You see an online job posting that you like. You do not know anyone in the company. You do not know someone who knows someone. But you submit your resume.  

The chances are, when you are rejected, no one will call to reject you.

How cool is that? Rejection without the penalty of pain.  

This is the digital version of cold calling, one of the most ineffective ways to make a sale. Let’s not mince words. When you submit your resume, you try to sell a prospective employer something – your value. But the process is heavily weighted against you. You want to sell something. But you are not on the phone or in the room to plead your case. Even if you get through on the telephone, your odds of making the sale are about one in 209.

Does this sound like a great argument for developing a strategic network?