Referral recruiting services such as Jobvite and JobGenie rely on the fact that people know other people who might need a new job. But what happens if your network is small? How do you go about growing the network?

There are lots of ways to grow your network. Even if you have a large network your network is a living organism the participants are always changing. People change jobs, move industries, cities, and even countries. This means you need to keep “feeding” your network with new contacts to keep it fresh and up to date.

The list below was originally published on Michael Specht’s blog but are worth reviewing as they are easy to implement tips on how to build up your professional network. I have updated some of Michael’s suggestions.

1. Join the social networks online: The first step for anyone today wanting to expand their network is to join LinkedIn. Further look to join more specialised services such as Twitter, FaceBook, MySpace and industry specific social networks that you may find on Ning.
2. Attend industry gatherings
   All industries have key groups and organisations where people of similar background gather, many are free or require minimal investments other than your time.
3. Get a personal business card
   When you build your network you want to make sure that it is transportable from employer to employer. By handing out a personal business card, not one from your current employer will assist with this process.
4. Meet 5 new people
   Don’t always associated with the same people. Every time you go to a professional or social event make sure you meet at least 5 new people.
5. You are a brand
   Brand yourself to your network in order to build it further, the more people know you to more people will want to know you.
6. Globalise the network
   When you were growing up, perhaps you had a pen-pal in a different country, in a global marketplace you never know when knowing someone in Tanzania will come in handy.
7. Become an information sponge
   Use a contact management tool to record e-mails, phone numbers, and everything else you can about the people you know.
8. Take control of your virtual presence
   Make sure that when people look for you online, your image is both accurate and flattering.
9. Join the virtual communities where your target market lives
   Once you have joined one group, ask the members where else they connect with like-minded people. Be sure to look for smaller groups within larger sites.
10. Take a leadership role in your industry
    Write a blog to cover your domain, and perhaps create an online community around your unique interests.
11. Join or establish Groups on Linkedin

You will be able to network with and discuss issues with people that have similar interests and come from similar industries.

12. Never eat lunch by yourself
    

Why take lunch at your desk when you can spend that time meeting new people or strengthening the relationships you have within your existing network