Interview or Reference

As I observe it, many of job seekers today are doing both strategies to get a job. They hunt for jobs, attend interview and take pre-employment exams. They also use their network of friends to get referral. For me, though, I prefer to get jobs from the former. I like to hunt for jobs for which I know I am competent and fit to perform. Through pre-employment examination and interviews, I will be able to prove my worth to prospective employers in getting me for the position. I don't like the idea of getting a job because of referral for the following reasons: 1) I don't want to have a job which I did not work for; 2) I don't want a job that will put me and another into a debt of gratitude as I don't know what will be at stake in exchange for the job; and 3) While I always do my best in whatever jobs I perform, I might place the person who referred to me in an awkward position should the employer discover that they need other attribute/skill/competence/attitude that I may not have.