“I discovered a little later that it is not WHAT you know but WHO you know that gets you that better job with better pay.”
Sadly, in many, many cases you are correct. I have seen it over and over, specifically in areas where subjective judgment is the deciding factor.
However, in my experience, it was my technical degree that opened the door to perfect strangers, who in turn, asked me difficult questions that I was prepared to answer. In one case, technical questions which landed me the job. Perhaps I am the exception to the norm, but I do believe it is quite common to obtain a job on merit.
Having said that - once you are in the door, politics, and “who you know” loom large...especially in smaller companies.
“Having said that - once you are in the door, politics, and “who you know” loom large...especially in smaller companies.”
I can’t agree with your last line.
The larger the organization the more politics involved. Smaller companies don’t have time for it. It is all about producing.
>>especially in smaller companies.
Disney was one of the most vicious corporate environments I ever observed.
One of the benefits of being a contractor is being able to observe the hive-caste members eating each other alive inside the termite mound; and to observe it from a relatively safe distance, while enjoying considerably higher compensation.
Caste-members are supposed to slobber all over themselves fo the privilege of working themselves to death for the benefit of the hive - a mindset is reflected in the programing of Disney’s Corporatist/Collectivist propaganda mill - ABC / ESPN...
...from which Homer Simpson laps up his Bread and Circus allotment, licks the plate clean, and begs for more.