Networking is the type of activity that can’t easily be quantified in terms of dollars. There are too many variables to determine what a missed networking opportunity might be worth.

However, a recent post on MN Headhunter outlines exactly what one contract worker gave up by refusing to network.

Not Enough Time To Network Becomes A $48,000 Mistake outlines how a series of missed networking opportunities led to him missing out on $48,000 worth of work.

How did they get to this value?

15 weeks x 40 hours = 600 hours

600 hours x $80 an hour = $48,000

Now I know that this isn’t the type of money that a New Grad would make, but it does illustrate the importance of networking.

What makes this story especially sad is that it appears that there were people willing to hire him:

One of our friends said, “I thought you would be at XYZ until after the 1st of the year, why did you not say anything? You know we would have taken you on.”

What’s the moral of the story?

You may not enjoy spending your time networking, but neglecting these opportunities can cost you a lot more than your time.

Have you missed an opportunity to network? Leave us a comment!

Related posts:

1. The First Rule Of Networking
2. Networking The Old Fashioned Way
3. What is networking?
4. The Layers of Social Networking
5. Mastering Proper Networking Techniques