On Thursdays, I answer readers’ questions about their job search. I love hearing what is on your mind, so don’t be shy — send me an email or leave your question in the comments section. Dear JobMonkey, I’ve seen you talk a lot of networking online to help find a job, but I really don’t know how that’s supposed to work. I signed up for accounts on LinkedIn and Twitter, like you suggested, but now what? Thanks, James in Vermont Dear James in Vermont, Thanks for your letter! You know, using online networking to find a job is a lot like job networking in person...

We talk a lot here on the JobMonkey blog about the importance of networking. And really, I don’t think the impact of effective networking can be underestimated: Career experts tell us that 60-80% of all new jobs are landed through networking connections. But what if you are already talking to everyone you know (and everyone they know), regularly updating your profile on LinkedIn, attending networking parties, and participating in industry events … and yet you still haven’t found a job? How about this non-conventional networking idea: Volunteering? The personal and professional...

Hope you all have been having a great weekend.  I have been busy reading this weekend, all about the depressing unemployment rates for November, on the one hand — and recession-proof jobs, on the other.  I also have some great job-hunting tips in here, too.  Happy reading and have a great rest of your weekend! >> Unemployment Rates Reach 34-Year High in November 2008 @ Yahoo Finance. The news is definitely disheartening, but knowledge is power, so take it in stride. >> Top Recession-Proof Careers @ Five Cent Nickel.  It’s the silver-lining to the unemployment new...

I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving, with just enough turkey and plenty of other things to be thankful for. I know that the last thing you probably want to be doing this weekend is looking for a job.  But there’s no rest for the weary, right?  To help keep you motivated, I have found some great posts and articles to share with you.  Happy reading. >> Questions for the Interview @ Lambentpath.  This is a new-to-me blog, which I found on Wednesday while writing my post about the Top 5 Career books.  Included in that list is the similarly themed 201 Best Questions To As...

I wrote last week about the critical importance of networking in finding your next job. While nothing can replace real-life interaction with friends and friends of friends, the growing world of social networking is a bastion of opportunity you might want to tap as well. There are a host of social networking sites, including LinkedIn, Facebook and MySpace, but some are better than others for finding a job (as opposed to locating new friends). Here’s a look at the inner workings of LinkedIn, which is widely viewed as one of the best sites for professional networking. How does LinkedIn w...