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One of the ways to find employment is through networking. There are reports that close to 60% of all jobs are found through networking. Networking involves developing contacts such as friends, family members, neighbors, college alumni and people in various associations and organizations that might be to provide job information and help generate leads. These direct contacts may have additional people they know that might be able to provide information about employment.

There are various ways in which one can network and be either informal or formal. Using email is more of an informal approach to networking. It is a way by which one can target hiring managers and make inquiries regarding available positions. Email messages should be brief and to the point and be free of errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Attending a party or holiday gathering is another informal approach to networking. One can casually mention in conversation that employment is being sought. Any recommendation should be investigated as it can never be determined where one might find assistance with a job. A co-op or internship position one year can lead to full-time employment the next year.

A more formal approach to networking would be to attend a business social, an association meeting or meetings that are designed specifically for networking. The last one, in particular, typically enables participants to give a brief introduction of themselves and present the type of employment for which they are looking. People also have the opportunity to speak with each other and exchange business cards. Many good leads can come out of this form of networking.

Another approach to networking is to use the Internet. This has become a powerful tool in recent years with the availability of job forums and message boards that enable job seekers to communicate with each other over time. There are also web sites that specialize in job and career networking that facilitate the job search process.