Online Social Networking For Career Development

In my last post (Forbes.com Rules) I talked about my own experience "recession proofing" my career. I am in a panel tonight discussing this same topic so I thought I would share some of the links I found relevant. Online social networking is not only for socializing, but can be used for career building. The career building is enabled by creating an online presence to showcase skills, and extended by creating networks of online (and offline or "live") connections. These connections can be very helpful in finding out about job opportunities or companies that will be hiring. There are also many sites for working moms, which I will share on a different post.

I am currently putting all of my social networking efforts into the blogging community (Silicon Valley Moms Group and BlogHer communities), women & technology groups (like the Anita Borg Institue, Women 2.0, Girl Geek Dinners, Women Who Tech, Ladies Who Launch etc.) and online at Facebook. Many of my live business social networks were initiated online.

General career/social networking related site links:

• Charlene Li: The "open" social graph on the horizon (to get perspective for where your online social profile should live)
• Compete website: Top Social Networks Feb. 2008
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Some use Plaxo and Ning
• Twitter (Web 2.0 conference Twitter example)
• Jewish Vocational Service
• VisualCV (visual resume site)
  
• Typepad (for building blogs)
• Event sites like Upcoming.org and in Facebook the event functionality. Through Facebook I found a group called Lunch 2.0, which is a great local business networking event.

1. The blog Brazen Careerist has these posts:

• Expand you opportunities by finding your niche
• Three common networking missteps

2. General online social Networking for career development info:

• Career/Social Networking and Job Search Networking on About.com
• Second Life and Job Searching (hey - better chance to get a job looking in the first and second lives).
• Can Facebook and LinkedIn help your career?
• Facebook and LinkedIn can be valuable tools for landing your dream job
• Why bother having a resume?
• Social networking can be hazardous to your job search
• Techmama's recommendation is to find your online voice through setting up an online profile, blog or website that reflects your "brand" and "niche". Keep to that niche throughout your online networks. Sites live Visual CV are creative ways to set up your online profile as well as setting up "resume" like profiles on your social network (i.e. Facebook). Through in hobbies similar to what you include in resumes, but keep the real personal information OFF LINE.

3. Facebook for career Networking. With Facebook it is important to create a resume worthy profile, build the right network and join career related Facebook groups (for example, Web 2.0 Entrepreneurs can join the Web 2.0 Facebook group).   

• Companies like Gadball, Careerbuilder.com and Jobster have Facebook applications for job searching
• Best Facebook apps for business and career development
• 12 Ways To Use Facebook Professionally
• Can Facebook improve your job search?
• Facebook and Professional Networking
• Stay professional on Facebook, career coach advises
• Techcrunch post that is a good reminder to social network on your own time (unless it is for company business)
• Inside Facebook - Facebook Marketing Bible -
  The Facebook Marketing Bible: 24 Ways to Market Your Brand, Company, Product, or Service Inside Facebook

  4. LinkedIn for career networking

  • From LinkedIn site: How does LinkedIn help me find and create the right job?
  • Guy Kawaski: Ten Ways To use LinkedIn
  • WSJ: Bill Gates Joins LinkedIn
  • Use Your LinkedIn Profile As a Resume