Online Social Networking

Making the Most of Your Online Social Networking

One of the best starting points for a job search is your personal network. While many employees may have gotten their job from answering a completely unknown classified ad, many get their positions through friends, past employers or other connections. However, just knowing these people isn’t necessarily enough.

You need to be able to use your social network to the best possible end — a good job. It can be difficult to know who might have just the right connection for you. In most cases, the best you can do is to pass the word around that you’re looking for a new job.

With the development of social networking web sites, though, you have new tools to mobilize your social network. You might consider taking some time and checking through which companies and employers your friends connect you to, and building on those links. You might also spend time trying to establish new connections. Many social networking sites allow users to search for specific companies, and if you have a place in mind that you would like to work, you may be able to find its employees online. Contact these employees and see if they can help you build a connection that will develop into a position.

Try working backwards if you have an ideal position at a specific company. If you can find a copy of the company’s hierarchy, you can make a connection with the right person to get you that job. Such hierarchies are often available through company web sites, with a little looking around. You might also consider joining professional associations covering your expertise, even if you don’t have a job in the field. Membership rosters can be very valuable in a job hunt, because you can simply look up the relevant individual in companies that interest you.

There are many ways to network your way into a new job. You cannot rely on your friends and family to just be aware of your needs and to send you the ideal job, though. Using your social network to find employment is just as much work as submitting resumes to classified ads.