For as long as I can remember, I have been told by advisors and colleagues that job boards are ineffective tools in a job search. If you are looking for new employment, using your contacts and finding connections with people is the best way to go.

Increasingly, job searches have become more than just handing out business cards and making connections over the phone. Social media sites like LinkedIn have become tools to make connections and even find that next job. I have been an active user of Facebook and LinkedIn since I was in college. Admittedly, though, I’ve been reluctant to take advantage of social media in my job search. That is until recently.

As competitive as today’s job market is, I’m learning that sending in a resume and cover letter alone doesn’t guarantee an interview. So, I’ve started using LinkedIn’s various groups to make connections and learn of possible leads. I’ve learned of job openings through LinkedIn that weren’t posted on any company website.

Though social media sites like LinkedIn won’t replace the traditional resume and portfolio, they do offer a way to make connections in advance of the interview process. With the advent of Google+ and the explosion of Twitter, job seekers have a number of ways to promote themselves online. I see this trend continuing in 2012 and beyond. As long as job seekers use the same professionalism online as they do in an interview setting, these tools can be very useful.

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