Looking for a job can be frustrating. Take action! Discover the secret of successful networking and find out how job opportunities find you instead of you finding them.

So you're looking for a new job. You have written a compelling CV and crafted a perfect cover letter. You've made contact with job agencies, read the career sections in the papers and sent out numerous applications.

That's great, at least for a start. However, all it really means is that now you're prepared to begin with your real job hunt. Without doubt, recruitment agencies, major and minor newspapers or websites dedicated to job listings are useful tools when looking for employment.

They will give you a feeling for what is available on the market, skills that are in demand and salary ranges you can ask for. For some people reading or placing job ads, either in print or online, might work.

However, if your applications gets turned down again and again, it might not be because of your insufficient skill set or expertise. More likely it's because a growing percentage of vacant jobs all over the world are filled through personal referrals. In fact, many of these jobs wouldn't even be publicly advertised , in particular at executive level.

That's why you need to start networking if you're serious about getting a good job fast and without unnecessary frustration. Today, networking has become a key strategy that people use to find new jobs, change careers, advance in their careers or get back into the work force.

The Australian Institute of Management defines networking "as connecting with others without the need for immediate gain ... a proactive investment in the future aimed at building a relationship with another well before assistance is sought."

Growing your list of private, professional and business contacts through networking is a powerful tool and more and more people use it. You can hardly pick up any business or trade magazine without seeing an article about it. You can hardly go out for breakfast without seeing the waitress taking orders for strong Flat Whites and Short Blacks from a group of professionals who deliberately got together to make new business contacts.

Don't underestimate the power of networking. Use it, get your diary out, block time to actively grow the number of people you know. Done well, networking will magically unlock doors for you that you never thought existed and present you with great opportunities.

Networking is a skill, and like almost any other skills, it's possible for you to learn it. To be upfront with you, you better be good at networking, since done badly it will backfire and your career is gone.

Get active! Tap into existing networks and attend a formally organised networking event by networking groups such as the Australian Businesswomen's Network (www.abn.org.au) or Business Networks International (www.bni.com). Capitalize on natural networking opportunities that occur when you play golf or shop in your local supermarket. All you have to do is learn and embrace essential rules of how to become a successful networker and job offers will find you instead of you finding them.