No matter how you may dislike it or try to avoid it, the best way to power up your job search will be through extensive networking and relationships building. This aspect of your job search will bring you close to decision makers and more importantly will put you in touch with other professionals who have working relationships with industry leaders.

So while the call of the Internet may tempt with its wealth of online networking sites and social media tools, don't be misguided into conducting all your networking activities from your computer.

However, avoid randomly attending every event or party that you hear about to simply fufill your networking quota, take the time to review your list of target companies, determine the key people you want to meet and identify the activities and events that would bring you face-to-face with them.

In addition, think carefully about what you can offer another person in terms of resources, information, tools and other contacts. The best networking relationships are those that are built on a give-and-receive basis.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

1) Have a professional business card

Even if you are currently unemployed, it is critical that you portray a professional image by having business cards with your name, contact information and value-driven branding statement on them. Use vistaprint.com for easy-to-use, inexpensive stationery resources.

2) Have a strong 30-second pitch

In any networking event, beyond the word "hello", you will be asked about yourself and what you do. Rather than saying "Oh, I am in between jobs and looking for work", try something like this:

"Hi, my name is Sharon Smith. I am a Manufacturing Executive and have built a professional reputation engaging cutting-edge technologies that helped global manufacturing companies ABC Plastics, Newform Manufacturing, and TechNec Corporation achieve aggressive revenue growth and improve operating cost objectives."

3) Check out local networking and job search support groups

If you are looking to stay in your local area, there are often a wide number of networking events and breakfast meetings that you can attend - start off with your local Chamber of Commerce and explore others like local chapters of industry associations and alumni clubs.

4) Have a follow up plan

The goal of networking events is not to simply collect tons of business cards and talk to everyone in the room. If you leave an event with only three business cards, but it (the event) has put you in contact with people who can hand deliver your resume to a hiring manager or help you schedule an informational interview, then you have succeeded.

With so much activities going on in our lives these days, you have to make it a point to re-connect and follow up with target individuals within 48 hours after every event.

Have a hard time getting motivated? Invite a friend or colleague to accompany you to an event.