Networking is a major part of job search success. And with all of the online tools available today, there’s really no excuse for failing to connect with people who could help you.
The real question is what online communities are the most beneficial for job seekers? If you’re hoping to land a new job, you may want to focus your efforts on the following opportunities:
Seek Out Niche Job Communities To Land A New Job
Job seekers should embrace niche job boards to amp up their job search. By seeking out postings on niche job boards specific to an industry, applicants have access to job postings that are more specialized to their field, as well as smaller applicant pools as their competition.
— Amit De, Careerleaf
Turn to Social Media To Land The Perfect Position
Social media is a great tool for connecting with employers and top companies looking to recruit talent. Using social media, you can connect with employers and thought leaders in a way you never could have before. Your social media profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter can also work as an advertisement for your skills and abilities. So you should make sure to link your resume, video resume, and any relevant work samples to these online social profiles.
— Josh Tolan, Spark Hire
Use Glassdoor and Other Relevant Blogs to Think Outside the Box
Glassdoor can help job seekers find major issues in companies and get an inside view in companies you want to work for. Understanding the pain points of the company makes you more valuable to a company, because it allows you to identify a problem and provide an educated solution. Blogging4Jobs by Jessica Merrell, Brazen Careerist, Simply Hired, Come Recommended, Careerbright and The Grindstone are also great online communities that cover very relevant and insightful topics for those looking for new opportunities.
— Joanna Riley Weidenmiller, 1-Page Proposal
Leverage LinkedIn For Networking
I prefer using LinkedIn to network and source jobs. It is a professional network with the expectation that people use it to network (e.g., build relationships, create relationships, and research people and roles).
— Stacey Hawley, Credo
Twitter For Finding Job Postings and Connecting
Employers will post jobs and updates on Twitter, so it’s useful to follow to companies you are interested in joining. You can also follow the HR/hiring managers and engage with their tweets to help you build a relationship. You will generate the right attention if you publish interesting and relevant tweets, and if you re-tweet on a regular basis.
— Stephanie Jones, Cuff Jones
