Don't let this single conversation get you out of your way. There are more good people than bad ones but sadly condition of the job market is not the best.

And honestly if I were asked the same question I wouldn't give a clear answer either - it's not only about skills but about being lucky enough for your skills to exactly match the ones that employer is searching for. If you have more you get more chances but unused skills will fade away quite quickly.

That's why in my opinion it's simpler to educate yourself until time invested in education stops giving a lot of profit (basically you got to learn most commonly required skills) and then just try until you land a job

But if there aren't enough jobs in us market - only connections will help sadly