Finding employment by networking with a friend or colleague is not new. It’s considered to be one of the most successful ways of landing a job: according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 70% of all jobs are found through networking. In addition, networking can uncover job opportunities that hadn’t been posted on job sites yet. It can even create job opportunities that didn’t exist!
What’s changed drastically in the last decade, however, is how we network with the people around us. With the introduction of LinkedIn in 2002, users can create an online professional profile as well as post their resume and skills with little to no effort. Dubbed the “Facebook for the business world,” linking in with colleagues, friends and acquaintances is easier than it ever has been. It’s even possible to be introduced to someone new through a mutual friend.
Though LinkedIn has changed a lot for the better, the flip side of the coin is the invasion of privacy and the mask of anonymity on the Internet. If confidentiality is a concern, LinkedIn might not be the most effective place unless you’re willing to navigate very carefully. Furthermore, becoming vulnerable to spam and anonymous friend requests can be a hassle. Employers have expressed frustration with the countless messages from strangers seeking employment.
Just like networking in the past, networking with LinkedIn is the most successful when you are proactive and involved. All that’s changed is the medium in which we are able to reach out. So in order to remain relevant and connected, having a LinkedIn profile appears to be a necessity for the future.