This document discusses the growing use of social networking sites for both personal and professional purposes. It provides statistics from surveys that found 45% of employers use social networking sites to research job candidates, up from 22% the previous year. The document outlines benefits of using social networking sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Plaxo to build professional connections, find employees and business partners, manage one's professional reputation and brand, and stay informed about industry news and trends. It also provides tips for using social networking sites safely and effectively in a professional context.

1. Social Networking Emily Kelps

2. SHRM Survey: Survey of 605 full-time or part-time employed U.S. residents. SHRM Survey: Workers Use of Online Networking Sites Significant - 5/12/2009

3. Why Social Networking? Build trust -- Show your expertise to potential customers, employees and business partners. Answering members' questions in a forum will build your reputation, and likely lead to a few more sales. Find employees or business partners -- On social networking sites aimed at professionals, members create online resumes, leave recommendations (references) for colleagues, and setup introductions for each other. Turn negatives into positives -- Social networking sites allow small businesses to get feedback from customers and then receive public accolades for being a business that cares about and responds to its customers.

4. What Can Social Networking Accomplish? Manage the information that’s publicly available about you as professional Find and be introduced to potential clients, service providers, and subject experts who come recommended Create and collaborate on projects, gather data, share files and solve problems Be found for business opportunities and find potential partners

5. What Can Social Networking Accomplish? Gain new insights from discussions with likeminded professionals in private group settings Discover inside connections that can help you land jobs and close deals Post and distribute job listings to find the best talent for your company

6. According to Careerbuilder.com More than 2,600 hiring managers participated in the survey. 45% of employers reported the use social networking sites to research job candidates: A big jump from 22 % last year. Another 11 % plan to start using social networking sites for screening. Career Expert Provides DOs and DON’Ts for Job Seekers on Social Networking – 8/19/2009

7. From the National Law Journal Of the 100 hiring managers at small, midsize and large companies surveyed, 75% use LinkedIn, 48% use Facebook and 26% use Twitter to research candidates before making a job offer. Do not use any information you find in a discriminatory manner. Managers SHOULD NOT offer recommendations with SPECIFICS. (Lawyers warn employers against giving glowing reviews on LinkedIn - July 6, 2009)

8. Facebook.com Facebook today has 200 million-plus members For people who think the networks are just for kids, the average new Facebook enrollee is in the mid-30s. Fan Pages

9. Plaxo.com Contact Management Site Supports major address books including Outlook/Outlook Express, Mozilla Thunderbird, and Mac OS X's Address Book. Pulse Stream feeds contact changes into your plaxo home. 15 Million Members

10. Linkedin.com LinkedIn has over 41 million members in over 200 countries and territories around the world. A new member joins LinkedIn approximately every second, and about half of our members are outside the U.S. Executives from all Fortune 500 companies are LinkedIn members.

11. Twitter.com 140 characters to answer the question, “What are you doing?” Follow industry leaders who post links to important resources and influence conversations Post questions for quick answers and answer others’ questions to establish your credibility and expertise Create links to your Web site or blog Keep up on the buzz in your industry Network with like-minded people.

12. SHRM Article - Twitter understand the language of Twitter be concise and write things that will get people interested “With HR practitioners we see risk in everything, and really social media tools are very forgiving,” said Ruettimann(a social networking coach). Even if someone posts something they shouldn’t have, “it’s up for a week or two then it moves on. Social media blogging is going to happen, you decide to be a part of the conversation or not. Think before you tweet Its going to be posted in front of the entire blogosphere. Why Getting a Twitter Coach Is a Smart Idea – SHRM 5/27/2009

13. Status links FaceBook Plaxo LinkedIn Twitter

14. Shared Applications WordPress Blog application SlideShare PowerPoint add-in

16. Emails with link of new web content based on that search item