Unemployed? Get LinkedIn at Hyannis Career Center

People say it is not about who you know, it is about what you know. But, when it comes to finding a job that is not the case at all.

Networking is the number one way to get a job, said Jane Sheridan a Job Search Workshop Facilitator at the Hyannis Career Center who teaches a new social networking class.

Unlike the kids of today, not everyone knows how to use new social networking tools like Facebook and LinkedIn.

What is the big deal about social networking? Many employers' move to use social networking to hire employees, and for marketing and other business functions, is why the Hyannis Career Center started a new social networking that teaches social networking skills to job seekers. 

What does the new class teach?

"I demonstrate how to actually sign up for Facebook and LinkedIn, where you go within each community to look for jobs, how to search for people related to a field, how within LinkedIn you can use groups to increase visibility," said Sheridan. "I emphasize the same skills applied in face-to-face networking apply to social networking."

Beyond the basics of using the websites like mentioned above, the class weighed the pros and cons of using social networking, privacy and security. Sheridan honed in on the importance of acting as a job seeker would in person. 

"Don't just broadcast - it's not just give me a job, give me a job," Sheridan said. "It's really about relationship building and communicating and collaborating with people."

In a world where technology is driving business and social networking is a must, the career center is teaching job seekers how to build relationships, show off expertise and gain employment through the web.

Fifteen people attended the career center's first class in January. Of the 15 attendees, the majority people had a basic understanding of LinkedIn and some had very limited experience with social networking. The group reflected the Cape's demographic with most job seekers about 30 years old plus. 

This new social networking class is an add on to the career center's face-to-face networking, interviewing and job seeking skill programs. 

"Social networking is an integrated part of our overall approach to teach people the job search skills that they need," Sheridan said. 

Sheridan said the overall feedback about the class was great. Participants were excited about using social networks to find jobs.

Intro to Social Networking Career Opportunities Hyannis,  372 North Street, Hyannis, Thursday, February 24, 2011, 9:00 a.m. 508-771-5627. People interested in attending must be career center members. Contact the Hyannis Career Center about how to secure a free membership.