The Most Overlooked Career Strategy That Actually Works

The Career Advice Everyone Ignores—But Shouldn’t

In the early 1970s, a Stanford sociologist named Mark Granovetter published a paper called The Strength of Weak Ties. It didn’t make headlines. It wasn’t flashy. But inside was a surprising idea: when people landed good jobs—often career-making jobs—it wasn’t through close friends or direct mentors. It was through people they barely knew.

A neighbor’s colleague. A classmate from years ago. A former coworker you haven’t spoken to since the exit interview.

Granovetter called these connections “weak ties.” And he found they often mattered more than strong ones. Why? Because close friends tend to know the same people and information you do. Weak ties—those loose, unexpected connections—open new doors.

This was a breakthrough. Yet decades later, it’s still advice most people ignore.

The Quiet Advice We Skip

The best career advice I know isn’t about resumes, certifications, or hard skills. It’s this:
Focus on relationships, not just results.

We ignore this because it feels soft. It’s not quantifiable. It doesn’t fit in a checklist or spreadsheet. But here’s what the data keeps showing: the people who move ahead aren’t just the most qualified. They’re the most connected—thoughtfully, not transactionally.

A recent LinkedIn survey found that up to 85% of jobs are filled through networking. Referrals get hired faster and stay longer. The difference isn’t in the application. It’s in who whispers your name in the right room.

How It Looks in Real Life

Claire graduated near the top of her class. She applied to dozens of jobs. Nothing. Then, on a whim, she reached out to a former internship manager. They got coffee. Two weeks later, she had an offer.

James was invited to a friend’s birthday party. He chatted with someone from another department—someone who would later become his boss. He hadn’t even been job hunting.

Neither story is about who worked hardest. They’re about who reached out, who followed up, and who stayed open to connection.

So, What Do You Actually Do?

If this still feels abstract, here are four ways to start:

• Send one message a week. Reach out to someone you admire, a peer in your field, or an old contact. Ask one thoughtful question.

• Be genuinely curious. Don’t just “network”—listen, learn, connect.

• Offer something back. A resource, a kind word, or a thank-you note goes further than you think.

• Follow up. A short update weeks later shows you’re engaged—and worth remembering.

This isn’t about asking for favors. It’s about building bridges—slowly, steadily, sincerely.

Why It Matters More Than Ever

Think of your career like a city. You can walk from street to street, job to job. Or you can build highways—connections that let you move faster, reach farther, and see more.

And here’s the twist: people want to help. We’re wired for connection. But they can’t help if they don’t know you’re there. If you don’t speak up, share, or show interest.

Granovetter called it a weak tie. You might just call it the conversation that changed your path.

The Quiet Power You Can Build Today

There’s a strange comfort in thinking success comes only from hard work and skill. But it’s also limiting. It puts you on an island. The people who get the farthest—often quietly, without the loudest resumes—are the ones who treat relationships not as extras, but as essentials.

So, here’s a challenge: This week, message one person. Not to ask for a job. Just to ask a question. Say thank you. Offer a kind word. Invite a quick chat.

One small conversation might change everything. That’s not just advice. It’s history.