There’s a saying that life is “all about who you know.” Well, a new survey finds the vast majority of society not only agrees with that concept, but they’re embracing the benefits of nepotism. In fact, a staggering number of people worldwide admit they’re fine with flexing their personal connections to beat out other qualified people for a job.
Specifically, career experts at StandOut CV found that a whopping 91.3% of respondents would accept their dream job if offered through a personal connection, bypassing the traditional application process. So much for working your way up based on merit!
The Power of Who You Know
The survey paints a clear picture of nepotism’s influence in the modern job market. Researchers found that 70.2% of people surveyed have received a contact, interview, or immediate job offer through their personal connections. This statistic underscores the significant role that networking plays in career advancement.
Interestingly, the study also found that friends, rather than family, are the primary source of these opportunities. Of those who tapped into their social networks while job hunting, 62.1% reached out to friends, compared to 37.9% who turned to family members.
However, when it comes to direct hires, family connections proved more potent, with 26.4% of the respondents getting hired directly by a relative! Only 19.3% of the poll received a job directly from a friend.
The Ethical Dilemma
While the majority of respondents would use nepotism to their advantage, the survey also revealed a complex ethical conundrum. Despite the overwhelming majority of workers saying they’re fine “pulling some strings” to get ahead, a surprising 90.6% agreed that being “handed a job” is an unethical form of nepotism.
The study also exposed the potential downsides of practicing nepotism. One in three people hired through personal connections admitted feeling underqualified for their roles, while 35.9% say they received preferential treatment compared to their colleagues. Moreover, 28.4% experienced tension while dealing with co-workers who suspected that they were only hired because they knew somebody.
Industry Perspectives
Perceptions of nepotism’s importance tend to vary depending on where you work. Law professionals were most likely to believe that “who you know” trumps “what you know,” with 85.7% endorsing this view. Jobs in education and sports followed closely, at 80% and 76.5%, respectively.
‘Nepo Baby’ Culture is Here to Stay
Despite the ethical concerns, nepotism appears to be on the rise. Two-thirds (66.9%) of respondents believe nepotistic practices are increasing. This trend is further supported by the 82.5% who admitted they would send their children to private schools for better networking opportunities if they had the means.
As the debate on nepotism continues, one thing is clear: personal connections remain a powerful force in the job market. With 87.7% of people believing nepotism is common or very common in their industry, it’s evident that “who you know” continues to play a significant role alongside “what you know” in shaping career paths.
While 76.6% of respondents support creating more rules and regulations that prevent nepotism in the workplace, the practice seems deeply ingrained in professional cultures worldwide. As the job market evolves, striking a balance between leveraging personal connections and maintaining fair hiring practices will likely remain a challenge for employers and job seekers.
Methodology
In July 2024, 1,406 adults from the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia were surveyed about their opinions on nepotism. Demographic data, such as age, gender, and profession, were also considered.
Respondents were asked questions related to societal perceptions of nepotism, personal experiences gaining work opportunities using personal connections, and experiences helping their friends and family gain work opportunities.