Myth #1: Networking is simply getting a job because you know someone.

The following is not a likely scenario:

You: I know Darren – he’s a big shot at Accenture. He said you’d give me a job.

Recruiting Director: Of course, I will. You’re hired. We’ll see you on Monday morning at 9:00. I’m assuming $200,000 will work for you as your new IT Specialist salary.

Sadly, that’s not what networking is all about.

Networking is about tapping into connections you have to help you gain the opportunity to get a job. When they say that 66% of people get jobs through networking, it doesn’t mean that 2/3 of people were handed their job because they happened to know someone. It means someone helped them get the interview or helped them get their resume noticed by HR.

When it’s time to hire a candidate, recruiting directors are looking for some help. This is because the recruiting department is flooded with resumes. As a result, there’s no way to interview all the qualified applicants. There might be sixty or seventy people in the pile of 500 resumes who could do the job, but it’s tough to know who the best ones are.

If you are recommended by someone in the company, it doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed a job – or even an interview. However, the fact that you come “prescreened” by someone at the organization dramatically enhances your chance of getting that interview.

At smaller organizations, the situation can be similar. Without a dedicated recruiting department, usually someone at the company says, “Hey, we need a new receptionist. Does anyone know someone?”

In either scenario, having a connection is your key to landing a job.

Myth #2: You need to know some heavy hitter or the Director of HR to network.

In order to network, you simply need someone – anyone – in the company to pass your resume on to HR. It doesn’t need to be an employee in the department that interests you, and it doesn’t need to be a senior executive.

In fact, when I worked at Leo Burnett, I actually preferred recommendations from more junior employees. Let’s be honest, the CEO’s country club’s friend’s daughter’s college roommate probably hasn’t been vetted by the CEO. But the Account Executive’s buddy, who has worked at a competitive agency, is probably a much better candidate.

Just make sure you find someone at the company to pass along your resume.

Myth #3: You need to know tons of connected people to network.

You may be surprised with how big your network is once you expand your perspective. In fact, you probably have more connections than you think. Just consider a few of these:

* Your friends
* Your parents
* Your parents’ friends
* Your friends’ parents
* Your neighbors
* Your dentist
* Your hairstylist
* Your personal trainer
* Your old colleagues
* Your old professors

If there’s a company where you really want to work, make sure you start talking to anyone you know to find the connection. It’s called six degrees of separation. Sure, you may not know anyone at Google, but does anyone you know know someone who works there?

Don’t forget your college career center – even if you graduated years ago. At some schools, alumni organizations provide amazing resources and opportunities. Also, don’t be shy about using LinkedIn or even Facebook to find contacts.