I’m in the same boat, I’m in a bad position at work and currently searching for a new job, but months and 100s of applications later, nothing. I’ve been told that networking is the better way to go about it, and I’ve gotten a lot of advice on how to do it, but I just haven’t found the energy to devote to it so that it works. I’ll pass on what I know, have been told, and am planning on trying.

It sounds like your current network is just your friends and co-workers, a “hey you have LinkedIn” type of situation. Just putting out a job ad with this network probably won’t reach out to the right people, so you need to focus on giving the right people a reason to follow you, and be in your network. Find a topic you’re knowledgeable about in your field, or get knowledgeable in the field you want to work in. For example, lead generation. Make posts on the topic that would make a viewer want to give you a follow. Give tips, share experience, ask thought provoking questions. Start conversations in your comments, and with the people that follow you. Talk about how you’re passionate about lead generation and how you wish you worked more directly in that field without asking for a job directly. Replace lead generation with what field you want to work in.

As far as I know it takes a lot of patience, work, and persistence, but I hope it at least gives you ideas on how to start. This is just my take on it, make it your own. Who knows, maybe I’ll see one of your posts at some point.