I am the first person to admit that the word networking makes me shudder with displeasure. I like things to be authentic and organic and there is something about “networking” that screams awkward and slightly fake. But, the truth is, nearly 80% of jobs are found through networking not traditional outlets like job boards. With numbers to support it like that, the real question is how to do it in a way that feels comfortable and normal for you.

One of the biggest challenges to tapping your network when there is an opportunity you are interested in is that if someone isn’t a friend then you probably haven’t been in touch and now you are only reaching out because you need something. We found this great blog post on the Harvard Business Review that addresses this issue head on. They recommend three things:

1. Acknowledge the lapse in time
2. Explain the "Why now?"
3. Offer a quid pro quo

For more on each, visit:
http://blogs.hbr.org/glickman/2010/12/how-to-reach-out-after-losing.html?cm_mmc=email-_-newsletter-_-management_tip-_-tip012711&referral=00203&utm_source=newsletter_management_tip&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=tip012711

And, to keep track, CAC has a handy networking tracker that can be downloaded here: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/job-search-tools