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, L. H. Hattery, “Federal Recruitment of Junior Engineers”, in Science, volume 114, number 2966, page 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 August 25, Heidi Gruber, “Cross film earns recognition in Hollywood”, in Ellensburg Daily Record, 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

• Cantonese: 識人好過識字／识人好过识字 (sik¹ jan⁴ hou² gwo³ sik¹ zi⁶)
• 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