“My career resolution for 2014:  Network with one new person per week,” a former colleague of mine recently posted on Facebook. That’s right, one person every week for 52 weeks (and we aren’t simply talking about gathering 52 new LinkedIn connections).  Some may be energized by this and eagerly take on the same challenge.  Many would sooner resolve to run a marathon before meaningfully networking with 52 new people.

But she is on to something.

Not only is networking here to stay, it is arguably one of the most, if not the most important skill to be successful in a job search.  These days, submitting a resume and cover letter to an online job posting is pretty much the equivalent of uploading those documents to a deep, black hole.  Recruiters and hiring managers are inundated with an average of 200 applications per job posted.  And the “Hidden Job Market” is stronger than ever, with almost 50% of hiring happening via internal referrals and networking where hiring managers seek to find the best candidates via trusted recommendations – instead of posting their job opening to the masses.

You may not aim to network with a new person every week this year, but how about make a goal to develop the skill of networking.  You might find that you’re a natural, or that with practice and a plan it becomes easier.  Here are 5 ways to network like the pros and turn it into a worthwhile – even enjoyable – pursuit.

1.  Change your perspective.

If networking seems daunting to you, you’re not alone.  I meet with many clients and MBA students who have very impressive resumes, yet they don’t feel comfortable “asking for something.”  It feels unnatural, they aren’t “schmoozers,” and they feel awkward talking about themselves.

If this describes you, the first step is to change your perspective.

Stop thinking about it as asking for something/all-about-you and start thinking about it as meeting new people, learning from them, and making a good impression.  You might build a connection with someone who ultimately refers you for an open position, or passes your resume onto a colleague or friend who is hiring.  By expanding your network, you are positioning yourself for a successful job search – one where you will build advocates, research opportunities, and find mentors.

And remember, networking is not (and shouldn’t be) about asking for a job, so no need to put that kind of pressure on yourself. Mostly, it’s about making conversation and relating to people – people who may be able to grow into advocates or help connect you to other helpful people who can be good resources.

2.  Determine your objective and do your homework!

To be good at networking, you need to treat it like every other important pursuit in your life:  Be prepared and do your homework.

Before a networking meeting or event, ask yourself a few important questions:

• What is it I would want to get out of attending this event or meeting with this person?
• What questions will I ask so that I can learn more about their role, their company or industry?
• Do I want to ask them to introduce me to a specific person?  Or do I simply need some advice?
•  Is there anything YOU can offer them?

You will make a great first impression and likely get more from your interaction by doing some simple research.  Do a quick LinkedIn search of the person you will be meeting with, visit the company website, look up any recent news on the company – this will allow you to quickly develop some context. While you probably won’t find yourself reciting facts about them (note – don’t look like a stalker!), you never know when you’ll have an opening in the conversation to make a smart observation, informed by your research.

3.  Prepare and practice your pitch

When I consult with clients I often see people who are perfectly comfortable in their own skin who stumble when it comes to giving their pitch. Why?  Because they haven’t gotten it out of their heads and onto their tongues. When you’re put on the spot or feel you have just one minute to deliver your elevator pitch, what will you say? And can you say it in 30 seconds?

Think about your intro, your value proposition, and your “ask” (what do you want from this interaction?  The opportunity to learn more about xzy…).  You need to have some way of piquing their interest, especially if it’s in an environment with lots of other people. Before you drone on about yourself and your background, figure out an ‘in’ – something that will make them want to stay and talk with you for a minute or two. THEN, you can tell them a little more about your background. Don’t fall into the trap of simply ticking off bullet points from your resume. Your pitch should be tailored and relevant to your audience.

Not all situations call for a prepared pitch.  Even when the opportunity appears, rarely will you give your entire pitch, but the point is to know it cold, and have your story ready so you can comfortably tailor it and weave highlights into a conversation with just about anyone.  By practicing out loud – and practicing some more – you’ll soon discover that you will sound much more natural and less rehearsed.

4.   Be curious.  Be generous.

There’s also a lot to be said for being likable and engaging.  Are you going to develop an advocate if they find you off-putting, overly aggressive, or self-involved? During the conversation, remember to LISTEN and ASK questions first and foremost. It’s no myth that most people like to talk about themselves.  So be an active listener by truly focusing on what the person is saying and ask open-ended questions that encourage them to speak about their own experiences.  Meaty questions that are sure to elicit substantive responses are “What projects are you working on right now?” and “What are some of the challenges of your role?” Most people like to play the role of mentor and share their own experiences and advice.

Certainly if you find opportunities in the conversation to inject information about your own background or objectives, do so.  Being an active listener means looking for an opening in the discussion to offer some of your expertise. Do you have some knowledge or market intelligence that could help them in their job? If so, offer to share it with them. If you have a contact they should meet, offer to make the introduction. Being likable and generous in your networking engenders trust and will make someone more willing to help you.

5.  Develop the relationship

Before you walk into a networking meeting – and after the meeting – think long term. Don’t treat it as a one-time transaction. The reality is you never know who might remember you and one day be helpful. While your immediate objective may be finding a job, you are building a network for the future. So, consider ways to nurture this budding relationship to keep it going.

Soon after your meeting (within 24 hours) send a thank you email. It should be as simple as thanking the person for their time and generosity, and it’s key to refer to a topic from your discussion and what you took away from it.

If they’ve given you advice or referred you to a colleague or friend, remember to update them on the outcome; it keeps them invested in you and sustains the relationship. It also gives you another excuse to check in with them at a later date. Those periodic check-ins sometimes yield the most generous outcomes – such as an offer of freelance work or a head’s up on future opportunities at their company.

If a relationship blossoms, and an ongoing connections develops, you never know where it might lead.

Here’s to making 2014 the year you embrace networking!