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One thing the Internet has taught us is that networking is incredibly useful. In the job hunt, creating a network of friends, colleagues, past and current co-workers, and potential employers – both online and in the real world – is the best way to find a job because most jobs are not advertised.

Online networking is very easy. Social networking websites have become increasingly popular and give you the chance to create a public profile that describes your experience and skills. They let you reach out to large numbers of people who may be able to provide you with job leads. Job recruiters use social networking sites to find qualified candidates as well. There many online support groups for job seekers too. These groups offer moral support and the potential for expanding your network, as well as a place to discuss job-hunting methods with people in circumstances similar to your own. Online discussion forums devoted to specific topics are also a good place to meet new people and expand your network of contacts online.

Professional associations have both online and offline presences, which can be very helpful in providing contacts in specific industries. Do a Google search, and you can find the websites of hundreds of professional organizations. These sites will give you ways to contact members in your local area so you can meet face-to-face. The same thing is true for college and employer alumni associations. One caution: when meeting new contacts for the first time – in either the virtual or real worlds – be careful not to over-sell yourself. You might be viewed as desperate. And always be polite and respectful.

A very effective “real world” way to make connections is by volunteering to help a cause. This is especially true if you are currently unemployed, since volunteering will keep you active, raise your spirits, allow you to gain new skills and experience, and provide the chance to meet new people. The more people you have in your network, the better it is for your job hunt. Other places for networking include business trade shows and seminars, chambers of commerce, and social events that involve receptions and other opportunities to mingle.

LinkedIn is an online network comprising over 20 million professionals and 150 industries. To access the network, you must register and create a profile that describes your skills and accomplishments. This profile can then be found by former co-workers, clients, and potential new employers. Through LinkedIn, your connections are “linked” to the connections of everyone on your network, the people they know, and so on. You can see how this network ultimately connects you to thousands of other individuals. You can use LinkedIn to find business opportunities, jobs, potential clients, and service providers. The more connections in your network, the greater the chance that recruiters and employees will see your profile when they are looking for candidates. According to LinkedIn’s own statistics, individuals with more than 20 connections are 34 times more likely to be contacted about a job opening than those with fewer than five connections.

The single most important thing to do when registering with LinkedIn is to spend time creating the best possible profile. Your profile is the first thing people will see, and it is the element that makes you “findable” by potential employers. Posting a profile at LinkedIn increases your visibility in the job market.

A good profile covers your current and past employment, education, industry of interest, and any websites you are associated with. You should also consider adding a photo; a headshot is recommended. Then include all the keywords and skills you’re using in your resume to make it easy for people to find you. Adding recommendations from previous employers is highly advisable, since these tend to have considerable weight with potential employers.

You can improve your “connectability” at LinkedIn by writing your profile as if it were an executive biography, including details about your work experiences, names of companies you’ve worked for, information about your education and professional affiliations, and relevant activities. You should also place a link to your profile in your e-mail signature.

It’s also possible to use LinkedIn to do research about a potential employer or company and discover the names of the specific individuals you should contact about job positions at a chosen company. The Advanced Search feature of LinkedIn allows you to improve the relevancy of a job search by finding people with similar educational and work profiles and learning where they work. Use the job search feature to find job listings.

LinkedIn can be used to contact former bosses and employees, to request endorsements from past employers and clients, and to find people in your local area that work in the industry you’ve targeted for your job search.

LinkedIn

http://www.linkedin.com/home?trk=hb_logo

100 Smart Ways to Use LinkedIn

http://www.linkedintelligence.com/smart-ways-to-use-linkedin/

Use Your LinkedIn Profile as a Resume

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/networking/a/linkedinprofile.htm