Networking etiquette: respecting your professional contacts: an estimated 70 to 80 percent of all jobs are filled by word-of-mouth referrals. Knowing how to effectively and respectfully use your professional contacts can make all the difference in your job search.

• Author: Kopiske, Walter
• Position: Management & Careers

While it is possible to find a job day without having to rely on personal connections, it's estimated that between 70 and 80 percent of all jobs that get filled are by people who first heard about the position through word of mouth. That is why networking is so important during a job search. In a recent survey commissioned by Robert Half Finance & Accounting, 80 percent of executives polled said that networking with others in their field or industry has been important in furthering their careers.

A professional network is indispensable when you're looking for a job--especially during uncertain economic times. Your contacts can suggest promising leads or put you in touch with firms that are hiring. They may provide you with first-hand information about an organization or give you the name of a staff member they know. In some cases, someone in your network might even be able to arrange a meeting for you with a hiring manager. Knowing who your network consists of and how to work with them appropriately are essential ingredients to finding your pathway to a job.

CREATE A CONTACT LIST

The first step in identifying your network connections is creating a contact list. Your goal is to reach people who can:

* Offer you a job now or in the near future

* Introduce you to someone who is hiring now or in the future

* Inform you about a job opening

* Give you information about a particular person or organization

Everyone you meet is a potential source of information. Your contact list will help you determine what actions you should take. Don't overlook friends, relatives, roommates, business acquaintances, former employers, and other people you already know. Each contact you make does more than add one person to your network. This is known as the ripple effect. A four-person network may not sound impressive, but when you consider that each of those four contacts may know four others who can help, suddenly you have a network of 20.

EXPAND YOUR NETWORK

Your networking circle widens exponentially with each contact you make, so furthering your reach increases your job exposure. Your contact list should include outreach to your local market. Other valuable resources for contacts include:

* Becoming active in professional organizations

* Attending career fairs

* Utilizing career centers

* Contacting your alumni association

* Taking classes that interest you or advance your career

* Doing community volunteer work

The Internet is another valuable way to reach...