Online Networking and Job Searching

I've mentioned before how social and business networking sites, like LinkedIn, can help with your job search. They are an excellent way to connect with people who can help boost your career, provide you with unadvertised job listings, and help you get in touch with contacts who can give you inside information at companies where you might want to work.

Recruiters are also using these sites to find candidates for employment. A segment on NPR's Morning Edition discusses how a recruiter used LinkedIn (searching by keyword) to find candidates for a Product Manager position. The LinkedIn member was impressed that the company reached out to him. He applied for the job and ended up getting hired.

I know someone else who used LinkedIn to connect with the person who previously had the job she was applying for. She got good insight into both the position and the company and she also ended up getting hired.

Success stories like these are a good example of why it's important to stay connected with your career network, even when you're not looking for a job. You never know when an opportunity that's too good to pass up might come along.

Networking Sites and Job Searching

• Using LinkedIn to Job Search
• What To Do On LinkedIn
• Facebook and Professional Networking