With the recent downturn of the global economy, finding a job has become much more difficult. This is especially true not only for employees who have been recently laid-off from their jobs but also for college and university graduates who are seeking full-time employment for the first time. With large companies cutting down on their overhead expenditures, dramatic decrease of online job opportunities and job seekers/job offer ratio of 25:1, many individuals are now becoming more competitive in looking for ways to land their next jobs in order to make ends meet.

Gone are the days of simply posting your resume on career builder websites, emailing former colleagues for referrals and personally visiting one firm after another to find open job slots. Although these traditional means of searching jobs still have some value, these days, if you’re serious about landing a good job, you have to put your computer and Internet connection into good use.

Many people found their jobs using these social mediums. This is because of lot of their recommendations started out from connections that they were able to establish through various online networks. One recent report from Nielsen, a known market researcher, found that more and more people are now spending their time using social networking sites.

Using web-based social mediums have no hard and fast rules on how you could connect and position yourself in order to be found by employers. However, probably the most important thing that you can do is to build your own network of contacts in advance using these social mediums. However, do not just connect with random people. Instead, relate with individuals that you have something in common with such as degree, college or university, industry, interests, professional associations and the likes.

You could actually establish these social connections by participating in discussions in LinkedIn, Facebook and other social sites. You have to engage yourself in proactive online communications to connect with “real people.” Always bear in mind that the contacts you make online will effectively aid you in transitioning from online to face-to-face communications. These so-called human connections will help you in the long run and could possibly land you at the door step of different companies.

Of course, aside from making human connections you also have to make your own profile on web-based networking and employee websites, which serve as the primary landscape for job seekers and companies. Try adding links to your online resume that directly links to your portfolio or personal website to highlight your skills. You could also display your work samples and blogs if you have any. Lastly, do not be afraid to accept recommendations and apply in open positions.