When discussing the realm of networking, it’s hard to ignore the still-hot trend of social networking. Everyone agrees that building your list of “who you know” is crucial to career expansion and the information age has given way to incredibly effective and powerful ways to do just that. Here’s how to begin exploring the social side of networking.

Peruse any career advice or job search-related resource and you will no doubt find social networking as a recommended tactic to furthering your career. Before you dive in head first, we’ve compiled a few best practices when it comes to leveraging social networking sites.

• Start Building Your Web Presence Now.
  Social networking sites aren’t just for high school or college grads anymore. In fact, reports indicate that 65% of business professionals are now clicking and connecting via personal and professional social networking Web sites, and are using them to find new jobs. So, if you’ve been waiting for this practice to take hold, it has.
• The Basics.
  Online networking sites, such as those listed below, offer the ability to connect with people who you may or may not know directly, but who knows one of your friends or colleagues. The concept of these sites is based on the theory that everyone is somehow connected to everyone else by just a few people. This brings the saying “it’s not what you know, but who you know” to a whole new level.
• Location, Location, Location.
  Don’t limit your online presence to just one social networking venue. Build profiles and networks on all the major sites, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Friendster or MySpace.
• Keep it Professional.
  This point can’t be made often enough – the World Wide Web is public domain. You are safest to assume that anything posted on it can be seen by anyone, including current and prospective employers. If you want to use these venues as a means of shaping your career, don’t post pictures from your latest night out, or maintain a contact e-mail like crazysusan@soandso.com. Avoid engaging in discussions on sensitive topics regarding politics, religion or current events. Since controversial or insensitive comments can be seen by potential employers or hiring mangers, your reputation may precede you in a new job, or likely stifle new opportunities.
• Friending.
  The newest form of social networking is “friending” people through various Web sites. The basic idea of friending is to develop a legitimate friendship first, and then let it naturally turn into a business or professional relationship. Friendships can take you much further than regular business networking because they carry a certain level of trust and intimacy, where business relationships fall short.

Networking is without question one of the most powerful means of finding and landing your next career move, and the online social type is certainly leading the way.