Social networking. Are you tired of hearing these words yet? It seems everyone is jumping on the band wagon: last week Mills and Boon launched their own version allowing their users to create profiles and (presumably) chat about Mills and Boons novels (there must be a lot to talk about).

But online networking is useful to more than just your social life. It seems the internet is now valuable for a spot of professional ligging. Since social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace and Bebo have infiltrated our lives, online chitchat is ingrained in us; why not use it to get ahead and be connected to useful people you would otherwise never know existed?

Sites like LinkedIn and Xing have led an increasing focus upon online networking among business professionals. But you don’t have to be corporate-minded to get something out of signing up.
Rather than simply stalking your old school mates; thousands of businesses, companies, job opportunities and useful contacts can be found on such sites like LinkedIn where people are getting clued up to its potential as a career networking tool. Without delving into the mindset of marketing and PR, some sites are genuinely useful and with them expanding globally, they can help you make contacts across the world.

Indeed, last month, Bebo launched local-language versions of its social networking site in five European languages: French, German, Italian, Spanish and Dutch. In a bid to outdo Facebook and MySpace, Bebo has settled for pan-European domination.

Yes – social networking has grown by 35% in Europe over the last year and is estimated to reach a massive 107.4 million users by 2012.  That’s a lot of people to get talking to as potential aids to your professional position.

What’s what

Aside from the benefits of using Facebook and Twitter to make contacts, these sites offer easy networking opportunities:

LinkedIn

This networking site has over 35 million professionals linked in. You simply set up a profile (with all your details, work history and interests), add a photo, add your current contacts and start networking. The site works to use referrals to build upon your contact list. It’s worth persevering with to make contacts within your industry.

Xing

Xing is a European business network. It allows you to manage your contacts online and build professional relationships with people who could be of use. The site is in several different languages, has around 7 million users and even has a network designed specifically for graduates.

Ryze

This is a free networking site. It’s aimed at young entrepreneurs and offers the platform upon which to maintain your connections with friends as well as mingle with professional-types within the industry of your career connection. Although slightly smaller than the other sites, this network still has around 500,000 members in over 200 countries.

5 tips for netiquette

Quick! These ladies need laptops. You're an empty suit-shell without online connections.

Of course, you’ll have to ditch your Facebook habits and adopt a more professional tone in order to be successfully ‘linked in’. However, with a few hints and tips, we’ll have you whizzing up the proverbial cyber-career ladder in no time.

1.    Profile. Make it good. Think of it like your CV or your business card with a photo.  Be easy to contact and have an active presence on the site.

2.    Unlike Facebook, think of career networking like real-life networking. You can’t get click happy and add anyone and everyone that might be useful to you. Do your research about the people you ask to have as a contact. Don’t send a generic, “I think we could be useful to each other” message.

3.    In return, be selective about who you have as your contacts.

4.    Ask for introductions. (Have we regressed to a time circa. Jane Austen novels?) For example, you’ve got a contact on the networking site who is in contact with someone who might be useful for you to be in touch with. Be clear about why you would like to be introduced and why it would also be beneficial to them for you to be acquainted.

5.    Work it. A reputation takes time to build. Even more so when you can’t rely on a good old-fashioned charm handshake (and a little charm) to make contacts.