Associating with others to exchange and shape ideas for the purpose of advancing your job search and career position is what job search networking is all about.

Since most jobs go unannounced and are often filled before you even knew there was a job, if you are going to conduct a job search, rather than look for a job, start rebuilding old acquaintances and making new ones. You’ll find the answer to the cry where are all the jobs? just by going out and making new friends. Here are some “quick tips”:

• Start building solid permanent relationships while you are still employed

• Become known in professional associations

• Reacquaint yourself with peers in other companies

• Push out emails to update friends and acquaintances

• Know yourself, what you stand for; what drives you; What it is you value; why it is you do what you do

• “Be in the know”. Know your market: Stay informed of changes and events; the flow of money – of people; signals of things to come (markets; companies; industries; players)

• Have a strategy that captures and presents your strengths, competencies and verifiable experiences

• Set up meetings with contacts and ask for suggestions on your strategy

• Talk to your competition. They are a source of information and may be looking, too

• Truism: You make more meaningful contacts by becoming interested in others than by trying to interest others in you

• Do your homework! Take the time to understand other people’s agendas before setting up a meeting for your own

• Encourage brainstorming; ask open-ended questions

• Use simple language when talking with others. Don’t make the listener plow through jargon

• Show them you are focused and tell them how to help: Leads, additional targets and referrals

• Be entrepreneurial! Think and act creatively, i.e. consider joining or starting a small venture with other knowledgeable professionals

• Call a friend and get energized before calling a contact for a meeting

• Choose your words carefully: Mark Twain once said, “The difference between the right word and the almost-right word is like the difference between lightening and lightening bug.”

There’s plenty more on this subject. These are only some “tips” that hopefully will get you motivated. Whether you are employed “but looking” or unemployed and “need to look”, rebuilding past relationships and developing new ones are always a good start.

Rob Taub, a native of New York presently residing in Boston, is a 21-year veteran in the career consulting field and is currently the Director of the RLS Executive Group, N.E. for RL Stevens & Associates. He has also been active as a fund-raiser for Technology in Education, an auctioneer with WGBH Public Television, a debate moderator with Community Access Television, an instructor for Junior Achievement and a youth sports coach. He has also been a guest speaker for community organizations, chambers of commerce, colleges and alumni associations on a wide range of subjects including Education, Technology, Career Management, Marketing Communications and Direct Selling