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Effective Networking for Career Development in the Age of the Internet

Effective networking is central to building and sustaining a top level career in any industry, for in the current business world success consistently coincides with the ability to build good relationships.

"More business decisions occur over lunch and dinner than at any other time" (Peter Drucker)

Today’s world is also heavily influenced by and dependent on the Internet and this trend is growing.  According to Internet World Stats (2007), there has been a 200% increase (to 315m) in Internet users in Europe since 2000.

With the realisation that networking plays a significant role in leveraging careers for future success, combined with the rapid growth of Internet utilisation it is not surprising that social networking is fast becoming a popular component of any effective career management strategy. 

In 2006 alone, social networking traffic increased at a rate ranging between 185% to 528% (ComScore Media Metrix, 2006).   The top players in the world of social networking are sites such as Facebook – where the number of active users doubled in the last year, to hit 30 million in July 2007; and MySpace.com, with more than 78 million members, counting multiple profiles from one source.  LinkedIn, must also be mentioned here as it is the world’s largest professional network, with more than 12 million members.  The common thread of these sites is that they connect people.

“Imagine having a Rolodex with fifty or one hundred contacts.  Now imagine having thousands or even millions of contacts!  That is the exceptional advantage online social networks offer,” (John Challenger, CEO - Challenger Gray & Christmas, 2007)

Employers too are beginning to view the benefits of online networks and are increasingly using these sites as recruiting tools; another means to screen potential candidates.  An online profile usually lists a wide range of talents, interests and hobbies, and can give a recruiter further insight into whether a potential candidate is a good ‘fit’ for their organisation.  Therefore a job seeker needs to create the profile of a competent, reliable candidate who will best serve the employer.  Social networks will fail as a tool for job seekers if they do not recognise the potential pitfalls of displaying certain information on their profile.

As such, HDA in conjunction with Challenger, Gray & Christmas have developed some tips for those looking to take advantage of social networking in their quest for employment.

Challenger Gray & Christmas is the premier outplacement consulting firm in the United States.  Founded in the early 1960s, the firm’s primary goal is to assist displaced workers make the transition to reemployment.  It has a proven record of success, conducting fully individualized programmes and one-on one consulting for each individual who participates in the process. In recent years, Challenger’s mission has grown to include advising organizations and their employees on recognizing, addressing and managing the constant barrage of changes affecting their workplaces today.  The firm has offices in major cities across the U.S. in addition to Canada, Japan and Mexico.

HDA and Challenger Gray & Christmas work closely together as CareerNet International partners on a range ofinternational outplacement and executive coaching assignments.

 

For further information: call 08452 60 95 40 or email info@hda.co.uk

To discuss potential HDA contributions, please contact us at email: info@hda.co.uk