1) Be Proactive: Build or reaffirm real world connections with people who are in the best position to help you in the next leg of your career. 2) Bring Others Together: If you see a chance to connect other people in your network with each other in truly helpful ways, then go for it. 3) Connect in Meaningful Ways: The pressure to network has led many people to randomly contact others they don’t know through networking sites asking for help. 4) Follow Up: When you meet someone at a job fair, professional conference, or even a social event that you think might offer a valuable contact in your network, it is critical to follow up with an invitation to a one-on-one meeting (say coffee or lunch). This can turn a very casual acquaintance into a solid node in your network.