The very savvy Nick Corcodolios of Ask the Headhunter fame recently stated that "the real purpose of a thank-you note is networking." While a post-interview thank-you note CAN influence a hiring decision in the here-and-now, Corcodilos points out that these notes are especially useful for laying the groundwork for staying in touch with important future contacts.

"Think about it," writes Corcodilos. "You just met an insider with whom you have shared ideas and who has given you a look at his business. You've just initiated a professional relationship with a manager who knows other managers and good people in your field and in other companies. You have opened the door to a new mentor; to a new network of great contacts; and to new help and advice."

Corcodilos goes on to say: "Consider that most jobs (70 percent or more) are found and filled through personal contacts. Consider that it's tough enough to get an interview or to find a qualified job candidate, and that every interview represents a highly-filtered, highly-qualified personal contact. If you lose touch with that person, you've squandered a resource that you simply cannot buy. Nowadays we all worry so much about filling a job or getting an offer that it's easy to lose sight of what really matters when we meet others in business: new friendships."

"Large corporations use referral programs to encourage employees to submit names of people they know for open positions," notes Kevin Donlin of Guaranteed Resumes. Pointing out that companies are willing to pay $500, $1,000, or more to employees who refer new hires, Donlin suggests that "it pays to start making friends at big companies you want to work for." Continues Donlin: "The best way to learn about employee referral programs is to strike up a relationship with someone at your target company -- and ask. A simple email will do. Then, keep in touch. Your contact may end up walking your resume into a hiring manager's office. You get hired and your 'advocate' gets a cash award -- win-win!"

It's time for our annual reminder that the holidays -- contrary to some conceptions -- can be a great time for networking and job-hunting in general. In a Net-Temps article Joe Hodowanes reminds readers (among other things) that "During the period between Thanksgiving and New Year's, many inexperienced or less motivated executives drop out of the market for various reasons. What this means is less competition! Those who step up their activity in December are more likely to gain the competitive advantage."

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