right people, ask for a contact name or a referral to a decision maker. Solicit input from the employees of the different companies. Find out about the corporate culture, job challenge, upward mobility or any other important issues that will help you decide if this is the right company for you.

If you take the time to search out the company you want to work for, understand the issues they face and make as many contacts as possible, the first impression you make will be golden. You can win at the game of whom you know, but only if you use networking as a tool to get you where you want to be.

Christine Kurz, is a Business Coach and business owner. Her company is called Business Coaching Essentials. She specializes in helping her clients with career management, leadership and business issues through individual and group coaching sessions, customized workshops, TeleEd and Inet classes. She can be reached at: 302-234-6550 or cdkurz99@aol.com .

For a 15-minute complimentary coaching consult, call 302-234-6550 and mention this article.

The above is an excerpt from The Last Job Search Guide You'll Ever Need: How to Find and Get the Job or Internship of Your Dreams, which is available for sale for $19.85 in our bookstore or $27.00 at Amazon.com but for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. This hot new book contains job search secrets of the most experienced, most knowledgeable and most respected career experts. Learn career planning, job hunting tools and tactics, interviewing, cover letter and resume writing (lots of samples!), networking, and how to find an internship. Written by 149 career experts. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.