Editor's note: Legal disclaimer--this column written from a man's perspective.

You're out of work; everyone is telling you that the key to success is networking, but you just hate networking. You've read all the books on the subject and you still find it impossible to introduce yourself to people whom you don't know.

Well, I have the answer. You need to think of it like you're at a singles bar trying to meet other singles. They're very similar situations, but you hate that too? Too bad.

Let's start. How do you prepare for that first important meeting? For a networking event, you practice your elevator pitch; and for a singles bar? That's right; you practice your pick-up line.

OK, let's say you've gotten to first base. You've got the target's attention. Your cell phone rings; what do you do? No, don't rush to turn it off. Take the call; it will show how busy you are.

Remember you have only a few seconds to connect, so be prepared to cut your losses and move on. When do you know it's time to move on? At a networking event, you ask for his business card and he refuses. And at the singles bar, you ask for her telephone number and she says "take a hike."

Here are some key points to remember.

Now, to keep yourself focused, always have a visual image of your ultimate objective. At the networking event, your goal is to find that ideal place to go to every morning. And at the singles bar, your goal is to find that perfect woman to remind you to get out of bed every morning and get to work.

One last piece of advice: there is one situation where networking and dating are very different. After you have landed that great job, you need to keep up your skills and keep networking. However, after you've met that perfect mate, she'll tell you: "Hey honey, lose the skill."

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