It's the Network

Breaking down what you need to know about networking when you're looking for a job
Networking. You hear the word everywhere. It's one of the most important aspects of job hunting, but it's also one of the most nebulous.

As anyone who has considered how best to go about networking will tell you, it raises a lot of questions. 

How do you network? Are there tried and true methods? Strategies? Or is it all just alley-cat charm and working a room? What is the line between networking and simply annoying?

For clarification, the idea of professional networking is making professional contacts who can help you in your career path or provide you with additional contacts who can. 

And truth be told, there isn't any 2+2=4 formula that can make you walk into a networking situation as a guru of the craft. A lot of it is in fact just practice, confidence and simply being yourself.

Though, that doesn't mean there aren't a couple of guideposts to light your way through the networking dark.

Here's a quick run through for those new to networking and those who need a reminder or two:

The Best Ingredients Get the Best Results
Only approach a networking situation with the best materials possible. Go over your resume and make sure it's completely clear of any typos. Get a business card for quick exchanging of contact info. And use it! Make sure you never leave the house or meet anyone that could make a difference in your career hunt without a business card on you.

Get a Focus, and Stay Focused
Sit down, and develop a list of people you want to meet, in industries of interest, and find a way to meet them. Don't be afraid to send an e-mail saying you respect them and would value their advice. Join local groups and trade organizations in the area. Or jump into the digital realm and connect with them on either Facebook or LinkedIn.

Take an Opportunity with Every Opportunity
Wherever and whenever you go, make sure to make a few contacts. Introduce yourself. Sitting on the sidelines is the opposite of getting in the game, so get over your fear and reservations. You never know when or where you could meet the person that could truly help you with getting a job. And as Wayne Gretzky once said, "You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take."

Shut Up and Listen
There are some misconceptions about what it means to networking, and a lot of people think that it's a situation where they can take the opportunity to tell a contact as much as they can about themselves. Not. The. Case. Networking is actually more about listening than talking because at its core it's about connecting. Who ever likes a one-sided conversation? Take the time to listen and learn from whomever you're networking with.

Be Memory-able
Always commit to memory names of the people you're meeting. Is a little insulting if you have to keep asking during a meeting. A good trick of remembering names is looking at a person's eye color and associating the name with the color in your mind. Experts say that this 'color-word' association increases memory retention.

Don't Be Fooled into Thinking You're Fooling Anybody
People know when they're being networked. Don't think that you're tricky. But this doesn't mean that people don't want to help, it just means that you shouldn't try to be their best friend in the world. Be yourself and know the nature of the relationship.