Whether you’re a brand-new college grad or someone who’s been in the working world for a few years, one thing is certain: The way people find jobs in 2010 has fundamentally changed from several years ago.
“Networking has always been critical, but these days, it’s the primary way of finding a job,” advises Trish Shafer, director of career services at Philadelphia University. What’s new is how that networking happens.
“With a profile on LinkedIn, you can connect to hundreds of people in a very short time,” says Shafer. “That … isn’t possible in real life.”
There’s more to it than just posting a profile, though, Shafer says: You need to be active. Identify people already working in the field you want to be in, then contact those people for advice and information. Join professional groups in your intended career field. Participate actively in those groups, posting in discussions and reaching out to members.
