I don&#x27;t think that&#x27;s true at all, although I can see where the stereotype comes from.  The fact is, the more effort a potential applicant puts in <i>before</i> applying, the more likely they will be to get a job at the company they&#x27;re targeting.  That&#x27;s not to say they&#x27;ll get the job that&#x27;s their first choice, but they may get another just that&#x27;s equally good, or perhaps just a foot in the door.<p>It <i>always</i> pays dividends to invest in your human network.  That applies equally well to college grads as to experienced workers.