Professional Networks
This term can be applied to almost any network where professional communication is taking place. But there are place designed to be exclusively about professional networking.
Are just a few. There are many more. Just use a search engine and find one that you like. The usefulness of a network depends upon the number and types of people who are a part of the network.
I strongly suggest that if you are considering joining a network that you research it. What do people say about it in blogs, in forums? Get a well rounded picture of the place and to whom you choose to be connected.
NOTE: If you have a personal blog it may not serve your professional purposes to include that in your information at a professional network. Your expression can work against you with certain employers. You may have posted something you no longer feel strongly about, but it can still color a potential employers opinion of you.
Keeping your social networking out of it is also a good idea for the same reasons.
If your employer finds a link to your Facebook or MySpace on your professional networking profile, you are inviting them to see how you waste your time and possibly theirs.
MySpace has a reputation already, but a strong warning for the Facebookies is also important. Your employer may not have an account but their children might and they might request your friendship. If you re playing with silly apps on the clock, just know that you may be doing so in front of those who are not thrilled about paying you to do it. See discretion.
HR people can be sneaky and thorough, so unless you feel very comfortable with all eyes upon your social shenanigans, do not link to them.
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