Why do recruiters and their ilk say things like this (I.e. implying that the only way to get a job somewhere is if you know someone there)? Is it the ego boost from feeling like they have insider knowledge? Or companies trying to outsource the recruiting process to their employees? Or is it companies trying to start your tenure feeling like they've done you a favor? I'm autistic and less able to network in the traditional sense, so it's infuriating that my employment hinges on something that has nothing to do with performing the job.