Networking with new contacts and existing connections to land your next job works. In fact, Payscale, The Balance, SHRM, The Muse and others all report that networking is actually the most effective way to get hired.



That doesn't mean a job seeker should ignore traditional job boards in conducting their search — but there's a right way and a wrong way to use these platforms to your advantage.

Here are six smart ways you should be utilizing job boards: