Networking your way into your next career has always been a hot technique, but today, it’s more stressed more than ever when it comes to job searching.

In my opinion, networking is positioning yourself for your next move, whether that’s now or 6 years from now.  It’s more important and more effective when you build a long term business relationship than it is to pass out business cards to hundreds of people at networking events in hopes that someone will call.

The article highlights some great techniques to use when building relationships and following up:  Read the article

Recommended Links: Informing Job Seekers, Job Searching Strategies, See Who’s Hiring, 1 on 1 career help, Indeed, SimplyHired, Free Online Job Search Workshop

How can social media and social networking help in job search? It is a valid question. Those days are gone when you uploaded a resume on job portals and recruiters contacted you. These days, there is stiff competition. Virtually, every recruiting firm or recruitment team has access to the job portals. Hence, everyone comes across the same resumes. Hence, recruiters and companies are looking for talent and creative employees on social media and social networking websites.

Social Networking and Job Search tips

You can communicate with friends on twitter or Facebook. Likewise, you can also mention your professional details in your profiles. Recruiters looking for suitable candidates can easily contact you if your professional and contact details are available in your social networking profile.

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The keynote speaker for this event is Julie Bauke, a Nationally known career consultant and author.  Julie will hold two sessions, the first session will include common mistakes job seekers make and how to correct them.  The second session will focus on career strategies for those who are already employed and how to stay in the front and center of your professional life.

Sponsors of this event include:

• PAPEN (Pennsylvania Professional Employment Network)
• The Pittsburgh Business Times
• Lee Hecht Harrison
• Pittsburgh Technical Staffing Association
• WorkQuest

The cost for this event is $30.00 and includes food and beverages.  R.S.V.P by the end of Tuesday, April 27th and pay only $25.00 (go to the PAPEN website to register early)

The even will be held from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  For more information or questions contact:
Art Probola – 412 965-9963 or ajprobolajr@aol.com 
Dick Dupree – 412 327-6991 or rrd@dupreesolutions.com

Links for Job Seekers: JobSearchingStrategies.com, Pittsburgh’s Ultimate Career Connection, Job Search in the US, Job Search in Pittsburgh, Free Tips Newsletter, Need Job Search Help?

So what’s the jackpot for job seekers?   Holiday parties.  Think about all of the people you will be or can be meeting when you attend holiday parties.  It’s a relaxed and cheerful environment and a fantastic way to make connections.

This holiday season, try out some of these networking strategies when attending a holiday party or event.

1. Show up early and get a jump start on mingling with others.  Starting a friendly conversation before everyone else arrives can lead to additional conversations later on at the party.
2. Don’t push yourself onto someone and try to sell yourself.  Try to find a common interest and have a casual conversation.  Who wants to go to a party and feel like someone is selling them something?
3. If you have business cards, it’s a good idea to bring some along.  I wouldn’t suggest handing out business cards as soon as you meet someone.  Either wait until someone asks you if you have a business card, or if you connected with that person, offer your card towards the end of the party.
4. Prepare an elevator speech for when you are asked “what do you do?” or “what is your line of business?”  Start off with some highlights of your background and experience and then mention you are in the job market.
5. If some of your friends and family are not aware of your employment situation, a holiday party is an opportunity for you to let them know.

Take advantage of holiday parties this year and remember Tis the season to be networking!

For more info: JobSearchingStrategies.com, Pittsburgh’s Ultimate Career Connection, Who’s Hiring in Pittsburgh, Free Tips Newsletter

LinkedIn, the professional networking website has over 47 million members.  During some of my coaching sessions, job seekers ask me the question "is LinkedIn for everyone?"  My answer to them is "yes" LinkedIn can be a networking tool for anyone and everyone.

Even though LinkedIn has grown rapidly and is one of the most popular networking/recruiting tools being used today, there are still a few people out there that are not familiar with the website or how to use LinkedIn. 

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LinkedIn groups are an excellent way to find and join communities of professionals based on common interest, experience, and goals. Within LinkedIn groups you are able to view and participate in discussions, view jobs being posted within the group, and to communicate with members of the group by sending them direct messages.

LinkedIn groups are broken into categories such as Networking, Professional, Alumni, and Corporate.  You must be a member of LinkedIn in order to join any of the LinkedIn Groups.  You can search groups by going to the LinkedIn Groups Directory

Three benefits of joining LinkedIn Groups

• Engage in Professional Discussions: A great way to get your name out there and to get noticed is to get involved or even start your own discussions within the group. Share your experiences and knowledge, ask questions and respond to other discussions. Sharing your knowledge can help you get noticed by recruiters and hiring managers and can lead to an unexpected opportunity.
• Contacting Group Members: Group members are able to send messages directly to other group members. This is a great benefit because members you normally wouldn’t be able to connect with because of member profile settings or member packages, are now available to receive messages.
• Job Postings: LinkedIn groups offer a section for jobs, which is separate from the jobs listed on the LinkedIn job board. Recruiters and hiring managers can post jobs for free in groups and it’s a great way for them to target job seekers in specific industries and locations. You may find job postings in LinkedIn groups that are not posted on the major job boards.

LinkedIn groups are a way to expand your network, find hidden job opportunities, and engage in discussions with other local professionals. Start expanding your Network today by joining LinkedIn groups.

Authors Bio

Cori Swidorsky has 11 years of experience in the Recruiting Industry and coaching job seekers through a successful job search.  Cori is the owner of Pittsburgh’s Ultimate Career Connection, A Recruiters Tips on Job Searching, and Pittsburgh’s Job Search Buzz.

I came across Inside Job on Facebook while reading an article on recruiting.  The Inside Job is currently in beta version and can be a great tool for job seekers, recruiters, and employers.

The Inside Job application is similar to LinkedIn; you are able to search for people in specific companies and search for people with similar skills and work experience to network with.  There’s even a place to list where you have interviewed, allowing you to share your interviewing experiences and see where others have interviewed and their experiences.

Networking is the trend for job searching and hiring, so check out the Inside Job application on Facebook and make yourself searchable to employers and recruiters.

Visit Inside Job on Facebook

Authors Bio

Cori Swidorsky has 11 years of experience in the Recruiting Industry and coaching job seekers through a successful job search.  Cori is the owner of Pittsburgh’s Ultimate Career Connection, A Recruiters Tips on Job Searching, and Pittsburgh’s Job Search Buzz.

In November 2008, we launched LinkedIn Events – a product that enabled users to add an event and/or RSVP to an existing event. LinkedIn would let their network know they were attending by sending out a network update and displaying the event as a badge on their profile. Moving forward, we have made it even easier to find what events your professional contacts are attending or speaking at.

We have put together an experience that many users have been asking for: a way to see what events your connections are attending. Also on the new LinkedIn Events home page is a list of the most popular events in your industry, the events that you have RSVP’d to, all event related network updates, and the ability to search all of our events, add an event, or express interest in enhanced event listings.

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Source

Informal networking is one of the best sources of job leads and opportunities. It gives you a way to investigate a specific career field and help you narrow your target job choices. And while you get advice on where you might find the best fit, you are broadening your network of contacts for future reference.

• You can easily develop an impressive network. Look to this list for ideas of potential sources for contacts:

• Professors, friends, relatives, and former employers – or any professionals these people recommend.

• Local Employment Service office.

• Members of professional associations.

• People in the information business-resource center directors or librarians.

• Human Resource directors, public relations officials, or public information specialists.

• Community service agencies or area Chambers of Commerce.