A professional network can offer you many things, but perhaps the most talked about, is career growth. Research shows that people with stronger networks end up with higher salaries and more promotions. It makes sense. The more connected you are to people at different job levels, both inside and outside of your organization, the more likely you are to know about new opportunities when they arise. When senior employees within your company know the great work you’re doing, the odds of them putting your name in for a promotion increase. The same can be said for people externally. If an employer is hiring for a position that matches your capabilities and ambitions, having the right connection at that company can help you get your resume to the hiring manager.

In addition, when you interact with different people, you’re also constantly gathering information. Depending on who you’re connected to, you can use your network to get feedback on an important project (talk to your peers), learn insights about your industry (talk to a thought leader on LinkedIn), or even gain tips on how to excel in the culture of your organization (talk to a senior leader on your team). These interactions can result in you learning, growing, and performing at a higher level.