Career Services' Derek Jack on the Importance of Building Relationships
Most job seekers put the majority of their energy into perfecting a résumé – and that effort matters. Clear formatting, strong bullet points and error-free writing are essential. But here’s the reality many students and alumni do not learn until later: recruiters often spend only a few seconds on an initial résumé review. A résumé can open a door, but rarely does it open the door.
What creates real momentum in a job search is not just a polished document – it is connection.
Many opportunities are never posted publicly. Roles are filled through referrals, internal conversations or by hiring managers who already have someone in mind. That is why online applications can feel like black holes – effort goes in, but feedback rarely comes out. Networking is not a shortcut or a sleazy tactic – it is how people actually learn who you are beyond the page.
At its core, networking is simply having career conversations. It is reaching out to someone whose work you admire and asking how they got there. It is learning the story behind a job title, an industry or a career pivot. Informational interviews, casual follow-ups, alumni outreach and conversations at events all create something a résumé alone cannot: context.
When someone knows your story, they do not need to spend six seconds skimming a document – they will give you six minutes, or more. They will remember your curiosity, your preparation and how you made them feel in the conversation. That is often what leads to referrals, interviews and unexpected opportunities down the road.
This does not mean résumés do not matter – they do. Think of your résumé as the ticket in, not the performance itself. Networking is where the real impression happens. It is where you demonstrate interest, initiative and fit in a way no bullet point ever could.
For students and alumni alike, the takeaway is simple: do not wait until you “feel ready” to talk to people. Start with curiosity. Ask thoughtful questions. Follow up. Keep the conversation going. Careers are built less by submitting perfect applications and more by building genuine relationships over time.
While a résumé might get you seconds of attention, relationships earn you the minutes that change everything.