Nepotism

[hjo3]

Suppose you found yourself unemployed and someone (a friend of a friend) offered you a job that's substantially better than what you think you could get on your own. They semi-jokingly intimate to you that, since they outrank the person doing the hiring, they can make sure you get hired regardless of qualifications. You're sure you can do the job well, but you also know you're not the ideal candidate. What would you do? Take the job, tell the friend-of-a-friend you want it on your own merits, etc. ...?

Is it unethical to allow yourself to be hired via nepotism even if you're sure you'd be an adequate employee?

 

[Amused]

That's not nepotism. You're not related to him.

This is called using connections and it's perfectly ethical.

 

[hjo3]

Originally posted by: Amused
That's not nepotism. You're not related to him.

Well, favoritism then.

You don't think it's unfair to the other potential applicants?

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: hjo3

Originally posted by: Amused
That's not nepotism. You're not related to him.

Well, favoritism then.

You don't think it's unfair to the other potential applicants?

Not at all. This is what social and professional networking is all about.

If you know you can do the job, take it.

 

[hjo3]

Hm, cool. Thanks.

 

[lightpants]

It is not what you know - it is who you know.

That is just he way life works.

 

[Pepsei]

this is what happens in real life. I'd hire my friend even thou there are someone else who can do it better.

 

[Mucho]

The job I have now was through a friend thats how the world works.

 

[kranky]

There's nothing unethical about that. Here's why.

The person doing the hiring can't know for sure who the ideal candidate is. They are always just making an informed choice. The fact that someone on the "inside" is recommending you counts for a lot.

That's because you are more likely to do your best so your friend won't be angry or embarrassed. He's sticking his neck out for you. That's social networking. If you screw it up, the friend-of-a-friend will be very unhappy with your friend, who will be unhappy with you. This hurts your networking abilities, and most people are smart enough not to do that.

At my company, if you personally recommend someone to be hired, that greatly influences the decision. But if the person doesn't work out, it reflects poorly on you. So people are smart enough to only recommend people they are confident about.

 

[her209]

That's how some people get into colleges...

 

[imported_FishTaco]

kranky said it best. So take the job and don't screw up.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: hjo3

Originally posted by: Amused
That's not nepotism. You're not related to him.

Well, favoritism then.

You don't think it's unfair to the other potential applicants?

You're thinking to hard. Thats how most people get jobs. A lot of job openings aren't even advertised. This is just the way life works I'm afraid.

 

[Goosemaster]

looks like someone got his job due to TRUE nepotism and needs to open a dictioanry

j/k'ing of course

 

[DainBramaged]

It's all about who you know. Take it. No question.

 

[SpunkyJones]

Take the job, I've gotten my last 3 jobs from people I've know.

 

[K1052]

Every job I've ever had was because I knew someone through family or friends. I currently work for my family's business so that would be considered nepotism, though it is basically expected that the kids in each generation do it.

I see nothing wrong with using the advantages/opportunities available to you.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: hjo3

Originally posted by: Amused
That's not nepotism. You're not related to him.

Well, favoritism then.

You don't think it's unfair to the other potential applicants?

possibly, but this is the way it works.

It's not always the best that get the opportunities. It's who you know.

 

[gsellis]

My dad was no wayward soul (Priest, Headmaster, BioChemist). His saying about such was,

"It is who you know that gets you the job. It is what you know that keeps it."

Let your friend help. Then it is up to you to keep it.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

Originally posted by: Amused
That's not nepotism. You're not related to him.

This is called using connections and it's perfectly ethical.

 

[chambersc]

Take the job and screw the rest.

Principles don't pay the bills.

 

[HomeAppraiser]

Welcome to the real world.

 

[LethalWolfe]

As others have said welcome, to how people get jobs in the real world. As they say in Hollywood, "It's who you know or who you blow."


Lethal