networking jobs

The New Year has brought on many new trends in the job search world - and the same is true in the executive realm. As an executive, it's always good to stay in the know so that you don't fall behind on great ways to find jobs that may not have been available just a few months ago. If you're just getting started on your executive job search, or are continuing one you started months ago, you may be able to learn something from the executive job search trends of 2010.

Get On Board with Newer Technology

By now, you're probably well aware of the job search capabilities that Facebook and LinkedIn can offer you. However, there are some other technologies making their way to the forefront that could offer additional opportunities to connect with recruiters, post your resume or CV, or simply get your name in front of the public.

One site that is gaining notoriety is VisualCV, a site that allows you to house your portfolio of your personal marketing documents in one location. By signing up for a free account, you can add your work samples, charts, graphs, audio, video and images to your portfolio. Also, you can share your VisualCV via email or through your social networking sites. This is a fantastic way to show off your CV to the people that want to see it.

Also, you may consider creating a Google Profile. Since many job recruiters use Google to evaluate executives, you'll gain a big advantage by exercising as much control as possible over your results that pop up for your name. Google Profiles often show up as the first results for name searches, and allow people to find key information about your professional life. This is definitely a must at the executive level.

Sign Up With Twitter for Pete's Sake

If you have yet to sign up on Twitter, why not choose 2010 to do so? Many executives consider Twitter to be a narcissistic, juvenile site, but this couldn't be farther from the truth, as Twitter offers some great ways to engage with employers and successfully build your image.

Believe it or not, Twitter is a great place to be located by recruiters and key hiring decision makers on a daily basis. By setting up shop on this great social networking site, linking to LinkedIn as well as other blogs/resume locations and throwing out industry-friendly words of wisdom at least once a day, you'd be surprised just how many recruiters could find you.

Volunteer This Year

Taking time to give back to your community is not only a fulfilling experience, but is also a great way to beef up your job search. You can create more opportunities to add to your resume/CV and, even better, create great networking opportunities that would not have been available had you spend all of your job search time behind the computer.

Conducting an executive job search can be a tedious job, but it isn't so bad if you go about it the right way. Hopefully, these new and recurring trends will keep your job search moving in the right direction so that this time next year you'll be well settled into your next executive-level job.