This person has wonderful skills and experience. They must have an extensive network of people they've worked with and for. Yet here they are in front of me not

This person has wonderful skills and experience. They must have an extensive network of people they've worked with and for. Yet here they are in front of me not making any use of that network. Why? Meet that head on because one possibility that goes through the mind of those making the hiring decision is "Is it because this person is horrible?" "I'm here and not using my own network to get hired because (they've all retired rich the lucky bastards|the network went a bit cold while I did 15 years in xyz co.|I'm not comfortable using a network because I've always been able to get hired on my talent, skills and work ethic and that's really important to me|whatever the reason is). Also when mentioning previous stuff you've done. "Did that with Jill and Amesh, great people, would work with them again in a heartbeat." "This one I did with Kar-Wai, talented guy, I liked working with him." Hiring is an investment decision you have to live with every day. Fear and greed the same as any other, allay the fears, stoke the greed. Note this is not "The Answer" my best to all doing it a bit tough in the job market. It's just one thing to consider if you haven't already, get the box next to it ticked.