today’s fast-paced professional world, we often hear: the scale factor by nik
“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”
While networking is important, relying solely on connections to advance your career is a trap. Chasing people might get you temporary opportunities, but it rarely builds sustainable success.
Instead, the most powerful strategy is this: focus on building skills that naturally attract opportunities and people to you.
1. Why Chasing People Doesn’t Work
When you constantly chase people—mentors, managers, or industry leaders—you risk:
Burnout: Constant outreach without results is exhausting.
Dependency: Your growth depends on others’ attention rather than your own competence.
Superficial relationships: Connections formed from chasing rarely have depth or longevity.
Even LinkedIn data shows that profiles with high engagement and clear skill demonstration outperform those relying solely on network size (LinkedIn Talent Insights, 2023).
Example: Two professionals apply for the same role:
Person A: Has 500 connections, but their LinkedIn posts and portfolio show minimal expertise.
Person B: Has 200 connections, but shares case studies, achievements, and skill-based content regularly.
Who do you think hiring managers notice? Person B. Because skills attract attention organically.
2. Focus on Competence That Matters
Ask yourself: “What skills make me indispensable in my field?” Focus on:
Technical or domain-specific skills: For example, a digital marketer mastering AI-driven campaigns will stand out more than one relying solely on referrals.
Problem-solving and critical thinking: Leaders seek professionals who can tackle challenges without constant hand-holding.
Communication and collaboration: Even in technical roles, clarity in communication is a magnet for opportunities.
Example:
A software developer invests time in building a personal GitHub portfolio and contributing to open-source projects. Recruiters reach out to them, instead of the developer constantly applying or chasing referrals.
3. Build an “Attraction Profile”
Think of your profile as a magnet: the more value you display, the more opportunities come to you.
Practical Steps:
Share achievements & case studies: Post real work examples, lessons learned, and results.
Upskill continuously: Learn trending technologies or methodologies in your field.
Teach & share knowledge: People naturally gravitate toward experts who help them grow.
Engage meaningfully: Comment, write articles, and participate in industry discussions—not just send connection requests.
Example:
A UX designer writes a LinkedIn post about redesigning an app that increased engagement by 35%. Suddenly, UX managers and recruiters notice them — all without chasing anyone.
4. Why Skills Attract People
When you focus on competence:
People seek your advice, instead of you seeking theirs.
Opportunities come via referrals and inbound messages, not cold outreach.
You build authentic relationships based on respect, not obligation.
Research by McKinsey & Company (2022) confirms that employees who invest in continuous learning and skill-building are 3x more likely to be approached for promotions or new projects than those relying on connections alone.
5. Your Action Plan
Step 1: Identify the top 3 skills that will make you indispensable in your current or target role.
Step 2: Create a 90-day skill-building plan (courses, projects, hands-on practice).
Step 3: Document & share your journey online — blog posts, LinkedIn updates, or portfolio projects.
Step 4: Build relationships organically — the right people will notice you without chasing them.
Stop chasing people. Chasing networks without skills is like fishing without bait.
Instead, invest in yourself, showcase competence, and the right opportunities and connections will naturally come to you.
In the words of Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn:
“If you are not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you’ve launched too late.”
Replace “product” with “skillset” — start building, start sharing, and the world will notice.
