Rant: Having connections isn't exactly helping my job search

[UrbScotty]

You know what they say about looking for a job: It's not so much what you know, but who you know.

Well, that's not exactly helping either.

Until recently, Organization A (as we shall call it) had nine staff across the state, including three here in my area. As it happens, I am connected with all three staff in my area, and I also know one of the organization's board members. All four of these people (three staffers and one board member) know that I am looking for full-time work.

Well, lo and behold, one of the aforementioned staffers posted on Facebook that today (yesterday) was the first day for their newest staffer, and that they're looking forward to working with them, etc., etc.

Yep. They had an opening, they hired somebody, and I didn't even know about it.

One of the other staff members at Organization A called me a couple weeks ago to tell me about a job opening, and they wanted my permission to forward my resume to someone. But what I remember from that conversation was that the job opening was with a certain political campaign. Perhaps I misheard (or the staffer misspoke), and the job was with Organization A? Either way, no interview, no job.

Oh, but that's not all.

Organization B is currently in the hiring process for a position. This position was first posted two weeks ago (March 22 or 23), and the deadline to apply was last Friday, the 30th. I called them Tuesday to follow up, and they said they were setting up interviews. Two more days have passed, and I haven't heard back from them. (Does it really take several days to set up interviews?)

Oh, and the hiring manager? The person to whom I sent my application? Turns out I've interviewed with him/her before. I applied for a similar job at a different organization, and I went in for an interview earlier this year (as in, 2012). And (s)he was one of the interviewers. They just landed their current position at Organization B.

Oh, and not only does the hiring manager know me from a recent interview, but I was also able to get a few people to recommend me for this position, including....... one of the staff members AND one of the board members from Organization A!

Two job openings. Lots of qualifications and skills to fit each job. Five connections. But so far, zero interviews.

I wish I knew what I was doing wrong.

Anyway, rant over.

[DaveJ]

1. Do these people you know have any actual influence?

I'm trying to stay on good terms with the owners of my company, in the event they don't need me anymore, because they have tons of friends in business, and they have an abundance of wealth. They have implied that as long as we do a good job, they'll help us get another job if necessary. If they can't help then nobody can.

I feel kind of subjugated, but if I were to just quit and go my own way, I know nobody else, and don't know what I'd do. Without the help of others I'd be screwed. You always hear stories about how employers get thousands of resumes for every job. They only jobs available seem to be the worst ones. Scary.

Can you make higher level connections?