I’ve started following a new rule to hiring in business. If you have a contact within my organization, I will hire you in spite of that relationship, not because of it. In other words, a candidate has to be a little more professional, or a bit smarter, or show a tad more gumption to overcome the potential negative possibilities of an acquaintance hire going wrong.

Know someone in the organization will definitely get you an interview, but it’s not certain to get you the job opportunity.