Whenever you’re on the hunt for a new job, people will tell you to network. Unfortunately, few of us are naturals at it. There’s an art and a science to building professional relationships, and if you don’t feel comfortable with either aspect, you may miss out on this important part of your job search. Here’s how to

Know Your Network – If you actually take the time to write down a list of your professional and personal contact, you might be surprised at who you actually know. Better yet, you can think about who your contacts may know—or use LinkedIn to find out who else they’re connected with.

Set A Goal. If you attend a networking or other professional event, set yourself a goal: what do you want to achieve? Do you want to initiate contact with three people you know? Or meet five new ones? Scale up or down depending on the size of the event and your own comfort level. But push yourself to do something.

Don’t Oversell. Don’t turn people off by making them feel you’re only talking to them to get something from them. Listen. Show interest in what people are saying. You’ll learn more that way, and you’ll also build a better rapport with both old and new acquaintances.

Project a Positive Attitude. Avoid negative conversations—complaining, fretting or arguing—and focus on the positive. You’ll not only make a better impression, but you’ll feel more confident.

Dress to Impress. Speaking of impressions, that first one does count! Make sure you look your best at any professional event. Be clean and well-groomed to project the right image.

Be Prepared. Carry a business card or resume with you so you can hand it out if the right opportunity arises—you can even have a shortened resume printed on the back of a simple business card. Don’t just hand them out to everyone you meet, or you’ll look desperate, not discerning.

Keep Records. Track your networking activities so you can be sure to follow up or at least maintain regular contact with key people you’ve met. You may want to note those people with whom face-to-face meetings, even a quick cup of coffee, can be beneficial.

Stay Focused. Don’t attend events just for the sake of it. Target the right ones, where the other attendees will be more able to provide you with a potential job opportunity or have contacts you can leverage.

Go Online. In-person networking is valuable, but so are websites such as LinkedIn, Twitter and even Facebook. There are also company blog pages and online forums where you can make connections.

In the current market, more than 50 percent of jobs are filled through word of mouth. If you’re not networking, you’re missing out. But if you still feel your networking skills aren’t up to par, work with a reputable staffing and recruiting agency like Staffers. We can help you find the job that’s just right for your skills, experience and personality.