Sorry, I'm simply going to disagree with you. The assumption that you've made, which is that I'm extroverted, is not true. Introverts can exercise extreme wil

Sorry, I'm simply going to disagree with you. The assumption that you've made, which is that I'm extroverted, is not true. Introverts can exercise extreme willpower and actively build acquaintanceships. I stand by my recommendations for everyone: if you get a job offer, do not accept it until you are acquainted with someone working at that company. Period. Regardless of the level of challenge that this is for you. Even if that means (on your way out of an on-site interview) barging into someone's workspace, interrupting them apologetically, and kindly requesting they spend five minutes talking to you. What's going to happen if you barge in (during your interview) and apologetically interrupt someone you have no business talking with? Are they going to sue you? For what? Doing this, very simply, will give you a very good outcome over the short, medium, and long term. It's the best advice in existence. No other advice is remotely as good. Besides telling you how I evaluate offers, I've given you the best advice that exists. Period. I am claiming no advice in existence is nearly as good. That is an extreme claim and the benefits I've cited justify it. If you disagree, you are wrong. The argument I am using is this one: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof_by_assertion https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof_by_assertion but I am actively choosing to make this argument, on the strength of its validity. It is, simply speaking, correct. (A glance at my karma and posting history will show that I am serious.) Do this. Don't do anything else suggested by anyone in this thread. (Or at least, not until you do this.) This is the advice that will actually make you happy. It does not require an existing network. You can do it ad-hoc and at the last minute. You are NOT done until you have at least an email acquaintanceship with someone working for that company. Drill that into your life and live it. This determines your happiness over the next 1, 2, 4, 10 and 40 years. Regardless of the level of challenge this poses for you: do it. As you can see, I feel very strongly about this!