Network your way to a better job
By Fiona Wagner • Bankrate.com

Also, look at how active a network is -- it's only as strong as the number of people using it and its relevance to your career goals.

A good place to start is with LinkedIn, where you can post your resume, make connections with other professionals, research companies and access job postings. Facebook is another place to make connections, but many people use it as a place to socialize rather network professionally. Twitter, home of the 140-character "tweet," is home to an ongoing conversation with folks worldwide on every topic imaginable. Here you can follow trends, share expertise and develop networks. Blogs are a great way to promote yourself and what you know about a topic.

But regardless of what tools you use, you have to manage them effectively. Here are some tips for getting the most from social media.

Don't abandon traditional tools. Keep social media in perspective and use it as one way to advance your job search. Meeting people face-to-face, joining industry associations or your local chamber of commerce and conducting informational interviews with companies that interest you are still valid and important networking tools.

"It's an investment in yourself," says Peterkin. "When you look at financial investments, you always look at diversifying to get the best return. You do the same (when job hunting) to get the best return for yourself by diversifying."

Maintain professionalism. "You have to make sure wherever you have an online presence, professionalism is key," says Wright. "It may not be face-to-face, but it's still networking. Extend the same courtesy online as you would in person."

If you read a blog comment or tweet that you don't agree with, instead of belittling the person, contribute constructively. You can share your opinion without being disrespectful.

"You may be good at what you do and have the skill set, but if people get to know you as obnoxious, you're not going to get very far," says Wright.

Also, keep in the mind that communicating online is very different than in person: When you're face-to-face, people can read your facial expressions or know if you're joking. Those nuances are often lost online. "People are judging you on what they're reading," says Peterkin.

Know yourself, know your brand. "You have to know what differentiates you from everybody else and then focus on that," says Wright. "The tools are there to help you, but when somebody says, 'Tell me about yourself,' you have to be able to tell them who you are and what you're good at."

Be disciplined. Let's face it: Social media can be a huge time waster. Checking Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn boards and multiple blogs can be a procrastinator's dream.

"It can be addictive," says Wright, so pencil in the time spent on networking. Set aside a certain amount of time -- maybe the first 30 minutes of your day -- checking e-mail and LinkedIn, twittering, and then "once that's done, get on with doing what needs to be done."

Be patient. Remember, the most successful networking contacts are people who have built credibility among a strong network of connections. "This isn't a quick fix," says Peterkin. "In order to get someone to know you or recommend you, you have to build a relationship. And that takes time."

Fiona Wagner is a freelance writer in Hastings Country, Ont.