you in the position to get the job.

Therefore, while they are both important it is paramount that as a job seeker you should network in order to ensure that you get the opportunity to show your skills.

By increasing your networks you are setting yourself up to receiving more opportunities in your job search. But the two go hand in hand.

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In Conclusion

Networking is an important part of the job search process and in order to better your chances at getting a job you need to ensure you make new connections and strengthen the ones you have.

Perminus Wainaina is a Certified HR Consultant, Career Coach and Managing Partner of Corporate Staffing Services.  As a career coach, Perminus works with experienced professionals in helping them determine and achieve what they want in their career. Click here for more on career coaching.