Networking is the process of discovering and utilizing connections between people. Genuine networks stem from friendships or business relationships. Everyone knows other people, and thus has a network. But "networking" implies movement beyond one's immediate network and involves tapping into other people's networks, perhaps far removed from one's own.

It is a planned process in which you will interact with and become known, through formal and informal settings, to people who can provide information about job openings, leads, personal contacts, employers that are hiring, etc. Networking is about talking with people and obtaining referrals so that every contact you make is a "warm" contact. You may feel a bit awkward about asking for help this way. It takes skill to network effectively. Networking is a must to uncover job opportunities in the "hidden" job market which constitutes over 50% of jobs (The U.S. Department of Labor reports that 63.4 % of all workers use informal job finding methods).