Internet has changed the way to approach job searches. Nowadays, if you don't have at least a professional profile in Linkedin, you are definitively missing out a great opportunity.

Remember this: Internet is not an effective tool to find a job. Still, 80% of jobs are found through personal connections. However, Internet is an unbeatable tool to be found by those who matter the most: the ones who have the jobs you want!

Enjoy this clip from an interview I had with CNN en Espanol yesterday. Thank you Adriana Hauser...you are a top-notch journalist.

In the current market environment, networking has become more important than ever. With so much talent available, and pressure to reduce recruitment costs, hiring managers are relying on internal talent referrals and direct hiring. In other words, in times like these, you are more likely to land a job through someone you know than through a recruiter or by answering an online job board.

Networking is an art, and as such, it takes practice and discipline to master it. Just meeting people, attending events, and sending e-mails, is not going to cut it. You need to strategize and - if you are not a natural networker, practice your networking skills as often as possible.

Below we highlight a few tips that can help you become a more effective networking. In addition to trying to apply these tips, we encourage you to explore partnering with a career coach to help you practice and perfect your unique networking style.

Map-out your network.  Create a visual map of your contacts.  Use this map to remind you of who is in your network all the time.  It will become a handy tool for keeping in touch with everyone.  Look at it every time when reading an interesting article or hearing about something that might be beneficial to people you know and drop them an email or forward the information piece.  Keep in touch regularly.

Identify super connectors.  People who have introduced you to several contacts throughout your life are super connectors.  Find a way to show appreciation to these contacts if you haven’t done so already.

Have your pitch ready. What would you say to George Soros or Steve Jobs if you had one minute to network with them?  Be always ready to introduce yourself and highlight what you bring to the table. You will have an advantage if you know before hand who you would be talking to, so you can tailor your speech to catch their interest.

Utilize social networking websites.  Create profiles, and make sure that all of your profiles present you in the best possible way and you are visible to potential employers. Use search engine optimization to come up in searches more often.

Join professional associations and attend their events.  Don’t forget your college alumni associations they might help you develop new contacts.

Talk. Talk to everyone about what you are doing, from friends, family, to your pharmacist and hairstylist.  You never know who will connect you with the right person.

Follow Up. Attending events and collecting business cards is not enough. Make sure you develop a structured follow-up strategy so that no lead is left behind.

If you are interested in partnering with a coach, contact us. We will work with you to polish your skills and get you networking like a pro.