Discuss the value of networking and effective networking practices.

Networking is the process of making informal connections with mutually beneficial business contacts.Networking is more essential than ever,because the vast majority of job openings are never advertised to the general public.To avoid the time and expense of sifting through thousands of applications and the risk of hiring complete strangers,most companies prefer to ask their employees for recommendations first.The more people who know you,the better chance you have of being recommended for one of these hidden job openings.Branch out by identifying people with similar interests in your target professions,industries,and companies.Read news sites,blogs,and other online sources.Follow industry leaders on Twitter.You can also follow individual executives at your target companies to learn about their interests and concerns.Be on the lookout for career-oriented Tweetups,in which people who've connected on Twitter get together for in-person networking events.Connect with people on LinkedIn and Facebook,particularly in groups dedicated to particular career interests.Remember that networking is about people helping each other,not just about other people helping you.Pay close attention to networking etiquette: Try to learn something about the people you want to connect with,don't overwhelm others with too many messages or requests,be succinct in all your communication efforts,don't give out other people's names and contact information without their permission to do so,never email your résumé to complete strangers,and remember to say thank you every time someone helps you.Finally,be aware that your online network reflects on who you are in the eyes of potential employers,so exercise some judgment in making connections.Also,many employers now contact people in a candidate's public network for background information,even if the candidate doesn't list those people as references.