Social Networking started for connecting with friends – few years ago. Now days, it became a part of young students and professional for many reasons. People share scraps, Photos and videos – also many widgets are available for sharing games, music, movie list, etc. Orkut, Facebook, Linkedin are part of many individual’s and professional’s life. They access it in PC also in Mobile. If we use it appropriately, Social Networking gives us many advantages. Let’s see how it can help us in professional Development.

1. Keep in touch with your old friends [mostly from previous organizations] – know about what is happening there, new opportunities and get new friends through your old friends. Share information like walk-in interviews, useful web links with your friends – it helps them to update their knowledge and suggest you best opportunities when they cross in your interested areas. It also shows your knowledge areas and interest areas. [Example: Orkut, Facebook, SiliconIndia, LinkedIn etc]
2. Professional knowledge sharing – Use social bookmarking sites to share your Favorite URLs with friends. You can also get an idea about what links they are visiting - [Example: delicious]. There are many PPT sharing and PDF sharing websites [Example: Scribd, Slideshare, etc]- you can collect, upload and share your documents with interested people, it helps you to promote your works.
3. Participate in Groups – Write small articles and post them into Blogs, forums and discussion groups. Ask questions and answer to questions from others. This help you to learn new things and show your knowledge to others
4. Choose right Social Networking - If you are a photographer or artist, showcase your creative works in websites – but make sure you are showing them in right space. For Photographers and artist I would suggest flicker. For Digital Photography – Picturesocial, etc. Search social networking sites based on your interest and use them. Don’t get into common space – where you will get only less focus.
5. Micro-blogging – sometimes, instead of writing essays, a short note will be helpful to everyone. You can share some news, your thoughts and also a quick response to something using micro blogging. You can do this with PC and Mobile. Keep posting micro blogs and it really helps others (even to your boss… J) to know about your knowledge areas and ideas towards something. Twitter is one simple way for this.

Working with social networking is also having some dark sides – particularly when you spend more time with it inside office - J. Use it wisely, and get its benefits. I also would like to warn you about sometimes: Never share personal information to everyone – even to trusted friends through social networking sites – use your phone or talk to them directly always.