I have always said (truly) that someone could have a degree in basket weaving and get a promotion over someone who was a dedicated and smart worker with a lot of experience on the job. Not everyone could afford college.

That could be true unless the job requires skills thy don’t have,

Or maybe others knew people in high places.

Nepotism.  It could also be the city.  A large city with many open jobs has better opportunities. A small city with few people needing jobs also has good employment.  That is one reason, though, why so many open their own businesses. So they don’t have to rely on someone else to give them jobs,

Some people are very dynamic in dealing with people no matter their their education or experience. An uncle spoke 9 European languages. He got a gov't job. Was sent to Japan. They loved him and requested him all the time. He never spoke Japanese but he learned to.love fish raw or cooked. He'd always hated it.

A strong and warm personality is always a benefit.

Yes. I agree. Not enough around.

It seems to make their lives easier.  I have a few friends like that who are naturally social and people gravitate to them.

My uncle still had an accent after 35 years but I guess it made people curious about how he got here?

Many people never get rid of their accents.  Some get more pronounced when they are talking to another person with an accent.