|
In case
you
missed
it, the
rules
have
changed
over the
past ten
years
and what
used to
work in
the 20th
century
doesn't
always
produce
the best
results
in the
21st.
Your
online
networking
profile
will be
the
single
most
important
tool in
your job
search.
Interviews
with a
number
of HR
directors
and
recruiters
show
that
online
social
networking
is
quickly
becoming
the
primary
means
for
pre-qualifying
candidates.
If
you're
not
utilizing
this
tool,
you're
missing
out on a
large
number
of
opportunities.
Below
you'll
find a
summary
of the
largest
as well
as the
most
promising.
Choose
two-to-three
that
match
your
objectives
and
start
networking!
If you
are in
the
United
States
or
Canada
and want
any
position
above a
burger
flipper
or file
clerk,
you’ll
need a
LinkedIn
or Plaxo
profile
at the
absolute
minimum.
If
you’re
seeking
work
internationally,
you may
also
want to
create a
Xing
profile.
Plaxo,
Xing and
LinkedIn
all have
job
postings,
many of
which
are
exclusive
to their
sites.
The
majority
of your
content
will be
culled
from
your
resume
and
cover
letter.
This is
why you
need to
update
your
resume
first.
Twitter
is not
included
here,
although
some do
use it
to find
positions.
Because
Twitter
has a
160-character
limit,
it’s not
exactly
a
profile
site.
What
Twitter
does do
well is
keep you
informed
on new
job
postings
and
changes
in
various
industries,
specifically
if you
choose
to
follow a
recruiter
or
industry
expert.
The
following
summaries
will
give you
a
general
idea of
which
online
social
networks
we've
found to
be best
for
seeking
work,
professional
opportunities
or to
collaborate
with
others
in your
industry.
|
Network |
Description |
Who Uses This? |
|
Venture Loop
|
What They Are:
Venture Loop is the worldwide leader in job postings focused on venture-backed companies. Many of the job postings found on Venture Loop cannot be found on any other job board.
Venture Loop connects growth companies, talent, entrepreneurs, and resources with venture capital firms, entrepreneurial individuals, and service providers.
Learn More |
Who Uses This?
Newly funded startups, those in mezzanine financing, companies preparing for sale, mergers, or acquisitions and other entrepreneurial projects seeking top talent. Professionals and special skilled freelancers and job-seekers looking for employment in high-growth, cutting- edge companies.
Companies cover all industries and disciplines.
Also a source for entrepreneurs and their agents (lawyers, accountants etc) seeking strategic alliances. |
|
Partner Up
|
What They Are:
Professional matchmakers for entrepreneurs and businesses. These guys are the Match.com of business relationships.
They help professionals (accountants, lawyers, and marketing people, to name a few) find opportunities to become involved in helping to grow businesses by using their skills and experience. Concurrently, they help entrepreneurs and businesses find the potential business partners, executives, board members, and skilled professionals that they need to make their venture a success.
Learn More |
Who Uses This?
People who are interested in being a partner in their business and vice versa. Most of the opportunities advertised on PartnerUp are looking for a co-founder, executive, board member, or positions where people will get involved in the company as more than just an employee. People looking for opportunities to become a key player in building a company
Also a source for entrepreneurs and their agents (lawyers, accountants, etc.) seeking strategic alliances.
|
|
Linked In
Additional peer-to-peer networking sites that aren't business specific: Friendster, Second Life
|
What It Is:
This is an online networking community largely used by professionals and skilled persons whose business or career requires interaction with others in their field and complementing industries.
Learn More |
Who Uses This?
This is more for management level and above or white-collar jobs. Basically they've taken the concept of working the room, an essential element for any successful person in creating a network, and digitized it into an online peer-to-peer network. A lot of great high-end jobs posted here as well. A great place to let people know you're looking for a gig.
See the book Linked Working by Frank Agin and Lewis Howes for tips on maximizing this tool.
Personal Note: I've received several job offers and project assignments through my Linked in Profile. You can view that here: .linkedin.com/in/lauradawnlewis Mine is set up currently for project work, advocacy and strict networking rather than to get a position.
|
|
Xing
|
What It Is:
Around the world every day, over six million business professionals use XING – the global business network in 16 languages -- to do business and promote their career. XING makes networking and professional-contact management simple, with made-to-measure networking functions and services. With features such as XING Marketplace, over 17,000 groups and networking events from London to Beijing, XING has developed from a contact platform to a web interface for business professionals around the world.
Learn More
|
Who Uses This?
Businesses and individuals who are in business, do business, or seek to do business in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
I use this service to expand my international network, and I've found it an excellent source for jobs in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
|
|
PLAXO
|
What It Is:
This is a combination Facebook and Linked In social networking site that taps into Flickr and other web apps. Connect to your family, friends, and business network.
It's your address book. Pulse, one of its services enables you see what people in your network are creating and sharing online — their blogs, the photos they’re uploading, their restaurant reviews, and more. Facebook uses a wall for updates. Plaxo uses a dashboard which updates anything they've added all over the web and integrates into Flickr, Twitter, Yelp, and more than 30 other sites. Learn More
|
Who Uses This?
Over 40 million people worldwide. This is a great service for people who create things, whether they’re writers, filmmakers, musicians, developers, or journalists. If you do regular updates to your work and need an efficient way to connect with subscribers or a fan base, Plaxo provides the means. |
|
FACEBOOK
|
What It Is:
It's kind of a combination of a blog, photo sharing, and instant messaging website. This is a secret weapon if you're in the job market because you will find people you haven't spoken to in 25 years (my case), and it can really reinvigorate your social life.
And surprise, surprise, many will know of opportunities and often provide that essential intro.
Also, since looking for a job tends to be depressing, frustrating, and a burden on your self-esteem, reconnecting with people from your past provides an ego boost and positive outlet. It gives you something to look forward to. Facebook is an elixir in tough times.
Learn More
|
Who Uses This?
Me for one. I kicked and screamed about getting on Facebook. I didn't see the point and really, really resisted. I figured, I have a SU blog for my political activism, four websites, accounts on Plaxo, Xing, and LinkedIn. What do I need Facebook for?
Now I get it.
After being out of Los Angeles for eight years, my network had scattered. Facebook enabled me to connect with multiple people I'd been looking for through other means, instantly, super-charging my ability to connect with the right people.
There is no job board here. Rather, this is the same as sitting around with friends and saying, “I'm looking for X, do you know anyone who is hiring?”
You'll get out of it what you put into it. Have fun...but use discretion and keep your profile private! |
|
Stumble Upon
|
What it Is
This is a social networking site that allows you to make comments on content and interact with others who have similar interests.
This site takes advantage of the surfing nature of the web, thus enabling people to share the sites and articles they find. Unlike Digg and some of the rating sites, SU allows in-depth analysis and comments, giving it a richer meaning, especially for people involved in research, journalism, foreign affairs, or business.
Learn More
|
Who Uses This?
Some use it for social sharing and others like me use it to enhance their work. How does that work?
I've been part of the SU community since 2004 and have had several conversations with its founder. One of my “jobs” is journalism, so I maintain a blog under a pseudonym on SU that allows me to test out different theories.
I cover the Middle East, politics, and religion, so I often want to feel out a story or subject prior to submitting it to various editors. Needless to say, it's an outlet that lets me write provocatively and gather feedback. It is this feedback that allowed me and my writing partner to receive a number of international and high-profile journalism awards these past two years.
|
|
MYSPACE
|
What It Is:
This is a social networking site with blogs, pictures, and all the teen angst you stand.
The core market for MySpace is people between 12-24 years of age, though they are increasing their membership with the over 35 crowd. MySpace caters to the junior high, high school, and college crowds.
Many use it to hook up and date; it's appealing to that demographic but a bit juvenile and loud for adults. This is a good place to network for entry level jobs in business or your standard commodity jobs in retail, food service, hospitality, and such.
As this demographic ages, the site may become more sophisticated. Or they may migrate to more mature sites like Facebook and LinkedIn.
Learn More |
Who Uses This:
Mostly Generation Y and those under the age of 30 seeking
· Friends who want to talk online
· Single people who want to meet other singles
· Families who want to keep in touch -- map your family tree
· Business people and co-workers interested in networking
· Classmates and study partners
MySpace is the holy grail of teen marketing, so if you have products or services this age group buys, you need to be here.
|
|
Friendster
|
What It Is
With more than 95 million members worldwide, Friendster is a leading global online social network. Friendster is focused on helping people stay in touch with friends and discover new people and things that are important to them
Learn More |
Who Uses This?
Like MySpace, Friendster is social networking for the under-30 crowd, predominantly junior high, high school and college. |
| Affluence.org 
|
What it is:
Affluence.org is an exclusive online social network for the affluent and influential aimed at forming a socially conscious, elite, and exclusive community that helps wealthy, influential, and affluent people make life better for both themselves and others.
Affluence.org has established a minimum criteria for members to have a net worth of $3MM+ or have an income of $300K a year.
Members are validated through a proprietary algorithm that relies on both user reported data and publicly available records. Members are also granted access by proving that they are influential through the successful invitation of at least five other people that qualify on their own financial merits.
Learn More |
Who Uses This?
You must be of a specific income bracket or well-known mover and shaker to become a member (which you will have to prove). Members socialize for personal and business. They also include an entire area devoted to Investments with opportunities in the following areas:
Personal note: As a member of Affluence.org, if you meet the criteria specified to the left and would like an invitation, please contact me through my LinkedIn Profile: .linkedin.com/in/lauradawnlewis and I will endeavor to assist you.
|
| shtyle.fm
|
What it is:
This is included because it's a good site for people in the entertainment industry. Shtyle is a place for you to have fun with your friends, family and community at large.It's about sharing your artistic endeavors, making new friends from across the world, video chat with them and stay up-to-date with events in their lives.
You can use Shtyle to share your photos and files with your friends.Express yourself by recordings songs, decorating your room and profile, submitting writings, creating quizzes and more.
|
Who Uses this?
This is like a combination of MySpace, Facebook and Flickr with Skype added in and is more for socializing than business networking. In addition to causes and general interest groups, it also has sex groups. Parents will want to monitor or block access. Some groups should carry an X rating. |
|
What it is:
Biznik is for people who are building real businesses, not looking for their next job. It’s for sharing your ideas, not posting your resume. It’s the place where real conversations about small business and entrepreneurship are taking place.
Learn More
|
Who Uses This?
Entrepreneurs and small businesses interested in helping each other succeed. Great place for independent freelancers to connect with companies in need of services. |
There are some social networks that are specific to industries.
These are the most popular we found:
|
|
Real Estate Industry: biggerpockets.com: BiggerPockets is the premier social network for real estate professionals, investors, and consumers, with a focus on shared knowledge, networking, deal-making and marketing.
Also see CaliforniaHomeTrading.com
|
|
Restaurant Industry: fohboh.com: leading social-business network for the global restaurant industry.
|
|
Start-ups: younoodle.com: new companies and ventures
|
|
Legal Industry: http://www.lawlink.com : Social network for lawyers
|
|
Bio-Sciences: biospace.com: online community for industry news and careers for life science professionals
|
|
Credit Union Professionals: http://everythingcu.com online resource for credit union marketing professionals; from marketing to branding.
|
|
College Grads: http://kickstart.yahoo.com: professional network with a distinct purpose: to connect college students, recent grads, professionals and alumni to discover internships and jobs, or get career advice and mentorship.
|
|
Faith Based Media Professionals: churchmedia.net Professional network of Christians involved in media ministry as artists, producers, writers, filmmakers, radio personalities and techies.
|
|
naymz.com
 |
What it is
Naymz is a powerful tool for any professional looking to advance their career to the next level. This professional networking platform allows people to find and discover new connections, opportunities, ideas, and information based on their backgrounds and reputations.
Learn More
|
Who Uses This:
Anyone who's business or job depends upon maintaining their reputation in the marketplace and building relationships. Predominantly people with at least 10 years or more of professional experience in white collar, gold collar or green collar professions. |
sphinn.com
 |
What it is :
Sphinn is a social site for search and interactive marketers. It's designed to allow you to share and discover news stories, read and take part in discussions, discover events of interest and network with others.
Learn More
|
Who Uses This?
People involved in marketing whether business owners, executives or professionals in the industry who need to keep up to date and meet others to stay abreast of what works and doesn't. A lot of information sharing and reputation building through this site. |
|
