| orld of job recruiting has changed drastically in recent | | | | to interact with and often times recruit new job |
| years. Whereas in the past, the route to securing | | | | candidates. So to make themselves findable for |
| employment was simply getting your resume | | | | recruitment, they congregate in those places. |
| together and responding to help-wanted ads – | | | | If you are serious about finding employment, it is in |
| or even getting approached by a headhunter | | | | your best interest to join one or more of these |
| – now much of the recruitment process is | | | | online social networking sites. There you can post |
| taken care of on the Internet. | | | | your resume and give other useful information about |
| Both recruiters and job seekers are finding that by | | | | yourself that will offer insight into your qualifications. |
| mingling with one another through mediums like online | | | | Once you’ve posted your resume, you can |
| social networks, they can accomplish their combined | | | | visit field-specific blogs on these sites or in other |
| goal of getting a person employed. It is for this | | | | places. Just like with social networking sites, recruiters |
| reason that taking the time to understand social | | | | often choose this avenue to seek out candidates and |
| networks is beneficial, especially if you’re | | | | make employment invitations. |
| actively seeking employment. So let’s take a | | | | Carefully Monitor Your Social Networking Behavior |
| closer look at this new and exciting aspect of job | | | | While online social networks are great places to find |
| recruiting. | | | | career opportunities, you should definitely be aware |
| What are Online Social Networks? | | | | of your actions while there. Fun-filled sites like |
| Very similar to the idea of the traditional social | | | | Myspace and Facebook can easily lure you into their |
| network, an online social network offers a space on | | | | excitement; however, if your purpose is to be seen |
| the Internet where individuals with similar interests or | | | | by recruiters, you might find yourself projecting a |
| agendas can congregate to share ideas, insights, and | | | | non-professional image. To avoid this from happening, |
| help one another achieve goals. Before, you may | | | | remember not to post unflattering pictures of |
| have found yourself joining a national collegiate | | | | activities you partake in with your buddies on your |
| fraternity or sorority, or even a club or organization in | | | | profile. And ask your friends to refrain from leaving |
| your community, to achieve this type of networking | | | | risqué comments on your page. Since your |
| experience. But now, organizations and groups with a | | | | main goal is to make your profile as professional as |
| similar purpose have moved onto the Internet, | | | | possible, you don’t want to give recruiters |
| affording more people from around the country the | | | | any reason to second-guess your qualifications. |
| opportunity to network. | | | | The opportunities to secure employment with the |
| Utilizing Online Social Networks to Your Benefit | | | | click of a mouse are better than ever. So before you |
| So what can an online social network do for you? | | | | print off you next resume or think about going to a |
| Along with fraternizing with your peers, they are | | | | job fair, consider joining a professional online social |
| great for helping you find employment. Job seekers | | | | network. You may just find that your next |
| are becoming increasingly aware that many recruiters | | | | employment connection will be right on the other side |
| spend time searching popular social networking | | | | of your computer screen. |
| websites like LinkedIn, Myspace, Plaxo and Facebook | | | | |