Yeah, I agree with you on the networking piece. In an ideal world, solid skills and a strong track record should be enough, but that’s clearly not the reality right now.
I actually just read something recently that framed networking as a bit of a low-status game in certain contexts: when systems are functioning well, work speaks for itself; when they’re broken, people are forced to lean on proximity, favors, and visibility just to get a foot in the door. And honestly, that feels like where we are.
It’s frustrating and kind of sad, but it also means the playbook changes. Location matters more than ever, where you live, what markets are active around you, and where momentum actually exists will heavily influence how you move in this job market. Some areas still have motion, others are completely stagnant.
So yeah, none of this is ideal. But for now, it’s about adapting, staying visible where it actually matters, and continuing to push even when the system feels stacked. Appreciate you saying it plainly, this market is rough, and a lot of people are feeling it.