also, 30 years ago i got my dude a job - back when pretending to know java was enough to get you a job.

in both cases, they were real opportunities and strong demand and real needs and smaller companies who were probably generally glad to have a reco, etc. don't think there was much selling, on the whole, it just kind of happened.

i'd guess that's one of the advantages small companies have - they might hire your friends, for better or worse.

i turned down help getting jobs for decades, so finally tried it. i'm not above it, but eh.