FOAF-style network

What professional benefits do you see by investing some time in a FOAF-style network?

When I think of professional benefits, I automatically think of jobs or anything will high standing status. FOAF, friend of a friend, I believe is very effective. For example, going through the application process for colleges, some students that I graduated with got some pulls to colleges because of FOAF. Either family friends, coworkers of their parents, etc, friend of a friend, they got some leverages on certain colleges that other students did not have. This definitely carries over into the professional world. Sometimes I feel like this job force is all about connections, who you know through connections to simply get your name to the boss. Once you have your name in the boss' mouth, you stand above the other's you're competing against for the job, simply because he has you in mind. Also, using FOAF, another person knows their work ethics and could predict their future with the company, giving another benefit. They can basically judge if the person is suitable for the job. It's a safe decision because the company knows who they are hiring. People can use the FOAF style by searching for people that can take the job. Having a connection can make all the difference. For example, a couple of weeks ago, I was having a conversation with my brother, who just graduated college with an engineering degree, about my future job opportunities. At the end of the conversation, he simply said, "Well if you ever want to look into an engineering job, I could definitely get you one." And just like that, I'd have a job, even if it wasn't my college degree. FOAF pulls strings for people. FOAF can feed from friend to friend to friend. It is very beneficial for professional standards because word gets around like wild fire. If you know a person who you are friends with who is capable of having a job like your own, why not hire them? It's a win win situation. FOAF definitely has professional benefits.