Networking is the most common way workers and managers secured their current job, according to a survey by Hudson.

The study found that managers overwhelmingly consider familiar resources, such as employees and personal contacts, to be the optimal source of job candidates.

Specifically, 40% of managers state internal promotions are the best way to fill an opening, followed by employee referrals (24%) and personal recommendations (20%). In fact, three-quarters of managers say their company typically looks at the current employee base first when conducting a job search before considering any other candidates.

Steve Wolfe, senior vice president of Hudson North America, says: "Email and the Internet make replying to an online job posting easier than ever, but in this situation, easy does not necessarily mean effective. Consequently, developing and maintaining a strong network of professional as well as personal contacts can mean the difference between landing an interview and getting lost in the crowd."