networking for work - profile

Create a professional profile with LinkedInLinkedIn is an online professional network. You can create a profile for free that shows your skills, experience and qualifications, much like an online CV. You can also connect with people such as past or potential colleagues or employers and join relevant groups to take part in discussions.

LinkedIn profiles rank highly in Google...Meaning anyone searching for you online will quickly see your professional face to the world.

What fits where?What would you expect to find in a Facebook profile and what details would you include in a LinkedIn profile? Where is there overlap? What features would positively/negatively affect a jobsearch? Some may depend on the type of work you are looking for.

[Photo by Yoel Ben-Avraham]

Use the web to market yourselfPeople can't know about you and what you have to offer unless you make yourself known!

[Photo by Claumoho]

Having a good CV is essential for job-hunting but by using online tools you can bring the written word to life. Use tools such as blogs to show as well as tell potential employers what you're capable of.

[Image by Charlotte West]

An online space you can make your ownTom Baker runs a small community bakery in Birmingham and has used a simple Wordpress blog to create a website to demonstrate his specialist skills, outline his bakery's services and engage customers.

A picture is worth a thousand wordsFemale painter and decorator Liz posts pictures of her work, including 'before and after' shots, on her Juniper Ash Decorating website, vividly illustrating her skill and impact.

Bring skills to life with some videoBirmingham-based Zumba instructor Jolene Speke creates simple instruction videos and publishes them on YouTube to then share on her website and Facebook profile. By using video, Jolene demonstrates her expertise.

Connect with people and opportunities online Because job-hunting can often be about who you know and what they know, as well as skills and experience.

[Photo by Linda Tanner]

Network your skills onlineDriving instructor Scott Rathbone uses a Facebook page to publicise his Ultimate Driving Skool business. He engages his customers with helpful driving hints and tips and publicly congratulates his successful customers, highlighting his own skills in the process.

Use Facebook to help you connect and communicateJolene Speke uses her Facebook profile to connect with and keep in touch with her customers, letting them know of class arrangements. She also uses it to share her demonstration videos and photos.

Get talking to people via TwitterTom Baker uses his Twitter account to talk connect with local people, show off his latest cullinary creations and keep customers updated of the latest developments at Loaf bakery. He posts links to blog posts on his Twitter account to help widen the reach of his website's content.