Maximizing networking opportunities

The road to a new job is lined with networking opportunities. Put another way, the vast majority of job-seekers find a new job not through online job boards or responding to job ads, but through using their contacts (and contacts of their contacts) to uncover real job leads that result in job interviews -- and eventually, job offers.

Think out of the box for expanding your network of contacts. Get more involved in your community and profession. Join more organizations. Use online networking. Attend networking events, but also use social events (like weddings, neighborhood block parties, etc.) to build your network.

For help with networking, see The Art of Career and Job-Search Networking.