You wrote that “If you’re looking for a job, I’d highly recommend word of mouth over anything else!” – yes that true, people that make value above average for their employers are finding jobs ~only via their contact’s network.

An great coach here in poland which is run great blog (alexba.eu) wrote an great article that you are worth for a market that much as:

your value for the market = skills x abblility to sell yourself x your business contact’s network

So for an example if you got:
skills = 8
ability to sell yourself = 3
contact’s network=1
8x3x1 = 24

in other case:
skills = 4
ability to sell yourself = 4
contact’s network = 4
4x4x4= 64

third example as:
skills = 8
ability to sell yourself = 7
contact’s network = 6
8x7x6= 336

So if you want to make more value to the market you have to not only improve you skills, but also abblility to sell yourself & contact’s network.

Good luck Warren

Best Regards,
Kamil