I'm a but cynical about the recommendation of talking to people. The interviews then turn into its own optimisation game (I think politicians for instance do ba

I'm a but cynical about the recommendation of talking to people. The interviews then turn into its own optimisation game (I think politicians for instance do base their decision making on talking to people, hence lobbying). The same thing happens with job interviews (what is the most useful skill to getting a great SWE salary? Interviewing well).