Question

Your friend Ed refuses to use networking to get a job. He wants to get hired based on his merits and not on whom he knows. Do you agree or disagree with Ed? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

I disagree with Ed’s blanket refusal. Wanting to be hired “on merit” is reasonable, but refusing all networking is both unnecessary and often counterproductive. Networking and merit are not mutually exclusive — done well, networking helps people learn about opportunities and lets their demonstrated skills get noticed; done poorly, it can reinforce unfair advantages. A balanced approach is best.

Why networking matters (and isn’t just cronyism)
- Employers use referrals and contacts because they reduce hiring risk and cost: a colleague’s recommendation can signal competence and fit more quickly than a cold resume.
- Networking lets you learn about unadvertised jobs and get timely info that helps you prepare stronger applications.
- It’s a way to show your merits in context: conversations, code reviews, presentations, or collaborative projects let people see what you can do beyond one-page resumes.

Fairness concerns are real
- Networking advantages people with existing social capital and can perpetuate bias. Those concerns justify pushing for fair hiring practices (structured interviews, skills tests, blind screening) — not abandoning networking altogether.

How to network while keeping merit and ethics front-and-center
- Treat networking as professional development: ask for informational interviews to learn, not just favors.
- Build public evidence of your skills: GitHub, portfolio sites, blogs, open-source contributions, published projects or papers. That lets merits speak for themselves to anyone you meet.
- Ask for referrals only when you’ve earned them — e.g., someone who’s seen your work or collaborated with you.
- Be genuine and reciprocal: help others, share resources, mentor juniors. That reduces the “who-you-know” stigma.
- Prefer organizations with transparent hiring: structured technical screens, take-home assignments, and clear criteria.

If Ed still wants to minimize interpersonal networking, practical alternatives
- Create a strong public portfolio and apply broadly to advertised roles.
- Enter competitions, hackathons, or publish work that recruiters find.
- Use cold applications targeted with specific projects or value propositions.
- Gain credentials employers respect (internships, certifications, reputable projects).

Bottom line
Refusing to network eliminates a useful, often legitimate channel for demonstrating and discovering merit. Ed should focus on ethical, skill-oriented ways to network and on advocating for fair hiring practices — and he can combine that with a strong public portfolio so his merits are visible to everyone.