Is getting a job more about who you know or your qualifications?

[Simslover92]

[ohsheeT]

I would think that it's always been like that for the longest time

For 25 years I built gas stations there were three companies in town and I worked for two of them they were both good to me very good to me but there were moments in time where I thought it was time for a raise and the company I was working for would say sorry we can't do it right now and I would say okay thank you very much and I would go to work for the other company and a few years would go by and of course I got my raises but there was come a time where I would ask for another raise or something and they would say sorry we can't give it to you right now blah blah blah so I would go back to the company that I was working for they would hire me giving me what I was making plus my raise and I was asking for this went on for 25 years back and forth

My best friend then was handed down one of the businesses the guy that owned the other business was going to retire so I kind of retired and then a guy from California came up to Nevada his company doing the same thing was in the red he went to both the companies that work for talk to them said who would be the person to talk to that could help me save my company they both mentioned my name gave him my phone number so then I went to work for that guy

Yeah I think it's who you know

But also your qualifications do speak loud for you if you can back them that's all the counts but it's nice to have somebody in your corner it can speak louder than you can

[HawkPerception]

The key word here is GETTING the job and not "Keeping." Getting a job is more about who you know; connections and social circle.

Keeping a job is more about how skilled you are at it.

Getting your foot through the door is generally the hardest part though. If you have any skills meant for the job, you can usually adapt quickly.

[sage2021]

I've landed a few jobs because I knew someone who worked there.

But usually I had to have the qualifications.

Some interviewers can really try to stump you with their questions. I've been in that position before and I either gave a good answer, but one time I didn't and I knew it right when it happened. There were 4 people interviewing me at the same time at a big conference room table and I was having a bad day right before my interview.

And there's a story there..

[sage2021]

Thank you for the MHO 🙂🧡

[WhitneySnow]

It’s both. It really depends on what kind of you’re going for. Also, if you know somebody, that can make up for weak qualifications, and if your qualifications are strong, that can make up for not knowing somebody, especially if the person who’s actually doing the hiring is several levels above the job you’re being hired for (they’re less likely to be swayed by personal feeling).

[AI Opinion]

In my experience, it’s both—but in different ways.

Qualifications get you into the game: they prove you can do the work and pass basic filters (ATS, HR screening, technical tests).

Relationships shape the odds: referrals help your resume get seen, add trust to your profile, and often break ties between similar candidates.

Practically:
- Build solid skills and a clear track record (projects, results, portfolio).
- Simultaneously grow your network: classmates, colleagues, events, LinkedIn.
- Treat every interaction as part of your professional reputation.

Think “skills first, relationships always.”

[Chazmatazz269]

It’s both. People short on qualifications can make up for it by schmoozing. People short on personality can make up for it by highlighting their education, training, skills and experience.
The more of the latter that is required to do a job safely and efficiently, the less likely you will find blatant nepotism and favoritism though. Even in industries with enough money to go around, few companies are willing to risk lost contracts and potential lawsuits to keep somebody’s jack*ss cousin on the payroll. You mostly see it in low skill, entry level jobs and high profile positions where someone’s lack of knowledge and experience can be washed out by a strong team of workers supporting them.

[Lliam]

When I was 26, I got my career job because I was friends with a guy whose mom was neighbors with the VP of an insurance company and got us both hired.
I only had a high school diploma and knew nothing about the job I was applying for. The company trained me and put me to work.
I had a tough time for a few years learning the ropes but I worked hard and hung in there. I eventually became a superstar. I retired after 30 years with a pension and a bunch of money in a 401(k). It was a great company and a great job.

So knowing someone really paid off for me.

[Anonymous]

I know a lot of people. I'm not going to hire anyone who can't do the job. Knowing someone might get them consideration, and even a chance at trying out for the job, but if they don't have the skills or attitude necessary, they're never going to get hired permanently. That's why there's such incompetence and goofing around in companies where they just keep hiring family and friends.

[Anonymous]

right now in this economy, it's all about who you know. because good luck getting another job that actually pays anything.

if the job market wasn't so hard and so many people looking for work/jobs, then i would say sure qualifications put you in a strong position. but it's not like that anymore...

[Abbycado]

I’m sure it depends on the job. A doctor, for example, you won’t take an ultra talented surgeon over Bob who scraped by med school.

For my summer job, it’s all about who you know that gets you the best positions.

[OneViewpoint]

Both. Knowledge and experience are important. But your network may let you know about a job that isn't even posted anywhere. And if you come with a personal recommendation that's usually better than someone applying cold off the street.

[BonzoInBitburg]

It's always about who you know? Networking by far the best way to find a job. Qualifications don't show how you'll fit into an organization or how well you'll work with other employees.

[BadApple69]

Who you know might get you in the door but what you know will keep you there.

[WhiteSteve]

.

[NathanDavis]

definitely not... not in most cases

those kind of favores are few, and also very temporary

[Nikki1989]

It was never about that for me, but obviously that is the case for many people.

[douride2]

It should be more about qualifications. In many cases it is not. Speaking from my own experience it has almost always been about who I knew. & my qualifications.

[susie22]

In my line of work, it's ALL about the qualifications.

[RareBreedOfMan]

It's who know cause people are like that they don't care as much as about qualifications anymore.

[AviatorTom]

Qualifications are most important. Who you know can help.

[jazzy34]

It depends on the company, honestly, and how far they bend the rules for certain people.

[Bricealan]

@Simslover92 Probably a little of both, but I think mainly your qualifications

[msc545]

It really is about both things but if you're not qualified you are unlikely to get the job. If you don't know anyone, you still might get the job with decent qualifications. I'm a good attitude.

[exitseven]

I would say it is both but I think who you-know is more important than what you know

[Shiprex]

For me it's always been quals. I interview well and tend to be clear in my expectations

[_Jenny_]

@Simslover92 qualifications is important, but who you know really helps

[MrChinaski]

It's never about who you know, but rather who knows you.

[MrChinaski]

Honestly, it depends upon the role. If it's a fresh college graduate intake then nobody knows any of the applicants, roughly speaking, so it's qualifications and interview performance and some character references. If you are five years out of college then qualifications matter little in most fields: it is known that you can do the job, their choice is who will best do the job.

[xawyx-3]

In my corrupted country, unfortunately, it's more like "who you know".

[s0j7e3zyxc8v0]

I’d say it’s more about who you know connections can make it much easier to find opportunities and get your foot in the door

[CaptainSmartass]

It's a mix of who you know, what you know and what you know about who you know.

Simples...

[AngryCarl3]

A little from column A, a little from column B.

[KostasKouvalis]

WHO YOU KNOW

100%. Or your sexuality/skin color"

[astlavista]

Both matter, but qualifications usually get you considered, while connections can help you get noticed and open doors faster.

[EmmaMary]

Qualifications and Experience.

[RachyRach]

Sometimes. It's unfortunate but it's true

[slatyb]

It depends on the organization hiring you.

[TonyMetal___1986]

To me it was just random

[Paige2006]

Who you know for most jobs

[Maria1986z]

I say both and have experience in the field.

[LiamS95]

I think it's more a bit of both really.

[Saddlebread]

Mostly qualifications.

[i_am_back]

Qualification & experience

[Eiram5]

I need money.

[Extraterrestrial1999]

Both

[Darthskywalker6969]

Who you know

[CubaPirate]

definitely