Not really talking about the current job situation, but do you ever notice how there are no postings for really obscure positions that definitely exist but are never posted anywhere? I feel like David Graeber would have a lot to say
I didn’t mean that the connected person who was hired is less qualified. I just meant that given self-interest in a capitalist society, people in charge of hiring would prioritize giving jobs to people they know or personally benefit from.
I mean that’s just intrinsic bias, but it just sucks how pervasive it is on top of racism, sexism, classism, ableism, etc.
That on top of all those things keeping someone from fulfilling work, a hiring manager might hire their buddy or someone from a fraternity or one of their relatives.
And good point about the nature of work qualifications. Most jobs don’t require intensive skill, education, or training that can’t be taught on the job. I mean people wouldn’t be able to get away with lying on their resumes otherwise.
people in charge of hiring would prioritize giving jobs to people they know or personally benefit from
also it’s easier to do it that way. saves on advertising, reading applications, interviews, etc
Opportunity cost isn’t really a thing that most hiring managers give a shit about. They also usually don’t really benefit in many ways from the “best” candidate being chosen rather than a mediocre one that they have some other relationship to.