Whether you’re unemployed, seeking a career change, or just looking for some part time income to help out that monthly budget, job hunting can be an all consuming endeavor. Plus, the job market has certainly changed in the last 10 years or so. Used to be that “pounding the pavement” was just that … putting on your best suit, comfortable shoes, stash of resumes in hand, knocking on doors. The Internet has made all that obsolete, and if you try to get in the door that way, you’ll certainly be told that “our policy is to only accept resumes through our website.”

While these changes have helped increase efficiency in the hiring process for employers, opened up more opportunities for job seekers, and created an entire cottage industry of job sites, they have also made it much more difficult for you to stand out from the crowd. With HR departments commonly receiving hundreds of applicants per open position, it can be like winning the lottery just to get an interview.

In the job seeking world, nothing can take the place of good old-fashioned networking, and while face-to-face networking is always the best, the Internet has made it possible to expand your sphere of connections worldwide. You probably already have a Facebook page, but if you don’t, it is a great place to connect with high school and college friends who can be a rich resource in job hunting. Just stop talking about what you had for breakfast and begin providing value with your knowledge and talents.

Another social media platform is Twitter. You create a profile and participate with status updates and conversations by “tweeting” in 140 characters or less. It takes a while to get the hang of and develop a network, but it can be a valuable avenue to promote yourself, gain knowledge, and connect with influencers in your field.

The most important social media tool out there for business networking, however, is LinkedIn. With over 80 million members in over 200 countries, it’s the web’s most effective and popular way to expand your professional circle. You can post your resume, talk about your experiences and skills, and join various networking groups. Companies post job listings directly on LinkedIn, and you can apply instantly as well as find out who in your network is connected to that company. If you choose just one social networking tool, it has to be this one.

A few final, very important tips to remember when job hunting online. Strive to always provide value for your followers and connections. Nothing scares off an HR rep more than a status message that reads, “I need a job.” Show what you can do, what you have done, and how you can be an asset.