Everyone knows that networking is the most effective way to find a new job, and yet most people feel their network is far too small. I want to share with you the secret of how to grow your network painlessly.

How to grow your network painlessly
First of all, what is your network? It is simply the relationships you have with people, and when it comes to job hunting, people who are willing to help you. The more people you know who are willing to talk with you about your job search, the faster you'll find a new job.

Here's the secret to growing your network
Help other people. Make it your goal to help people you meet naturally during your day. Be intentional. Look for ways to help co-workers, neighbors, people in your professional organization, (What? You don't belong to a professional organization?), people at conferences and every new person you meet.

The reason this works is the rule of reciprocity, which says that if you help people, they will be favorably inclined to return the favor in the future. By helping others you are making deposits in accounts that you can withdraw later.

What can you offer?
Whatever might be helpful, and it doesn't have to be a big deal. Perhaps you can send them a link to a website, or a copy of a relevant article. Introduce them to someone in your network. If they are in sales, ask them what a good prospect looks like. The important thing is to cultivate a habit of being interested in the needs of others. Once you discover their needs, you are well on the way to finding a way that you can help.

If you find someone who is feeling unsatisfied in their job, suggest they visit take a career assessment. They can be a powerful tools that identify what truly motivates a person. Career assessments can help people move confidently toward a more satisfying job.

The end of this story: If you make it a goal to help one new person each week, you will soon have a network that any executive would envy.

Article by Henry Neils, President and Founder of Assessment.com, the leading online career assessment company focused on helping employees and employers work together for their mutual benefit. Millions of people have gained personal insight into their careers by using the tools, such as MAPP™ (Motivational Appraisal of Personal Potential), provided at Assessment.com."