Nab a new job by networking your way to success!

The easiest way to land your next position may be to tell a friend that you're looking for one.

- GABRIELLE LICHTERMAN

"Networking is a powerful tool for job seekers of all ages," promises Indeed.​com career expert Priya Rathod. In fact, research shows that companies fill up to 50% of openings through personal referrals often before they publicly post them. That's because hiring managers are more likely to trust a candidate is a great fit when someone vouches for them. Fortunately, we can all learn to network. Here, a few easy steps:

1. List the people you know

Jot down the names of anyone you might reach out to. “Make a list of former coworkers, supervisors, clients, volunteer contacts or even people from community groups,” recommends Rathod. Only have a few names? No problem! “You don’t need a huge network to see results,” she assures.

2. Prepare with a pitch