Via Fast Company's blog, read Practical Networking: Make Your Own Luck.
As Kevin Laws says, “networking is about serendipity not persistence.” You meet someone who knows someone who's looking for someone and bang – you've got a new job. Read his six suggestions and then act on them.
For you hiring managers, remember that every person you meet is a potential employee or knows a potential employee. If you're money-constrained in your candidate sourcing, read these tips and use them too!