To Blog, or Not to Blog, That is the Question!

Ok, so you’ve heard about all of the so-called ‘social networking’ sites and you may be wondering whether it’s worth joining them.  First of all, the answer to that question is going to depend upon how much time you are willing to devote to it. 

If you are a ‘casual’ blogger, meaning that you drop into and out of groups erratically, then social networking probably isn’t for you.  Why, you ask?  Well, mainly because social networking is NOT an immediate fix for the ‘I-need-a-job-QUICK-are-you-going-to-hire-me problem.

Like anything else involving the ‘R’ word (Relationships) it DOES take a while to develop contacts and engage in a regular schedule of blogging. It is discipline just like anything else in your job search.  Assuming that you’re willing to put the time in and develop on-line friendships, then which site should you join? The list is a long—and growing one these days--ranging from My Space and Facebook to Plaxo and Twitter and numerous other less well known sites.

 
One good site for jobseekers called Linked In, as it  reportedly focuses on helping its members maintain (and expand) their list of connections to other professionals. It also provides comprehensive information on companies that are hiring, and allows you to create an in-depth profile that can be accessed by your friends, co-workers and hiring managers alike.

Think of it as walking into a gi-normous stadium, packed with people—none of whom you know. If you are the consummate entrepreneur, this represents a phenomenal opportunity.  If not, it means unprecedented pain.  But, take heart, at least you don’t have to be physically present, and when you’re typing an e mail you CAN  hit the delete key before something unintended comes out of your mouth!

Take some time to check out what others are posting. Read their comments and digest what they have to say.  Start small, and respond to a couple of people about their posts.  Likely as not, they will then respond to YOUR response, and you’ll eventually have a network of your own!  If you make a concerted effort to visit the site each day, chances are that you will pick up new blogger friends fairly quickly.  And, much like a stone rolling down a grassy slope, it will be a slow process at first, but as that stone gets rolling, it rolls faster and faster down that hill.

Linked In offers you an unprecedented opportunity to increase your on-line visibility. Now, instead of corresponding one-on-one with your friends and co-workers by e mail, you are opening up the thread of conversation to some 20 million other people world wide for them to see and comment on. (When was the last time you had that kind of a reach?)