assuming you have a “network”, yes. the way the person here words it, it sounds like they do have connections but just refuse to take advantage of them. in which case that seems a bit absurd, most people don’t even have that to their disposal.
but of course the comment has no context so it’s not my place to make assumptions. maybe that’s not what they meant.
I’m currently working the best job I’ve ever had by far, and I got it because I had a friend who worked there. Not even in a high position, he was just a regular employee. I’d spent months sending out resumes for positions I was qualified for, but one resume handed to my friend to be put directly into the hands of the hiring manager got me a better-paying job that I wasn’t even qualified for. It was 2 weeks between printing the resume and showing up for my first shift.
It’s annoying, but, these days, any resume submitted online to be added to the pile is just a waste of your time. Find a way to get it directly to the hiring person - even if it’s just physically going there and handing it to the person at the front desk. If you submit it the normal way, it’ll never be seen.