Your personal network is a good way to find jobs. Just be sure to pre-screen those referrals.
For starters…you know – ask more questions about the job and the company (something Sam totally forgot to do).
Because even good friends can have little idea of what it is that you are doing for a living and may think they are doing you a favor by pitching a job opportunity, even though it’s 100% not up your alley.
So whenever someone wants to connect you with a “friend who may need your services”…ask them to elaborate just a bit more.
And politely declining an offer is a normal thing to do.