[jstx1]

So if two candidates have a terrible technical interview, the person who knows the right people passes to the next round and the other one doesn't? Sounds a lot like nepotism.

Okay, maybe that's not a fair argument on my part because you're actually using the positive feedback that you got from the mutual acquiantances and they could have given negative feedback, but it's still the case that some candidates don't get that opportunity at all.

[JackFr]

The second paragraph is in support of the first, that is, the value of building and maintaining relationships.

In this case it was a benefit both to me and to the candidate.

Does knowing people in a field give someone an advantage