The Power of Networking: Lessons From My Father

A special thank you to all that have reached out to me the past few weeks. This has been especially a hard time for us. We lost our mother way too early about 10 years ago, and losing our father unexpectedly has taken a toll. So again, thank you for all of your love and support.

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A few updates before we begin:

1. My ebook is free for all paid subs. You can find it here. Any updates/changes you’ll also get for free.

2. Resume and LinkedIn Reviews for founding members are here to stay

   1. You probably won’t find a better value deal than this anywhere on the market. Lot’s of folks have gotten back to me saying they’re receiving more inbound messaging from recruiters after this.

   2. Make sure to DM me here once you upgrade and I’ll contact you for next steps

3. 30 min consulting calls are back. You’ll be able to book these calls through calendly directly.

   1. if the time doesn’t work for you then DM me on here and we’ll work something out

4. If you’re in the market for a new office chair, check this out

   1. I’m sitting all the time for work and have 2 herniated disks. It’s night and day over the old $99 amazon chair I had.

5. Please give me a follow on instagram/tiktok on (@) randomrecruiter.

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A Personal Note

Two weeks ago, my father passed away.

He influenced every part of my life. That much is obvious. But what some of you may not know is how much he shaped my professional outlook too.

My dad wasn’t just a father. He was a Senior IT Director at a Fortune 100 company. To get to that level at that size of company, you can’t just be technically sharp. You have to navigate the corporate waters, play the long game, and build real relationships.

One of the most valuable lessons he passed down to me was the importance of networking. Not in the shallow sense of collecting LinkedIn connections or handing out business cards, but in the real sense: building trust, adding value, and maintaining relationships over decades.

What I learned from him is simple: skills open doors, but relationships get you in the room.

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Networking as the Hidden Lever

Most people underestimate networking.

They treat it like an afterthought. Something to do when they are laid off. Something to do when they feel desperate.

That is the wrong approach.

Networking is not a crisis button. It is a career habit. Done right, it creates a safety net that will carry you through recessions, layoffs, industry pivots, and even personal reinventions.

My dad started his career in IT in the 1980s at AT&T, just like 99% of people in New Jersey at that time. He did well there, but the real breakthrough came when he was referred into his next job, where he became an AVP.

Did he still have to interview? Yes. Did he still compete against other candidates? Of course. But he had something they didn’t: a sponsor who made sure his resume got in front of the right person.

That’s networking in action. It doesn’t replace competence. It amplifies it.

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The Compounding Effect of Relationships

At that AVP job, my father built relationships that lasted for decades.