> I think the network effect is highly overblown for the average person. Sure, networks can be good for the people in the top 10%, but I don't see it really hel

> I think the network effect is highly overblown for the average person. Sure, networks can be good for the people in the top 10%, but I don't see it really helping most of us because what are the chances our average friends will be in a position to hire us to a high position. Your friends don't need to be in a position to hire you into a high position. They just need to be in a position to recommend you for a good job that might be a step up. Or put in a good word for you when you apply at their company. They don't even need to be friends. In fact, most of the time I get my back-channel references from people who simply worked at a company at the same time as another person. Network effects aren't always obvious. I can't tell you how many times I've changed my mind on a candidate (in either direction) due to a friend of a friend giving me some more info about their experience working with the candidate.