What Is Social Networking?

Social Networking. . . It's the way the 21st century communicates today.  Want to
know what it really means?

Social networking is the grouping of individuals into specific groups, like small rural
communities or a neighborhood subdivision, if you will. Although social networking is
possible in person, especially in the workplace, universities, and high schools, it is
most popular online. This is because unlike most high schools, colleges, or
workplaces, the internet is filled with millions of individuals who are looking to meet
other people, to gather and share first-hand information and experiences about
golfing, gardening, raising Schnauzers, developing friendships or professional
alliances, finding employment, business-to-business marketing and even groups
sharing information about the end of the Mayan calendar and the Great Shift to arrive
December 21-2012. The topics and interests are as varied and rich as the story of our
world.

When it comes to online social networking, websites are commonly used. These
websites are known as social sites. Social networking websites function like an online
community of internet users. Depending on the website in question, many of these
online community members share common interests in hobbies, religion, or politics.
Once you are granted access to a social networking website you can begin to
socialize. This socialization may include reading the profile pages of other members
and possibly even contacting them. 

The friends that you can make are just one of the many benefits to social networking
online. Another one of those benefits includes diversity because the internet gives
individuals from all around the world access to social networking sites. This means
that although you are in the United States, you could develop an online friendship
with someone in Denmark or India. Not only will you make new friends, but you just
might learn a thing or two about new cultures or new languages and learning is always
a good thing.

As mentioned, social networking often involves grouping specific individuals or

As I'm sure you're aware, there are dangers associated with social networking
including data theft and viruses, which are on the rise. The most prevalent danger
though often involves online predators or individuals who claim to be someone that
 they are not. Although danger does exist with networking online, it also
exists in the real world, too. Just like you're advised when meeting
strangers at clubs and bars, school, or work -- you are also advised to
proceed with caution online. By being aware of your cyber-surroundings and
who you are talking to, you should be able to safely enjoy social networking
online. It will take many phone conversations to get to know someone, but
you really won't be able to make a clear judgement until you can meet each other in
person.  Just use common sense and listen to your inner voice; it will tell you when
something doesn't feel right about the online conversations taking place.

Once you are well informed and comfortable with your findings, you can begin your
search from hundreds of networking communities to join. This can easily be done by
performing a standard internet search. Your search will likely return a number of
results, including MySpace, FriendWise, FriendFinder, Yahoo! 360, Facebook, Orkut,
and Classmates. 

Social Networking for Work

Many people today are on at least one social networking site such as LinkedIn, Facebook,
MySpace, Friendster even Twitter. Most people have joined these sites for one of two reasons: to
get in touch with friends and family, or to network. Many people make the mistake in thinking
that if you are on Facebook or MySpace for social reasons that it won't impact your
professional life. That may have been true before social networking began to flourish as a
component of business internet strategies, but it is not the case now.

Fast forward to 2010 where recruiters consistently turn to social networking technology to find
qualified candidates to fill employment vacancies. Normally, they don't seek out candidates from
social sites like Twitter or MySpace, but instead look at the business networking sites, such as
LinkedIn.

Getting "connected" is a very important aspect of job hunting and equally important is portraying
a positive online persona. The question is then, why have you taken the time to build an online
persona? For most of us the answer is to connect.

Staying in touch with family members, old friends, high school classmates, and college buddies
through social sites (like Facebook) is how many people currently stay connected. For others, it's
to get noticed and seen by those who are more likely to hire them or utilize their education,
experience and services. You want the recruiters and business professionals to seek out more
information, visit your blog or website and contact you. Making sure your online postings are
linked to a website that is non-partial and authoritiave is an excellent way to stand out from the
crowd.

Young adults make the mistake of posting graphic or obscene comments on their profiles not
realizing that when they go out to get a job and their potential employer Google's a search on
them, those sexy or x-rated photos or vulgar comments could prevent them from being
considered for employment.

There is one very important secret to finding the ideal job at the company that you really want to
work for and that is to get on the inside. The best jobs, meaning the better paying jobs and the
more prestigious jobs, are not posted on job boards. They are going to be shared within the
company or posted on a co-worker's Facebook page or Twitter account.

How can you find out the type of online image you have? Start by doing a Google search of your
name to see what comes up. If there aren't any search results the good news is that there isn't
anything negative about you online. That also means that there isn't anything positive either. If
you are not currently on a social networking site it is recommended that you join at least two
such as Facebook and LinkedIn. Facebook is quickly gaining acceptance as a business-related
site. Never underestimate the power of Facebook. It may get you connected to long lost friends,
but it could also get you connected to your next boss or someone that is looking for a partner to
go into business with. One of the pluses of social sites like Facebook is that you can choose who
you connect to and you can look for people, business, charities and other organizations that you
would like to support or be a fan of. So it's very important that you portray a professional image
of yourself online.

You can also use the job boards or online classified ads such as Indeed and Craigslist. Each of
these has their own set of pluses and minuses. On both you will find a large variety of job
postings, this is a plus. However on Indeed you will be redirected to another site (separate from
Indeed) where you will need to upload your resume and fill out their forms, this is a minus. It can
be very time consuming and one can wonder whether or not their resume actually gets in front of
a real person. Craigslists offers numerous ads for jobs. The drawback here is that you don't
always know who you are applying to. Sometimes job ads will give you the company name and
contact information but many times they are anonymous postings requesting your resume if the
job sounds like something you are interested in. Both sites are good places to look for a job, there
are a number of people that have found their ideal job using these services. Golden rule, if it
sounds too good to be true, then it most likely is.

Social Networking Sites Designed to Help You Get a Job

There are social networking sites that are actually designed to help you find a job. One such site
is Plaxo. - http://www.plaxo.com/ "Your Address Book for Life."  Plaxo is very similar to
LinkedIn, you can sign up, create your profile, put in your contact information and list your
social media links (Twitter, Facebook, MySpace). You can even share photos and send e-
cards here. Plaxo helps you find a job because it stores your address book and it keeps track of
all your contact information including a map showing you where those contacts live. Plaxo is
also integrated with Comcast's Simple Hired (http://www.simplyhired.com/) which is a job
aggregator site. That means that this site will search all of the job boards and company career
pages to bring to you a list of possible jobs that meet your skills and location.

Jobster would be another highly useful social networking site that more job seekers should pay
attention to. http://www.jobster.com/  Jobster puts you in contact with the people that are looking
to hire you. You can actually connect with employers, not recruiters or resume pages. Yes, you
can upload your resume; you can showcase links and even upload a video resume if you have
one. Jobster allows you to network with the potential employers.

For those that are in college and looking for a job there is a social networking site designed
exclusively for you. http://www.myworkster.com/ "Please introduce me to some important
people."  MyWorkster is a sister site to Indeed that only allows college students to register and
network with potential employers. If you are not currently attending college you will not be able
to use this service. However, if you are, this is an excellent site that will help you get your foot in
the door with companies that are looking to hire you.

It is nice to have skills that are in high demand. You want to tool your profile to fit with the
industry to which you are applying. If you are a mechanic, you want to stress your mechanical
skills— even if you can type 90 words per minute. People looking to hire you don’t care how
fast you can type.

There is a fine line to walk when it comes to promoting yourself. You want to express your
strong points without sounding too arrogant. This is where a third-party comes in handy--
someone who can give you a reference or recommendation. Having a professional blog or
(impartial) website that a recruiter can visit will help cast you in a positive light and highlight
other positive aspects of your personality. When prospective employers see that you are well
liked, your ratings go up and your chances for getting hired increase tremendously.

If you are serious about having the professional career you have always dreamed of then perhaps
its time you learn the importance of an online presence and the value of social networking sites.
Searching job boards and classified ads in your local paper will only take you so far. Build a
positive image online, network with those that you want to work with... and land your dream job.

This information is not legal advice and is for guidance only.  

Happy Job Hunting Through Social Networking!