The Career SociaList

by Nettie Boivin

April 30th, 2008 in Advice, Careers, Jobs, Newsletter, Resources, The SociaList Issue

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Looking for a job? This is one area where social networking shines in making life a lot easier. Here are 10 sites that will help in the “It’s all about who you know” department.

1. LinkedIn - This is THE social networking site for business and careers. The beauty of LinkedIn is how it takes the old adage of “it’s all about who you know” and organizes your classmates and former colleagues into an easily accessible network. It’s these connections that can quickly offer insight into job openings and compatible companies while helping you get your foot in the door of your dream job. On top of that, LinkedIn provides you a list of job openings in your industry and city based on your profile.

2. MediaBistro - MediaBistro is one of my favs and a sure-fire way to find interesting jobs, projects and advice on working in media. The site is dedicated to building resources and community for professional and freelance editors, writers, producers, graphic designers, book publishers, and others in industries including magazines, television, film, radio, newspapers, book publishing, online media, advertising, PR, and design. Another site for creatives and tech jobs is Krop. Despite the number of creative shops around here, I was surprised to find that Campbell-Ewald is the only company from Michigan with a current posting. (Attention Michigan’s Creative Industry: Let’s show them what we’ve got!)

3. Idealist - If you’re looking to make a difference in the world, this is the site for you. Beyond job postings in the nonprofit field, Idealist.org allows you to create and join groups to find little pockets of friends that share your passions and experience, subscribe to blogs and RSS feeds on the info you want, and also find volunteer opportunities, organizations, events and even more great job sites in the philanthropic world. Getting local, check out Michigan Nonprofit Association’s site too.

4. SimplyHired - This is more purely a job search engine that pulls from all over the Internet. Social networking isn’t necessarily the driving force here, but it does provide networking tools within most companies that turn up in your search results using LinkedIn, Vault and Spoke. Beyond that, it offers some really useful city-specific info like strongest local industries, popular jobs, trends and the area’s financial landscape.

5. CraigsList - Never underestimate the power of CraigsList. No, it’s not the latest media darling of the social networking world, but it continues to do a phenomenal job of connecting jobs and job-seekers in the industry and city you want.

6. Facebook / Jobster - Savvy Jobster hooked up their app with Facebook to serve thousands of college students looking for jobs. Upon further search, I found more than 26,000 members on the “Career Center” Group. Then searching in Facebook’s Groups, I found more than 500 groups in the “Employment and Work” category with 6,499 members for example showing up in “The Official Public Relations Facebook Group” posting job openings and profiling job seekers.

7. Yahoo Groups - I would’ve overlooked this, but the wonderful Courtney Chapin from Career Services at Michigan State suggested it. I did a search for Michigan jobs and found 402 members in the Michigan Film & Production Group sharing tips, techniques, job leads and portfolios. I noticed a steep increase in discussion in January and March with the passage of the new film incentive package. There’s all sorts of unique groups. Find yours here.

8. Kickstart - A rival to Facebook’s college crowd and LinkedIn’s concept, Yahoo launched their brand of professional social networking in 2007. Targeting students, recent grads and alumni, Kickstart connects candidates with alum for leads on dream job, mentorship and advice.

9. Doostang / NotchUp - These sites have a private-club air to them boasting the best and brightest job candidates around. NotchUp even pays you to get interviewed! Joining these networks is by invitation-only, which left me desperately trying to figure out my way in. Then it occurred to me that an MBA would probably help.

10. SkillsTm - This site wants to take the idea that “it’s all about who you know” and turn it on its head. Instead, a junior at Duke University just launched SkillsTM, a social networking site connecting candidates with jobs based on skills and experience, not personal connections. The site is brand new, so no listings from Michigan yet. Beside its app and five members on Facebook, I’m not sure what kind of credibility this has yet, but I’m liking the the concept.

Have you had success using social networks for job hunting? Leave a comment and let us know!

After a five-year stint in Chicago, Nettie returned to her native Michigan to discover the state's infinite production of creativity. As editor of MiLifeMiTimes.com and Media Mix Director for BrainGain, Nettie spends her time writing about and promoting Michigan's reinvention through its outstanding arts, culture and creative talent.