Whether you’re looking for a new job or hoping to get ahead in your current one, networking can be a helpful asset.  It’s true that despite your talent or lack thereof, many times it’s who you know that can help you get where you want to be.  Making contact with as many people in your field as possible can open up many opportunities that you may not have found otherwise.  And networking doesn’t have to be a chore.  It can be fun, easy, and even become second nature if you follow these tips:

• You don’t have to network face-to-face.  The internet is a very common way to find colleagues and helpful contacts.  You can join a website devoted solely to professional networking, such as LinkedIn, find designated chat rooms, or even use your social networking profile (Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, etc.) as a way to find the right people.
• If you do choose the online world as your forum, remember to stay tactful.  Especially if you’re using a social networking platform as your main method, keep it as professional as possible.  Don’t post status updates or photos about your wild weekend.  Definitely be yourself, but don’t include every last vulgar or simply unnecessary detail.  Employers have been known to check candidates’ personal sites even if that’s not how the contact was made.  Post pictures of the one night in three years that you got a little rowdy and the employer may believe that’s how you act all of the time and choose not to hire you.
• Visit trade shows, attend any meet-and-greet opportunities offered to you, and generally keep your eyes open in your daily life.  Don’t be afraid to talk to people.  Small talk is not taboo as a way to get a conversation going.  You may start talking to someone at the grocery store about a similar interest or hobby and find out later that they can help you in your career field or direct you to someone they know.  Carry business cards or any other convenient item that can help your new contact find you again later.
• Stay positive and have some enthusiasm.  Networking won’t create the ideal job opportunity overnight.  It takes time and lots of talking.  Don’t let yourself get discouraged, and especially don’t quit just because you haven’t found the right contact by any deadline you may have set for yourself.  You’ll be networking when you don’t realize it even after you’ve landed your dram job.
• Don’t be afraid to ask your networking contacts for help, and be sure to offer help in return.  They consider you a professional contact as well, so the expectations go both ways.  Speak up when you need some guidance (that’s what you’re making contacts for), and make sure you’re available for others at the same time.

Many jobs are offered more through word-of-mouth than through online postings.  Employers can find more candidates by way of referral and eliminate the need to sift through potentially hundreds of unqualified applicants to find the good ones.  If you don’t talk to people, you may miss out on a great opportunity as well as a great reference.  And that’s all job networking really is: talking to people.  If you’re intimidated in person, don’t forget about the internet.  View every situation as a networking opportunity, and you can’t miss.