Job Searching? Join These 5 LinkedIn Groups Now

There are several advantages to using LinkedIn during your job search – one of which being LinkedIn groups for job searchers. Not only do these groups give you access to connect with and contact fellow group members who could become future contacts and employers, the groups’ discussion board feature can provide more networking opportunities. By contributing answers and comments, you highlight your expertise to the groups’ participants and establish your own online personal brand on LinkedIn.

There are many job-search groups on LinkedIn. Here are five of the most-popular and well-rated groups to get you started:

Career Central – http://www.linkedin.com/groupInvitation?gid=1800872
A group for current employees, job seekers, passive candidates and people in career transition to meet in a central place with HR managers/reps, recruiters, hiring managers, and career coaches. Career Central offers general career advice, job-search information, tips for job changers, free resources, and a place for recruiters and hiring managers to post their current jobs.

Star:Jobs Professional Career Center – http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/1967292
This group works with Linked:HR, the largest recruiters’ group on LinkedIn, to help top candidates find jobs quickly and efficiently. Linked:HR recruiters are regularly reminded to check this group for top candidates.

JobAngels – http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/1789016
This employment networking program is dedicated to bringing people together in a virtual community where each person commits to a single goal – helping just one person find gainful employment. The program has already helped nearly 2,000 people find gainful employment.

Career Rocketeer – http://www.linkedin.com/groupInvitation?gid=983057
Labeled as “the fastest-growing professional networking group” for career search, career development and personal branding. Career Rocketeer brings job seekers and employers, recruiters, and career experts together for mutual success.

Jobs 2.0 – http://www.linkedin.com/groupInvitation?gid=1827414
Join this group to learn from the professionals in online recruiting and hiring on how to use online social networks in your job search.