Wow, I didn't know anyone actually got a job through 'connections'. I thought someone just made that up to sell LinkedIn Premium subscriptions. I have only ever been hired after applying and passing an interview.

Gotta say, I would be pissed off if I were one of your candidates and found out I lost a job to nepotism just because the interviewer was suffering with option paralysis. I like to think the world is more fair than that, but perhaps I am wrong.