Good grades and good work performance don`t guarantee success. Just look at American Idol. Many of the finalists have gone on to become top recording artists, win prestigious awards, and star on Broadway. Who thinks they would have gotten there without the access and exposure to the right people the American Idol platform gave them? The same holds true in th more...

Good grades and good work performance don`t guarantee success. Just look at American Idol. Many of the finalists have gone on to become top recording artists, win prestigious awards, and star on Broadway. Who thinks they would have gotten there without the access and exposure to the right people the American Idol platform gave them? The same holds true in the workforce. The right people who can give you advice and open doors have to know you. So what if your parents aren`t executives in the industry you`re targeting. If you start early, you can build the relationships with those who can be helpful. Think creatively about who those people might be. Your college roommate might be a great interviewer. Your professors probably have relationships with people in the jobs or industries that are of interest to you.  ...less

Be humble enough to recognize what you need. Arrogance or too much confidence will blind you to your weaknesses, and be a turnoff to those who might help you. If you`re a college student, remember that a lot of people already view your generation as having an undeserved sense of entitlement.

Good things come to those who ask. Seek guidance from those who have been successful. Don`t assume that you`re doing everything right just because no one has pulled you aside.

If you meet someone of interest and get their contact information, make sure to follow up. You`ll be surprised how many people fail to do this. If you`ve let too much time pass, still reach out to them. Google them and see if thee`s any recent news about them you can reference in the email. What`s the worst thing that can happen? They don`t reply?

I tend to think the people with 500+ connections or friends on a social networking site are missing the point. Quality is more important than quantity. When you want an introduction or a favor, who`s more likely to help? The person you met once and never talked to again, or the person you`ve connected with in some meaningful way? Just having access to influ more...

I tend to think the people with 500+ connections or friends on a social networking site are missing the point. Quality is more important than quantity. When you want an introduction or a favor, who`s more likely to help? The person you met once and never talked to again, or the person you`ve connected with in some meaningful way? Just having access to influential people doesn`t mean they`ll invest in you and your success. They have to genuinely like you, and that doesn`t happen overnight, and it certainly won`t happen if you`re just in it for what can benefit you. Get to know the people that matter, and before you need them.  ...less

All of the access and genuine affection in the world won`t help if the right people don`t believe you have the ability to get the job done. Make sure you understand what those skills are and build them.

I once worked for a company where one of the partners had too much to drink and was embarassingly and uncomfortably flirtatious with an intern. He was fired within a week. Unprofessional behavior at a work event is clearly problematic, but beware also of questionable behavior outside of work. Photos of you drunk at a party posted online aren`t a far cry from more...

I once worked for a company where one of the partners had too much to drink and was embarassingly and uncomfortably flirtatious with an intern. He was fired within a week. Unprofessional behavior at a work event is clearly problematic, but beware also of questionable behavior outside of work. Photos of you drunk at a party posted online aren`t a far cry from being drunk at the office party. You have to manage your own brand. When videos and photos can be viewed by others so easily, If you show up for class and spend the time IM`ing friends and visiting your favorite websites, don`t expect that professor to be very helpful when you need a recommendation. ...less

Celebrities are some of the loneliest people in the world. I can`t cite any statistical data to back that up, but I`ve known a few, and it`s painfully obvious that most of the people around them are there because of what access to that high profile individual can do for them. Nepotism works when people think you`re good AND genuinely like you. People rejoice more...

Celebrities are some of the loneliest people in the world. I can`t cite any statistical data to back that up, but I`ve known a few, and it`s painfully obvious that most of the people around them are there because of what access to that high profile individual can do for them. Nepotism works when people think you`re good AND genuinely like you. People rejoice in seeing the brown-noser fail. Don`t be the person that people want to see fail. ...less