Career experts and bloggers tell job seekers time and time again that networking is a critical part of the job search and is a necessary step towards landing their next position. But without concrete evidence proving that networking works, it can be tough advice to follow through on - effective networking can be a difficult skill to master and it takes real effort to establish and maintain professional connections.

A recent article on WSJ.com helps prove that networking works and is worth the effort. Roughly a quarter of 2009 hires were based on employee referrals, whereas candidates that came through online job boards accounted for only 13 percent. 

If you haven't jumped on the networking bandwagon, you should. And even if you already incorporate networking efforts into your job search, you may want to consider increasing those efforts.

OneWire can help. In addition to helping job seekers search for and communicate with students and alumni from their school, OneWire helps them keep track of their contacts. Staying organized and keeping your network contacts at your fingertips are key to maintaining strong connections - connections that may help you land your next job.

As you build your network, you may come across an individual that you know would be a great fit for an open position you recently learned of on OneWire. Given the proven success rate of referrals, OneWire lets you refer that person for the opportunity. And if anyone you refer is hired, you may win a referral fee from the hiring company.