Online Networks

Networking online can help you discover groups that share common interests 0:00 and this can be done across multiple platforms. 0:04 You should consider a general platforms where many 0:07 professionals congregate online, as well as more specific sites 0:10 that relate to the industry you want to be in. 0:14 When it comes to social networking for professionals 0:17 nothing beats LinkedIn. 0:20 Over the years, hundreds of millions of people 0:22 have signed up to establish their own profile on the site, 0:25 giving friends, family, but especially professional contacts 0:27 the ability to search, find, and connect. 0:31 LinkedIn allows users to provide details on their experience, 0:35 as well as display recommendations of their work. 0:39 More recently, LinkedIn has added the feature to endorse the skills of others. 0:42 Meaning that people viewing your profile will see at a glance 0:47 how much confidence others have in your various abilities. 0:50 However, there are many sites out there that cater to the specific needs and 0:54 interests of designers, developers, and others in the tech industry. 0:58 Don't rely solely on one platform or network. 1:02 Make sure you seek out the specific sites that can benefit your goals. 1:06 [Paul Boag] I think it's also about not picking and choosing where you learn from. 1:10 The Internet is full with amazing content 1:18 and you can end up looking in so many different places 1:22 that you are actually seeing a lot of the same thing again and 1:25 again and again in various forms. 1:28 So I think narrow it down and pick a small number of sources that you work from. 1:30 Treehouse might be one example but equally it could be 1:34 certain RSS feeds or certain people that you read 1:38 but limit the number of sources that you go to, 1:41 find certain individuals that are trustworthy sources, 1:43 and rely on them to do a lot of the filtering for you. 1:46 [Dan Gorgone] No matter where you choose to network online 1:49 its important to think like a business when developing your content. 1:51 In other words, you want to be found by potential partners and employers 1:55 in the same way that companies want to be found by perspective customers. 2:00 Many of the strategies you'll want to use are similar 2:04 such as strong personal branding, great content, and aspects of SEO. 2:07 For example, creating a keyword rich profile can help people find you. 2:13 And keep in mind that employers may not be searching for your name 2:18 but rather a specific set of skills and experience using search terms. 2:22 If you use those terms in your profile in the description of your experience 2:27 you'll have a better chance at being found and contacted about opportunities. 2:32 As you establish yourself and discover new places to network, 2:40 there will always be a mix of professional and personal contacts 2:44 as well as content. 2:48 Many professionals struggle with balancing their 2 personnas, so to speak, 2:50 as they post updates about family and fun 2:54 but also have connections with coworkers and perhaps bosses. 2:57 Maintaining complete separation is just about impossible these days, 3:01 but consider an approach that will keep your various profiles focused on specific goals. 3:05 Your LinkedIn profile should certainly be focused 3:11 on sharing professional information about yourself, perhaps to get your next job. 3:15 Facebook, on the other hand, might be best used if you connect with friends and family 3:20 but not coworkers or partners. 3:25 It might not always be necessary but establishing your own 3:28 personal policies on how to use platforms can keep the right content where 3:31 it needs to be, and not alienate any potential employers. 3:36 Understand that the benefit you get out of networking online 3:41 is equal to what you put into it. 3:44 Less content and updates mean less of a chance to get to know you 3:47 so do whatever you can to share the best, 3:52 most relevant information about yourself, and make a plan to stay engaged 3:55 and active wherever you create a profile. 4:00