Not networking online yet?
Millions of potential contacts are only a couple of clicks away – and you can even network from the comfort of your own home.
Make Your Profile Perfect
The first step in most online networking is creating a profile on the site of your choosing. Take care and time when you do it. You should highlight your professional skills as opposed to your personal interests. Be sure, also, that your profile is well-written and doesn’t include typos or careless errors.
Ask for an Endorsement
Some online networking sites allow users to recommend one another, so don’t hesitate to ask folks to praise you professionally online.
Collect Contacts
Your network is only as good as the people in it, so make sure yours is chock-full of helpful professionals. If you’re starting from scratch, start by inviting your close friends and coworkers to join your network. Then look over their networks to see if you might benefit from knowing the people they know.
Mind Your Manners
Because recruiters visit professional – and sometimes personal – networking sites to seek out fresh talent, ensure your profiles don’t contain anything that could be embarrassing. Privacy settings can help protect your profile, but it’s best to eliminate anything questionable altogether.
Keep Up the Good Work
It may be tempting to neglect your online network once you find a job, but it’s best to nurture it. In trying economic times, one can never be sure when a layoff may be looming. Online networks aren’t just job search tools. They help act as an invaluable source of information, indsutry trends and career advice. Not to mention you will be better informed compared to the competition for all up and coming events and opportunities around your chosen industry.
Article courtesy of Monster