it's not what you know but who you know

English

Alternative forms

• it's not what you know but whom you know

Proverb

it's not what you know but who you know

1. For success, and especially to obtain employment, one's knowledge and skills are less useful and less important than one's network of personal contacts.
   • 1951, G. P. Bush and L. H. Hattery, "Federal Recruitment of Junior Engineers," Science, vol. 114, no. 2966, p. 456:

     Eighty-four students referred to political influence as a disadvantage of federal employment with such remarks as: "There are too many political connections necessary . . . it's not what you know but who you know—in spite of apparent merit systems."

   • 1993, Heidi Gruber, "Cross film earns recognition in Hollywood," Ellensburg Daily Record, 25 Aug. (retrieved 19 June 2009)

     "In Hollywood, it's not what you know but who you know," said Cross, who added that the awards ceremony was the perfect place to make connections.

   • 2008, Natasha Davies, Webc@m Girl, →ISBN, page 53:

     "It's not what you know but who you know," Shelby said, as she rummaged through a bag to find the business card he'd handed her.

Translations

Translations

• Italian: non è importante cosa conosci ma chi conosci
• Spanish: quien a buen árbol se arrima, buena sombra le cobija

See also

• friends in high places