With apologies to the Rolling Stones, the headline for this post is absolutely wrong: it’s not (only) what you know but who you know. And who knows you.

In the present job-seekers’ market, the pressure to remain ahead of the competition and at the cutting edge of the profession has never been greater. Beyond that, it’s not enough to be rated a ‘Strong Performer’ – you also have to be seen to be a Strong Performer.

And you have to be seen not just by anyone but by the right people, otherwise it doesn’t count. The right people need to know who you are and – if hired – what you will contribute. So it’s not only what you know but who you know.

Getting lost in the system

Life is not made any easier these days by the way in which modern companies handle their recruitment. Due to the online tidal wave of enquiries from the Internet responding to job adverts when hiring, firms use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to automate the initial stages of the process.

The way it works is that the ATS reviews your application first, ‘parsing’ your CV and performing a keyword search to determine whether your résumé is worth passing on to Human Resources.

The unfortunate effect of this impersonal approach is that there is an 80% chance your CV won’t get seen by a human. As far as you’re concerned, you filled out the application form on the company’s careers page, clicked Submit and then… nothing. It’s as if your application got lost in cyberspace.

The importance of finding a better way

For those who do survive the ATS nightmare and actually get to the interview stage, the process can sometimes get even more confusing. You might start the interview and discover that the role isn’t as you expected. Or you might struggle to persuade the interviewer that you’re genuinely the best candidate for the position. With so much competition out there, it’s not easy.

If only there was a better way that allowed you to:

  • Bypass the general application process altogether
  • Ensure your CV gets seen by an actual (human!) decision-maker
  • Guarantee that you’re fully prepared so there aren’t any nasty surprises

Well there is. If you’ve been thinking about joining the crowd and applying for jobs direct, it’s time to adopt a more sophisticated approach. Do you know who might be able to help you? Is it time for you to Start Me Up?

See also: What You Need to Know About Work Permits

If you are a lawyer or chartered accountant and interested in working in the Bermuda/Caribbean region, visit our jobs portal to see the latest vacancies. Our site also includes a downloadable All You Need to Know guide which will tell you all you need to know about living and working offshore.