Networking is the art of building alliances and not the act of contacting everyone you know asking for a favor. Good networking starts long before you need a job and people who are good at it don't even realize that that's what they're doing. Interestingly, individuals who are searching for a job will often find that friends, friends of friends, a neighbor or a former coworker are some of their best resources.
And today it's time to take that networking to the online world. By using some of the same networking techniques online individuals are able to increase the potential of finding a job opening meant just for them. The question isn't is networking necessary but rather how do I accomplish it appropriately?
Some of the biggest mistake that people make networking online are to hide in a virtual corner or attack as if they were going to war. Here are some tips to help you successfully navigate online networking from the start.
1. There are many different sites that are aimed at professional people or sites which are gradually moving over from strictly social to social and business. The trick is to pick the site with which you are most comfortable and which appears to have the highest number of individuals in your particular field. See below for a list of sites.
2. Once you choose a social networking site your first act should be to fill in your user profile. This is your chance to tell the world about your special skills, experience and interests. Do not make the mistake of posting your entire resume online. Instead, your profile is a virtual signpost or a catch to a community of people with whom you would like to work.
3. Once inside your social networking sites be proactive about learning the options available to you. Most sites are very user friendly, even for those who are not comfortable on the computer. Social sites often have discussion forums, message boards, blogging areas and groups-all of which are designed to help you interact with people. Join and only when you have something pertinent to say and not just to increase the number of posts next to your name. The trick here is to give good content and offer help to others.
4. Social networking sites are designed for people to reach out to each other. However, one of the biggest mistake that people make is to race through the site and indiscriminately ask everyone to be their friend. This is not a numbers game. It is instead about who you know, not how many you know.
5. Before beginning to approach people or post in the forums take the time to read what others have written and the reaction that they receive. In other words, you want to follow the online etiquette that is appropriate to this particular forum. You can burn yourself very quickly by stepping over the line.
6. Networking is about developing relationships with people where you are able to give them something of quality. In return for which most people are willing to reciprocate. It is this reciprocation that makes social networking is so popular. It should be the goal of the individual job seeker to give the best that they can to help others because it is this attitude that comes across well on these sites. It is all about making human connections and not about spilling your problems.
7. Take the time every day to use these sites to their fullest potential. Individuals who use these sites only halfheartedly can send the wrong message to people who recognize the potential behind online networking. Unfortunately, although this message may be incorrect, it may also be sent to the very person who knows the manager of your perfect job.
8. Most employers and business people do their homework and will research a potential employee online. This means that you must communicate professionally with people in your groups. You never know when your future employer is looking over your virtual shoulder and reading your latest post about your girlfriend. Don't let that happen to you.
9. Always remember the biggest rule of thumb is that networking is not about using people or asking people for jobs but rather about developing relationships. By developing a broad list of contacts and making "friends" through appropriate communication you are increasing the number of people who could potentially step up and help you in your job search.
Here is a list of online network sites which you may find helpful. The big three include Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn. These three online sites are considered to be the largest communities for job seekers. However you shouldn't have to stop there. iMantri is an online peer-to-peer community for mentoring and coaching. Company of Friends is a site where more than 10,000 business people have organized local discussion groups, mentoring and networking organizations. Ecademy's goal is to build the world's largest trusted business network by connecting people to each other. Eacademy believes networking is a key to success and with more than 20,000 members from 120 different countries they dared to stand toe to toe with some of the other network sites.
Hi5 is an online network site to help you connect with friends and share ideas. A personal profile is required and there is no cost for those seeking jobs. Jigsaw is a site to make business contacts and where marketers, recruiters and salespeople can find information. MyWorkster.com connects business professionals and college students to build and expand the network of contacts, look for job opportunities and join groups. Networking for Professionals is designed for professionals from different occupations to build business, improve client base or advance their career.
Presented by Trish King
You can also find Trish at http://www.trishking.com/ or http://blog.stayathomebizreview.com/
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