Searching the help wanted ads and sending out resumes is only the beginning of a successful job search and career. The bottom line is it is not what you know but, who you know. Well, at least to a certain extent. Most people get their job through networking. They either knew someone at the place of employment or heard about the job opening through a friend.

Some think of networking as an underhanded scheme but when used correctly, it can be a successful tactic. Networking is not as difficult as it sounds. By starting with personal friends and relatives and moving to professional contacts, you can comfortably ease yourself into many new opportunities.

Networking does not have to happen at a job fair or a career expo, and it does not have to be an uncomfortable situation. You can network in any situation where you have the opportunity to meet people. Making an extra effort to initiate conversation and being pleasant whenever you are meeting people can lead you into new networks. This does not mean that you should use every meeting with a new person to overtly sell yourself or your skills. When meeting new people get to know about them, their business, and their needs. Being able to hold a two-sided conversation allows both people to get to know each other. The ultimate goal of networking is to interact with people you enjoy talking to and being able to get to a level of comfort where you can do a favor for them and in turn they can do a favor for you.

People feel that once they have a job they no longer need to network. However, maintaining good relationships with your network of friends and associates can only be a positive in your business life. Adding people to your network while employed is always a good idea for future opportunities or unemployment. If you lose track with your network and find your self in need of a favor down the road, it will not be easy to reconnect after a lengthy period of time.

Be thoughtful of what favors you offer to others. If you are not comfortable referring someone for a position due to their lack of qualifications, then do not do it. Offering bad referrals makes you look as though you have bad judgment and overshadows anything you might try to do in the future. If you are not comfortable with someone else’s referral for you, politely decline. Having your name linked with someone who is unprofessional will never help your networking endeavors.