“You know… the person who was just offered a leadership position with a massive pay bump (and a corner office) but seemed to have zero noticeable skills that would have warranted such a promotion.
You hear whispers around the office – “They got the job because they know somebody” or “They must have some serious connections!” Well… Maybe it’s true!”

This statement sounds like a natural lead-in for a networking book and captures what many people think about networking. I know this is true because this is the lead for my book “Networking with a Purpose,” but I also say that the reader’s professional network is powerful, and the book is a simple guide to building it.

Don’t settle on the idea that networking is just a stepping stone job on the path to your dream career. Its value doesn’t end when you get the job. Instead, it is the gateway to the knowledge and contacts you need to open every door and do meaningful research.