Make New Friends and Advance Your Career

We have all heard that we should grow our professional and personal network, but that’s easier said than done. Who has time to attend lunch or after work meetings? With family who depend on us, friends whom we haven’t visited in a while, and pets that need to be fed and walked, squeezing in one more meeting seems impossible.
However, making time to meet new people is an investment in both your career and your personal life. Whether you are an Accountant, an Engineer, or an Actor, career advancement opportunities are all around and they are often offered to professionals within a hiring manager’s network.

Select two organizations to join or become more involved in. One should be a professional organization and one should be a social or volunteer organization. Set a goal to attend two events per month – one for each organization. Make friends, find commonalities, and commit to sharing your network with others.

You’ll be surprised of what you’ll gain from your new networks – whether you are looking for a new career opportunity or not.

Can Employers Find You Online?

Employers are increasingly using online tools as their primary means of sourcing new employees. Job boards such as Monster and Careerbuilder have long served as the places that job seekers think to list their resumes. But what about the newer “upcoming” networking sites such as Linkedin?

Whether you are searching for a new job or simply use Linkedin as a networking tool, your profile and resume should portray your credentials and professionalism at their best. Online profiles should also include an easy-to-download current resume. The best career opportunities often arise unexpectedly when you are not “looking for a job”.

2010 is the year to invest in yourself professionally. Invest in your online presence, ensure your resume is perfected and easy for employers to review, and increase your network. Those are the three keys to success in today’s online recruiting.