When it comes to social networking — the process of connecting via the Internet (e.g., Facebook, LinkedIn, blogs) — the operative word for job-seekers is not "social." If you are going to use this technology to help you find work, you first must learn the basics of networking. Otherwise, you might reach more people but still not advance your job search.

Here are some basics for good networking and a few tips for the new-fangled version of this activity.

NETWORKING BASICS

1. Choose the right people. Your strategy should not be to meet everybody, with hopes that someone will lead you to a job. Just the opposite, in fact. You're better off networking with a short list of 10 to 20 people who fit your specific needs for information or contacts.

AMY LINDGREN

WORKING STRATEGIES

2. Make your contacts feel special. Break the e-mail rut by sending a greeting card; remember to ask about family members or vacation plans; share a funny story about yourself . . . Treat each person like a potential friend, not like an ATM for your job-search needs.

3. Accept offers of help graciously. Someone will offer you something you see little value in, such as a coffee meeting with a person in the "wrong" industry. Go anyway. In-person meetings are the goal; if your contact is going out of his or her way to arrange one, there's probably a reason and a benefit to you.

4. Reciprocate. Master networkers go so far as to keep databases of their networking contacts, so they can offer help to other people. A few sticky notes by the computer probably will serve the purpose.

SOCIAL NETWORKING TIPS

1. Don't get carried away with the technology. If you're spending more time setting up a system than actually connecting with people, this might not be the right tool for you. In the same light, don't contact a million people just because the technology makes it easy.

2. Move from the e-world to terra firma. Once you've established contact with someone, assess whether there would be value in meeting face-to-face or at least talking on the phone. You will need at least some real-world connections to advance your job search.

3. Be safe. While in-person connections are the gold standard in networking, you still need to be safety-conscious when meeting people from the Internet. Choose a public place, or go with another person you both know.

4. Use good e-etiquette. If you say you're going to forward information, do it. Don't share your contact's e-mail address or circulate it in a mass e-mail. And, for heaven's sake, don't send goofy jokes or chain letters.

For a list of popular social-networking sites, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/list_of_social_networking_websites.

- Amy Lindgren owns Prototype Career Service, a career consulting firm in St. Paul, Minn. She can be reached at alindgren@prototypecaree rservice.com or at 1071 W. Seventh St., St. Paul, MN 55102.