idioms - English equivalent of the expression “a longer arm than résumé”


I've heard a non-native English speaker use the expression "in this place, having a long arm to scratch someone else's back is more important than having a long résumé", conveying the idea of favoritism in a place influencing the promotion of people within. I would like to know if there is an equivalent in English to such expression.



Answer



The phrase



It's not what you know but who you know.



seems to have similar connotations, although is more about knowing the right people, than currying favour with them.


There is the more salacious



Sleep your way to the top



which takes the back scratching a little more literally.


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