In the pre-industrial world, workers lived in isolation, usually on farms, and had little contact with one another. Read the full a report on Telework and the New Workplace of the 21st Century . To understand the importance of networking, it's helpful to examine how people get their jobs. See a graphic representation of how people get their jobs . Remember the prospective employer is buying you.
Companies make quite an investment over the years in terms of benefits, wages and company rewards.
Choosing the wrong candidate will result in lost salaries, and an unfilled job, funds spent on employment ads, recruiters and time lost pursuing the unfavorable task of interviewing are to name a few. Therefore, they care more about meeting their needs than yours. Ideally, you want a match that suits you both. So, keep your needs in mind. However, for the sake of landing the job, focus on how you will benefit the company.