How to (really) build a network

One thing I’ve noticed — that only people who move from “third world countries” notice — is the value of networking in English-speaking countries. A strong network is not something good to have; it’s a must to have. A good network goes a long way: if you’re a dumb ass and have a strong network, you’ll do better career-wise than if you’re a genius who nobody knows.

But. (There’s always a but, isn’t there?)

When people talk about the value of having a robust network, I agree wholeheartedly. When people talk about “networking” as a skill that must be…