An unlikely source to network from

Recruiting firms seem to be a staple in Southern California so it is important to know how they work. They get paid a lot more than they end up paying you for your work so where possible get an assignment that is temp-to-hire for a maximum of three months. When you become an employee ask for more money than the temp agency was paying you if you are good at your job you will get it. I know you are thinking what has this got to do with networking–I’m getting there.
Recruiters are paid for every piece of business they bring in. Try and pick a recruiter who has similar interests with you so that you can get an accurate picture of how high or low to set your expectations. A good recruiter can tell you what organizations to join to get name recognition and face time with people who can help you mold your future but that will not happen if the recruiter has no idea where you are coming from and where you are looking to go with your career. To maximize chances of success I would recommend working with about five recruiters that specialize in the profession that you are qualified in or have an interest in. When you go in for an interview at the recruiter’s office be professional it is an interview like any other. Just think if the shoe were on the other foot would you think of hiring you? Know what your future aspirations are even if they may not be an exact match give the recruiter something to work with. Don’t forget to bring copies of your resume and go over and update your resume the night before so that you can fill-in any questions that may arise.
Always remember that having any job is better than having none at all is always good according to all the recruiters that I have worked with they want someone with a good work ethic and being unemployed for 6 months or more is a red flag other than for medical/family reasons or other conditions out of your control.
The best reason to work with more than one recruiter is that you will soon figure out the organizations that are worth joining and those that are not the more people you talk to. An additional benefit is that you get to pick the highest bidder and get some experience as you are looking for your ideal job. Some recruiters are fool of empty promises so if you hear a lot of caveats when a new position is being discussed know that you may or may not hear if you got the job and more likely than not it will be the latter and in this case no news is bad news.
Be prepared not to hear anything for months then get a phone call from a recruiter looking for your qualifications with the recruiter acting as if you last spoke weeks before. Be professional at all times and if you do accept an assignment no matter how brief do it as if it were the job of your dreams–you could become indispensable and be hired or meet someone who introduces you to someone who helps you get where you need to go.