With all the challenges and changes necessary to land a job in the current market, some things have not changed.
In fact, some aspects of an effective job search have been consistent and others have gotten better.
Networking is still as essential as ever in conducting a good job search.
Many expert career advisors believe it is a crucial career-building element and that it should be given top priority.
A great resume and excellent skills are the only other things that rank as high.
Most of them also agree that networking usually receives the least amount of attention.
Fortunately, it is a skill that can be mastered quickly and effectively with the right knowledge.
The traditional definition of networking for a job search meant making sure your job references were still available.
That's a good place to start, but the true definition is so much broader than that.
Effective networking means exhausting every available resource to make connections with the people who are in a position to assist you.
Thanks to modern technology, the variety of networking opportunities is no longer limited to the telephone, the office water cooler, or the golf course.
A Networking 101 Guide for the 2008 job hunter:

• Start by building a database of the names of people you already know.
  That could be a list of colleagues and managers from previous jobs or people from your college years.
  Anyone you shared a career or professional interest with at some point in time should be included.
  
• In addition to names, addresses and phone numbers, you'll want to add email addresses, websites, current employers or schools and a brief note about your common interest.
  If your contact has a unique talent, a rare skill or expertise in a particular area, you'll want to add that, too.
  Hobbies and sports are another area to include.
  You never know what will bring you and your contact together in the future.
  And it's a good idea not to trust everything to memory as time passes over the years.
  
• Keep the list current by dedicating time to maintain and update it at least once a year or every six months, if possible.
  That wonderful database can soon become obsolete if the information in it is no good.
  Maintaining your networking database will also give you a good excuse to stay in touch.
  
• Consider every connection you make an opportunity to expand your contact list.
  The office is not the only source of job connections.
  When you strike up a conversation at the bank or the PTA meeting, don't be timid about exchanging information.
  That person may be the one to introduce you to your next employer.
  
• Join every professional organization, club or interest group that you can in an effort to grow your database.
  Explore social networking websites that are specifically designed for business networking, or the ones that target your career interests.
  
• The actual networking begins by simply asking for information.
  Many jobs openings are never advertised or made public.
  Sometimes the "who you know" grapevine will prove more effective than any other career search strategy.
  Receiving advanced notices of new positions and even rumors will lead to a new job opportunity.
  Conversely, that same information can be valuable in steering you away from a poor career choice or a company that may be in financial trouble.
  
• Be considerate of your contact's time and availability.
  Use the information you receive with discretion and treat everything as confidential, even if your contact doesn't actually ask you to do so.
  Do it not only because you never know when you will need them again, but also because it's the right thing to do.
  
• Lastly, offer your own knowledge, expertise and information about the job market to others.
  Become a resource that your contacts would like to network with as well- and be willing to share your own insider tips.
  Successful networking at its best should be a mutually rewarding activity.