what if you met those colleagues at a relatively low-wage job, and neither you nor anyone else who will vouch for you has advanced very far beyond that low wage

what if you met those colleagues at a relatively low-wage job, and neither you nor anyone else who will vouch for you has advanced very far beyond that low wage level? sure, they can get you a job, but it will be a horizontal move for you if you are currently employed, and certainly no step up from your prior employment if you're suddenly unemployed. consider that for many young people outside of the software and finance worlds, this is precisely the situation. all the good reputation in the world doesn't much matter if it doesn't get you any further than where you are.