Networking

 From Harvard Business School:

Why is networking so important?

A professional network can offer you many things, but perhaps the most talked about, is career growth. Research shows that people with stronger networks end up with higher salaries and more promotions. It makes sense. The more connected you are to people at different job levels, both inside and outside of your organization, the more likely you are to know about new opportunities when they arise. When senior employees within your company know the great work you’re doing, the odds of them putting your name in for a promotion increase. The same can be said for people externally. If an employer is hiring for a position that matches your capabilities and ambitions, having the right connection at that company can help you get your resume to the hiring manager.