Networking - moving from one person to another and another in search of employment can be done economically at professional meetings, conferences and trade shows, says Mel Schnapper, president Of Successful Job Hunting Inc., a Chicago career consulting firm.

Aggressive networking results in a terrific payoff in job leads, Schnapper says. In a new video, "Winning at job Hunting in the *90s," he illustrates the process in a group setting.

If you don't know which local meetings to attend, read meeting calendars in newspaper business sections and locate organizations in the Encyclopedia of Associations (Gale Research Inc.). Here are some of Schnapper's tips.

*Local meetings. Come 15 minutes early. Look over the badges or list of pre-paid participants to figure out which people you want to meet. Ask organization officers, who show up early, if you can join a committee. Get the business card of every officer you talk to so you can follow up.

Work the cash bar and the table where you sit down, looking for older people, who are most likely to be potential bridges to people with hiring authority. Talk about anything but do bring up the fact you are job hunting. At the table, try to involve everyone in conversation, instead of settling for typical sub-`groupings. Ask each person for a business card, saying you'd like to send your resume for feedback and referrals.

If unemployed, your business card should have name and contact information.

*National meetings. Promoting yourself at regional and national trade shows and conventions can be well worth the time and financial investment. You can meet 40 to 50 people in one day who can help you find a good job. You'd be lucky to accomplish the same feat in a month of local meetings, explains Schnapper.

It can even be cost effective for an unemployed executive who does not want to relocate to attend a big meeting in another state because many corporate decision-makers will skip local meetings but make the trip to Hawaii or another glamour spot.

Ideally you should prepare your strategy for a big meeting at least three months before the event, allowing time to become involved with the sponsoring organization. You might, for example, volunteer to be a host at one of the organization’s hospitality suites to meet people you might otherwise miss.

Attend the seminars related to topics you know most about so your questions and comments will be impressive. Stand at the back of the seminar rooms to shake hands with potential contacts before and after the speech.

During slow periods, work the exhibits floor. Hold back on the "can you help me get a job" question until you interested the booth personnel. The booth representative will ask whom you represent. Then you can say you're looking for a job. Exchange busi-ness cards.

Job hunting at a conference is a 6:30 a.m. to midnight job, Schnap-per says. You are gathering referrals that can lead to future inter-views. Back home, immediately write letters, then "bullet" your accomplishments relevant to the company you're targeting. Call the people later and ask if they've read your resume. Repeat your strengths and ask if they know anyone who would hire people like you, Schnapper advises.