Networking isn't Limited to Your Roledex Anymore

By Allison Berman
July 15, 2008

Networking used to mean asking your parents, your friends' parents, your parents' friends, aunts, uncles and the person sitting next to you at the diner if anyone knew of any jobs; and asking friends and their boyfriends if they knew of any eligible bachelors. I kept track of my contacts via my rolodex and I called people on hardwired telephones. Not anymore. PDAs and specifically BlackBerrys have replaced the antiquated rolodex. Texting and emailing have replaced good old fashion conversations. Welcome to the era of Facebook, and Linked In; online networking at its best.

On each of the sites, you create a profile where you "check off" reasons why someone should contact you including friendship, romance, or to network. The details vary from site to site but you basically create a resume of who you are, and from that information the website searches for "matches". It's almost like computer dating in the late 60s.

If your goal is strictly professional, then Linked In is the site for you. On other sites you have the option to enter where you work but it's more of an fyi. On Linked In, professional networking is the whole point and the social component is more of the incidental. You can include a photo of yourself on your page to jog someone's memory, but there is no glitz or glamour.

You enter each of the companies and the years you were employed and Linked In generates lists of your current and prior colleagues. You can also search by name to add someone you know to your network. And if there is someone you want to meet, you can enter the name, see the degrees of separation and "ask" a contact to make the "introduction" or you can pay Linked In to contact the person directly. Your network expands beyond your contacts to your contacts' contacts... and their contacts... You get the idea. Search job titles to find new hires. Search postings to find new jobs. I searched by industry to find someone to update my website. (Send me an email if you want his info- loved him!)

Many stay-at-home parents shy away from Linked In because it is geared to paid professionals. What if you have temporarily opted out of the professional world to raise a family? If you see your time at home as transient, staying in touch with industry acquaintances can be just what you need to get your foot in the door when the time comes. That's where Facebook comes in.

Facebook promotes itself as a "social utility that connects you with the people around you." You can catch up with people you lost touch with from high school and college or you can make some new friends. Share your interests, political views, religion and sexual orientation. Search by your favorite book titles to see what other books people who also loved The Godfather recommend. Upload photos to an album or play games online with friends who live half way around the world.

Whether your goals are personal or professional try going online, if nothing else, it's a great way to reconnect.

Allison Berman, an artist and mother of two, handpaints custom home accessories for interior designers and private customers. She works out of her home studio in Warwick, NY. See her collection at www.withlovealib.com. She can be reached at ali@withlovealib.com. Her column appears Tuesdays.