Expat Networking 2.0: Social Networks are Becoming Professional and Business Networks Too

In a recent article in the Korean Times entitled Social Networking is the Order of the Day, Tim Alper, technology writer, shares a lot of great information about the state of online social networking. More evidence that social networks are not just social or not just for kids anymore. Some of the highlights:

• In some countries almost 45% of adults have signed up for an online social network
• 57 million hits per month are regularly logged for ads on MySpace
• Mobile companies are spending vast amounts of money on building applications for mobile online networking
• It's impossible to imagine modern Korean without Cyworld, one of the world's first online social networks
• People are using social networks to find business contacts that transcend borders and time differences, not just connect with old friends and classmates
• Koreans see the connection between social networks and their careers. They expect that human resource professionals to review their presence on online social networks before making a hiring decision. 32% of Korean companies admit they do.

And this is my favorite quote: "If you have never been poked or superpoked, or you have no idea what a dotori is, you are probably living under a rock in a truck stop off the Internet superhighway."

A bold statement to be sure...but it does get you thinking. How much do I really know about online social networking?  How much do I need to know if it is becoming such a big part of how professionals and businesses are connecting with each other?

YOUR EXPAT SUCCESS TIP:  If you are an expat interested in working in Korea and are not already a member of Cyworld, sign up as soon as possible. If you are interested in working abroad, make sure that nothing you find when you google yourself would turn off a human resources professional or hiring manager. (If you do find something less than favorable, please see a previous post on cleaning up your digital dirt).

YOUR THOUGHTS?: What has been your experience on social networks?  What would you say were the nature of most of your contacts online?  Has the nature of those relationships changed over time?

If you've found this post of value, feel free to give it a digg (below) so that others might become aware of it. Many thanks!

Comments

[Successful Web Women]

Dear Megan
this is a very interesting article and I agree completely with you.

All these platforms are great ways to find business partners and interested people. The boom in web 2.0 is due to all these networks.

But, still we need to be careful. We are much more transparent then before. We should not disclose any private information.

Thank you for that insight
Yani

[mohan]

Dear Megan, there are many networks claiming they are exclusively for business/ professionals. i found www.linkedin.com, www.livebiznet.com and www.fastpitchnetworking.com