Professional+Networking+Tools


 * Running head: PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING TOOLS **

** Professional Networking Tools ** ** Reginald Campbell ** ** Florida State University **


 * __ Introduction __**

 Web 2.0 has expanded our means of communication. People can now communicate and interact with each online through Web 2.0. Social media was the first. Social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook led the way. Over time though, social networks tools have evolved or at least diversified. One of those niches is the professional networking tool. We’ll discuss what professional networking tools are, how they are classified, their main features, and their key issues and solutions.

 **__ What is a Professional Networking Tool? __**

 Professional networks focus on building and maintaining professional or career based relationships using Web 2.0. Professional networking tools are Professional or career-based websites or applications the people use to interact with others. Professional networks tools distinguish themselves from social networking tools, because of its focus on career development, discussion, and decisions. For example, LinkedIn is a professional networking tool. Professional networking tools provide a way for people to interact with each other for the sole purpose of career development.

 **__ Professional Networking Tools and how are they classified __**

 All of professional networking tools foster career development, but the users’ careers may vary. Some of the popular professional networking tools such as LinkedIn, Ecademy, Focus, and YorZ do not focus on a specific profession. Rather, they attract all professions and then let the users create their own networks within the website ( Focus, 2011 ). Such an approach is a classic example of produsage. Produsage refers to the users not only participating, but adding to the website as well. For example, LinkedIn allows users to join the website as well as create groups within the website. These new groups extend the initial setup of the website. So, LinkedIn, Ecademy, Focus, and YorZ seemingly have infinite number of professional groups available.

 On the other hand, profession specific networking tools do exist. We’ll focus on Biznik, Mediabistro, Lawyrs, and Butterfly ( Social Media Magic, 2011 ). “Biznik is an award-winning community of entrepreneurs and small businesses dedicated to helping each other succeed” ( Biznik, 2011 ). Biznik users interact with each create connections and expanding a business’ customer base. Mediabistro focuses on professionals in the media realm. Mediabistro provides “opportunities to meet, share resources, become informed of job opportunities and interesting projects and news, improve career skills, and showcase your work” ( Mediabistro, 2011 ). Mediabistro is an excellent place for journalists to share information and look for employment. Lawyrs is a tool that connects lawyers and law students worldwide. Butterfly is a different from the other blogs, because of its approach. Butterfly did not create a niche for jobs, but rather for the type of person. Butterfly’s mission is “To provide advice, support and solutions for mothers who are contemplating a comeback career, while guiding those working moms who are trying to juggle it all” ( Butterfly, 2011 ).

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Generally, entrepreneurs will navigate towards Biznik. Journalist or writers will probably use mediabistro. Lawyers are more likely to use Lawyrs. Butterfly attracts working mothers. LinkedIn, Ecademy, Focus, and YorZ are much more open. They do not have a niche and they allow users to create their own categories. Avoiding classifications may be the reason why LinkedIn is so successful. LinkedIn has reported to have over 100 million users ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">LinkedIn, 2011 <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">).
 * __ What features do they have? __**

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Features refer to the options the user has while using the professional networking tool. They are so many professional networking tools. Some features are distinct to the tool. Instead of focusing on distinct or all of the features, let’s focus on the more general features.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The first feature is the ability to connect to others. Think of this connection as “Friending” someone on Facebook. For example, on LinkedIn, you can send an invitation to those you want to connect to. The invitation may look like this: <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Askanase, 2010 <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">)

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> The second feature is the user’s profile. The profile provides a career description of the user. In some cases, the profile can almost pose as a resume. The following LinkedIn profile is an example: <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Campbell, Profile, 2011 <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">) <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">As you can see, the profile lists employment and education history. It also lists how many connections the user has to other people using the tool.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The third feature is the ability to join and/or create groups. Groups are a collection of users who share a common ground. Groups are common among open and specific professional networking tools. LinkedIn encourages users to create and join groups to further their networking goals. Lawyrs, also, has numerous groups. These groups may be created on the basis of location, school, ideology, or any other reason. The following image is an example of a group:

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Job search is the last feature we’ll discuss. Looking for a job is probably one of the most useful features of a professional networking tool. On LinkedIn, users can search for jobs based off keywords, location, company, job title, job function, experience, industry, relevance, and by how the long the job has been posted. All of these features allow users to really navigate to the right job advertisements. The image below shows how a job search feature looks like: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">(Campbell, Job Search, 2011)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> **__ How are professional networking tools different from social networking tools? __**

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Professional networking tools are used to “stay informed about your contacts and industry, find the people & knowledge you need to achieve your goals, and control your professional identity online” ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">LinkedIn, 2011 <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">). While social networking tools help “you connect and share with the people in your life” ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Facebook, 2011 <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">). In other words, professional networking tools focus on extending and obtaining your career goals, while social networking tools help extend and maintain your social life. Also, social networking tools are different because they do no focus on career enhancement features, such as full resumes, job search, and recommendations.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> **__ Issues & Solutions __**

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> How can you verify other accounts are authentic when browsing on a professional network tools? Professional networking tools are global, so sometimes there is no way to verify if the user actually exists. Is the user’s profile image an accurate description of them? A profile may claim the user attended Harvard, but did the user graduate? Or maybe the user actually attended another school. Issues like these may prevent others from trusting input or information from others.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> In response to the identity authentication issues, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Trufina <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> has initiated a new type of user (2008). In cooperation with LinkedIn, Trufina has begun verifying and authenticating users. These users can then connect to other verified users and groups with LinkedIn. Trufina states “initiative is another effort at increasing the population of verified online identities, and we believe that LinkedIn as a networking site is the perfect benchmark; primarily because <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Trufina <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">verified users can now connect with fellow verified members personally and professionally, and be assured of their identities” (2008) Basically, Trufina and LinkedIn authenticated user accounts, so users could feel confident they are contacting and sharing information with the right people.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Besides account fraud, etiquette and ethics are issues as well. How should one act on a professional networking tool. Should we consider and follow the same norms as if we were using Facebook? Presenting one’s self in person or online should be the same. The same ethics apply. You should respect other’s information. Reframe from spamming users’ email addresses. Always honestly present oneself or the company. Respect other’s propriety rights. If others are posting information that you would like to use, you should request permission. ( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Belilos, 1998 <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">) <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Your reputation precedes you. So, in order to put your best foot forward, consider these ten rules <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Liz Ryan suggests <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> (2005). The Ryan uses LinkedIn as an example, but these following suggestions can be used on all professional networking tools.
 * 1) **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">First of all, create a user-friendly profile. **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Your profile is your introduction to others who do not know you.
 * 2) **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Invite people that you truly know. **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Inviting people cuts down on spamming others.
 * 3) **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">When inviting someone to connect, make sure to be clear on whether you are networking, job hunting, or etc. **
 * 4) **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">When requesting a connection with someone, you may want to state the benefits for the user to accept your invitation. **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Perhaps, you can introduce your connections to the user.
 * 5) **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Users should respond to invites and requests from other users. **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Not participating impedes others from obtaining their goals.
 * 6) **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Personalize the standard invitation. **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> For example, as shown in the previous image, the LinkedIn invitation text states “Since you are a person I trust, I wanted to invite you to join my network on LinkedIn.” Personalizing the text is a nice gesture that shows concern and care.
 * 7) **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Do not abuse the status function. **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Too many updates may force some users to disconnect.
 * 8) **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Don’t alter your work history to find and connect to new users. **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> This is obviously misleading.
 * 9) **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Avoid placing your email address in your profile name. **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This gesture comes across rude and pointless, because most professional networking tools already have a free mail function.
 * 10) **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Connect and maintain relationships with people based off their intrinsic value and not because of the monetary gain. **
 * __ Conclusion __**

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Web 2.0 has expanded beyond just social networking. People can now communicate and interact with each other online through Web 2.0 for the sole purpose of career development. Professional networking tools have developed to be a huge part of Web 2.0. Professional networking tools has forced users to think beyond social networking when referring to Web 2.0. These tools have allowed employers and job seekers to interact online. Professionals can network and discuss ideas with anyone no matter the time or distance. Join a professional networking tool and maintain your online business persona. Remember to take full advantages of its features as well as be aware of identification fraud and online professional courtesy.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Askanase, Debra (2010). Linking In, or Not: Modern Day Cold Calling on LinkedIn. //Community Organizer 2.0//. Retrieved August 5, 2011 from [] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Belilos, Claire (1998). Networking on the Net: Professionalism, Ethics and Courtesy on the Net. Retrieved July 19, 2011 from [] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Biznik (2011). About Biznik. Retrieved July 20, 2011 from [] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Butterfly (2011). Our Mission. Retrieved July 20, 2011 from [] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Campbell, Reginald (2011). [Profile]. Retrieved August 5, 2011 from [|http://www.linkedin.com] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Campbell, Reginald (2011). Job Search. Retrieved August 5, 2011 from [|http://www.linkedin.com] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Facebook (2011). [Homepage]. Retrieved July 20, 2011 from [] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Focus (2011). 50 Social Sites That Every Business Needs a Presence on. Retrieved July 19, 2011 from [] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">LinkedIn (2011). [Homepage]. Retrieved July 20, 2011 from [] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Ryan, Liz (2005). Ten Etiquette Tips for LinkedIn and Online Networking. Retrieved July 20, 2011 from [] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Social Media Magic (2011). Niche Social Networking Sites – Business and Career-Specific Sites. Retrieved July 20, 2011 from [] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Trufina’s Blog (March 2008). The LinkedIn Verified Group. Retrieved July 20, 2011 from []
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Works Cited __**


 * __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Terms & Definitions __**
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Professional Networking Tools **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> - Professional or career-based websites or applications the people use to interact with others.