Job Help at the Library

Networking

What is social networking and how can you it to help with your job search?

The Internet has changed the way that we live our lives. We bank online, shop for Christmas presents and keep ourselves up-to-date on the lives of our friends and family. But did you know that you can also use the internet to find a job? It’s a new trend called social networking and a lot of job seekers today are finding success.

Before you get started with social networking you should determine your intent for using it. If you are changing fields or re-entering the workforce after a short stint of unemployment, social networking may be just what you need to kick start your search. But be forewarned, social networking does not mean that you stop searching for a job in the traditional sense. It only means that you should add social networking to your job search; covering all of your bases.

Some of the social networking tools that are popular today include one of the most frequented daily websites - LinkedIn.com. LinkedIn is built on the premise of six degrees of separation - allowing you to locate professional contacts that you currently have (or had in the past) and connect with them online – networking virtually. LinkedIn allows you to post a resume, obtain recommendations, perform job searches and showcase your talents - all housed in your own professional profile.

Incorporating LinkedIn into your job search is just the beginning. There are a few other sites that you can also use to store your resume. Monster.com and careerbuilder.com offer resume profiles and detailed information about industry news, salary rates, and educational information designed to assist you in your job search. While you cannot virtually network with others on such sites, you can use these sites as a tool to help you define your search.

You can also take advantage of current social media tools that you might use such as Facebook and Twitter. But be forewarned, these websites are extremely public, widely used and highly visible - so things that you say ‘online’ may not be as private as you wish. Employers are now performing their own internet searches to profile candidates and that ‘wild party picture’ or ‘rant’ that you posted from a few years ago may show up in a detailed search.

So we’ve provided you with a basic understanding of social networking and a few sites to get you started. Remember, social networking is not a substitute for traditional networking and job searching but it can be a valuable tool as the world becomes more digitally connected. Now get out there and find that job!