Today it is very important to network for both social aspects as well as business. I thought I would give everyone some ideas on how to build a Social Network. This can help many people by simply just trying to make some new relationships; to helping you find your next career opportunity. And to be honest…coming from the Employment Industry – if you are not networking it is going to be difficult and take you much longer to find a new career. There are some many qualified candidates in the market that you really need to be talking with people who can hire you directly.

First it is important to start joining social networks that interest you. There are social networks that exist for every conceivable profession, hobby or interest.  It is very easy finding social networks be going to Find A Social Network.com.  You can find many networks that are populated with the same areas of interest.

You will then need to start blogging to allow people to get to know you. You can also comment on other blogs and ask them to check out your blogs. Eventually you will start having your own network to interact with regularly. I have been blogging for a year and a half about the life of an online student. Trying to get people to interact with your blogs can be challenging, but if you search for other blogs and invite people to check out your blogs it can really help in speeding up the process on building your own social network.  It is very important to create an online portfolio so people can learn more personal information about you, which will make them feel more comfortable.  There are several different social network sites like Myspace, Facebook and LinkedIn. Remember when using sites like Myspace and Facebook; you need to make sure there is nothing offensive or discriminating on your profile page. If you are talking to an Executive and he/she checks out your Myspace to find some risky pictures, I do not think you will get the job.

Then lastly you need to Tweet. I mentioned in an earlier blog that I have recently found the world of Tweeting. I am still learning this area and I am still trying to find Tweet sites to visit. So if any of you know of any, please let me know.  Twitter has become incredibly large and everyone from movie stars, musical artist and many others just like you and me are Tweeting and building relationships. Well I hope this information has helped you getting started in building your own executive or personal network. Let me know how things work out and/or if you find out some new sites to check out. Until next week…  

Day 22 and still unemployed… Wow when I put it in to that perspective it really hits me in the stomach. I am religiously looking for a new job every day. I sit at my home computer desk and actively search many websites and apply any where between 35 to 50 jobs per day. This keeps me busy for 7 to 8 hrs a day between filling out applications, answering personality surveys, weeding through the junk and fraudulent jobs. I have also gone on some interviews; some were good and some were scams; where they wanted money from me to start something. Needless to say searching for a job is a fulltime job…of course with out the pay. There are good and bad things to go with being unemployed now a day’s. The good side of it is the internet. Back in the day before everyone was on the internet you had to go to your local businesses to apply for a job, read the local help wanted ads and fax your resume. I couldn’t imagine my gas bill if I had to do that. I would also not be able to get out there to as many companies and it would lower my chances of finding that perfect fit. Therefore I am very thankful for the internet and the services that are provided to assist people in finding employment!

There are so many services and tools online to help each and every person find a job without ever having to leave their home. The key is to be creative and use your search engines to find all job postings from the big companies and the small companies. It is free to register with CareerBuilder, Monster and OrlandoJobs. So that was a given to register with all three of them. I also search the local news paper online, craigslist and all government websites. I have a friend who has sent out a mass email letting people know I am searching and needing job. I also have Facebook and Myspace where I have posted and emailed people letting them know my situation and would love any information people could pass along.

These service  companies such as CareerBuilder do not only list job posting, but they provide FREE services to help you write a great resume, cover letter and guide you on how to perform a great interview. That was never provided back in the day…And for those that choose to pay there are companies out there such as Allen and Associates who will help guide you in the right direction to get the right job.

Now you think all of this would defiantly guarantee you a job, but unfortunately in today’s market it is not that easy. Every place I have gone for an interview, there have been 10-15 other people there within that hour interviewing for the same position.  That is the scary part for me because I have no idea what I am up against.