Last updated : Tuesday, April 26, 2011

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5 Tips to Get a Job in 2011

If you’re job hunting, the days of printing out résumés and sending them to every company you can think of are over. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s all about networking. While networking may seem daunting at first, it’s not only a quicker and easier route to landing a new job, it can help remove some of the isolation you may feel if you’re unemployed. Not sure where to start, or want to maximize your network? Follow the tips below.

LinkedIn
With its online community recently surpassing 100 million users, LinkedIn is a must for job-seekers. On LinkedIn, you can create a profile, add your résumé and skills, and connect with business colleagues and friends past and present. What separates LinkedIn from other social networking sites is that it allows your online persona to remain completely professional. You won’t have to worry about “friending” business associates on Facebook or Twitter and then having your friends post unprofessional photos of you for everyone to see!

Beyond.com
Beyond.com is another valuable resource for job-seekers to network online. The thing I love about this site is that you can browse their extensive lists of local and national networks by location or occupation. Check out their Engineering channels, for example, and you’ll find 164 communities and online job boards for specialties like chemical engineering, electrical product managers, safety engineers, and more.

Hit Up the Big Boys
Which large, national companies in your field are always hiring? Find contacts who work at these companies through your networking efforts, and make sure to introduce yourself. Ask your contact if you can take them out to lunch or a cup of coffee to find out more about their company. You’ll gain insider knowledge, and your contact will think of you first if an opportunity arises. Also keep in mind that the U.S. government is always hiring for a wide variety of positions. Visit USAJobs.gov to browse openings by agency, state or occupation.

Think Local
One of the best places to network is at a local level. Go to CareerOneStop.org and select your state on the upper right to connect to your state’s department of employment and find out about local job postings and upcoming career fairs. You can also find resources to learn more about different types of careers and free job training that may be available to you.

Keep It Up
Remember, networking is an ongoing process that doesn’t end with posting your résumé! Make sure to stay active in your communities, both online and off. Get together with other job-seekers regularly to keep up your spirits and share any leads you’ve found. It may take a while, but with a little networking you can land the job of your dreams.

For more financial tips, visit Clarky's website. And for more career tips, click here.

Clarky Davis is a debt management expert with more than 10 years of personal and professional experience. As The Debt Diva she offers financial fitness education and "real world" money saving tips to help consumers trim their spending in just about every area of their lives. As The Debt Diva, Davis has appeared on "ABC News Now," "Fox Business," "Fox and Friends" and "Nightline."

 

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