Job Seekers Throng to Social Networks

The popularity of LinkedIn has soared – the year over year growth is 200%, and the economy is the culprit. I’m seeing people on Twitter talking about their education, and looking for work, asking for leads. Facebook has seen growth as well, with people friending others, no matter how remote, in order to cash in on their social capital as a job strategy.

While the popularity of online social networking is transforming the nature of traditional business networking and the way people manage their careers, it also is heralding in change in the way that social networking work as well. It may be that social networking is really coming to mainstream and everyone is jumping on the bandwagon.

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One of the important things to remember however, whether you’re on Linked In, Facebook or Twitter, there’s still a line between social networking and business networking. It’s important to remember that there are values and codes of conduct that are specific to the virtual world that will clash in the real world, and vice versa. There are behaviours and attitudes which translate well in person, when you’re joking or what have you, that simply do not translate in the virtual world.

Common sense is as necessary online as it is in person. You wouldn’t walk up to someone you’ve only just met, or whom you know very loosely, and hit them up for a job, so why would you do that online?

Social networking is no different than networking in person. You still have to put the time in to your relationships in order for them to trust you enough to pass on possible job opportunities.

The “secret” to social networking on Twitter, Facebook or Linked In is that there is no secret. Be normal, be human, be yourself ! Your social capital means nothing if you don’t take the time to build it. Yes, you will be able to gain a competitive advantage in the market when you have built up enough capital that people trust you enough to grant you access to their own resources.

The number one rule of in-person networking still applies:

Approach social networking as a giver, not a taker. What can you do to help others, rather than what they can do for you? Social networks are built on a culture of sharing, support and trust, not hard core sales, shilling or aggressive techniques.

Don’t be the person who puts a strain on your online “friendships”. The age-old question, “what are friends for?” has one key word in it that can’t ever be discounted: friend. Remember that before you rush ahead start hitting everyone you’re connected with for a new gig or yet another favor.