Searching your network for jobs

If you're a writer, accountant, or practically anything else, the best way to find a job is through people you know. LinkedIn is a professional networking site that allows you to electronically link to people you know and meet. It's sort of like Facebook for work.

I started working Linked in earlier this year, and after a hiatus, I'm up to more than 60 connections. However, my connections also have connections, which expands my network exponentially.

Where this expanded network can pay off is using LinkedIn's job search function. After establishing your profile, you can list job searches based on the same criteria (job title, location, etc.) found in many other job search engines.

With each job listed, LinkedIn includes a link allowing you to list who you know at that business. This link gives you an inside track. Most companies pay employees referral bonuses, which gives you a company insider powerfully incented to assist you in landing the job. Your contact may also provide insider information about the job, the hiring manager, and the corporate culture. In this job market, a bad job is better than none, but in any job market a good job is better than a bad job.