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Gone are the days when the concept of advancing your career through networking meant taking on some cash-in-hand work clearing out your mate's attic, following a conversation in the pub. Networking events and online communities can contribute directly to your advancement up the career ladder, if you know how to find and use them.

It can be slightly depressing to consider that most jobs are snapped up prior to making it into the newspapers or agencies, but it's sadly the case; now more than ever, the aphorism "it's not what you know, it's who you know" applies to employment.

The "hidden job market" - positions taken through contacts - accounts for anywhere between 50% - 70% of all positions filled in the UK, according to various universities' career advice boards. So how do you take advantage of this? Start by finding existing networks, involve yourself in them, and meet people.

How to find the networks


Two types of networks are common: social ones and online communities. Job search engines such as Monster often list online network communities, such as major field player Ecademy which bills itself as a social networking arena for business people. Online networks like this - where you subscribe, add details about yourself and then meet like-minded people - take the hard work and handshaking out of networking and are worthwhile fall-back devices or sidelines.

There is no substitute for the actual business of going to events and meeting people, though. Events, by their nature, have to be well-promoted and so keep your eyes open for mailshots. Check the recruitment pages of any industry publications or newspapers for ads as well.

Try a web search for "[your sector name] business networking events UK" to find local events. Contact local universities, asking to speak to their career advisory service - while you may have been working for years, they often have lists of events which are not student-specific. Schedule in one event a week which relates to your sector or the sector you want to move into, and begin to prepare.

What to do next

Research the topic, take along supplementary information which may help you in any seminars or meetings which are organized around the event, pull your smart suit out of the wardrobe and grab a stack of business cards. This is why cards exist; you'll pick up tens of them from others at every event you attend. Remember a notepad or PDA so that you can take the details of the people you'll be meeting.

Following up

You'll leave the event with loads of new contacts and for them to be even slightly useful, you'll need to follow them up. Even if you don't plan on asking a person to help you out, of offer them any help yourself, stay in touch; the chances are that you'll see them at another event, and the ice will already have been broken.

Naturally, how you use your contacts depends greatly on your career choice or sector, but you have to remember to offer something in return for any favours that people might offer you. If you hear of a position in your company which might suit one of them, offer it to them. Just been sent the URL to an excellent online resource? Pass it on.

Keep growing the list of contacts, and make a name for yourself as a helpful networker, and you will find the offers of new positions, freelance work, assistance or references flooding in.