word request - How do you say "enchufado" in English?

"Enchufado" or "enchufe" is a colloquial way of saying that a person got a job because a friend or relative gave it to him, instead of earning it themselves.

I thought about the word "appointed" but that is too formal and I don't think it conveys quite the same meaning (you could be appointed and still have earned the job).

Answer

From SpanishDict

enchufe

masculine noun

2. (colloquial) (influence)
   a. connections
   Yo estoy mejor cualificado, pero le dieron el trabajo a ella porque tiene enchufe. — I am more qualified, but she got the job because she has connections.
   b. friends in high places (colloquial)
   Tengo un enchufe que te puede ayudar a conseguir un aumento. — I have some friends in high places who might help you get you a raise.

enchufado
adjective

1. (colloquial) (favored)
   a. well-connected
   Mariano consiguió el puesto de gerente solo porque está enchufado.—Mariano only got the manager position because he's well-connected.
   b. no direct translation
   ¿Sabías que Jaime está enchufado en la empresa de su tío?—Did you know Jaime's got a job in his uncle's company just through his connections?
   Esto está lleno de gente enchufada.—This place is full of people who got a job because of their connections.

masculine or feminine noun

2. (colloquial) (person with connections)
   a. well-connected person
   En esta empresa solamente los enchufados consiguen un aumento de sueldo.—Only the well-connected people get a raise in this company.
   b. person with pull
   Le di mi nuevo disco a un enchufado que trabaja en la discográfica.—I gave my new album to a person with pull who works at the record company.

As is often the case, there does not seem to exist a direct translation. Although connected and well-connected might not necessarily have negative connotations, they can still be perceived negatively under the right context.
Example.

• He's obviously underqualified. I bet he got the job because he's got connections.

Less formally, you could say "know someone" or "hook up":

• He got the job because he knew a guy/someone at the office (on the board, etc).


• I didn't need to apply. My friend hooked me up with the job.