• The official blog of Abacus Group — a place to share our knowledge and thoughts on trends in recruiting •

It’s no surprise that LinkedIn is the top professional social networking site, connecting 200 countries worldwide. With over 130 million users in the United States alone, utilizing LinkedIn is one of the best ways to make connections and speed up your job search.

Networking is an important skill that most professionals know they should have, but are not well-versed in. Unless building connections is an important part of your business, it is likely that you do not have a lot of networking experience.

It is normally not until people start looking for a new job that they take the time to assess their online image. However, keeping up your digital appearance, regardless of if you are looking to leave your current position or not, can connect you with new professionals to build your network and even open the door to your dream job in the future.

Going to networking events and building a list of industry contacts is a key part of advancing your career. As a recent grad, you might have networked a little at career fairs, but true networking events aren’t only about finding potential work opportunities. Following the tips below will ensure you walk in knowing everything you should, feeling confident, and make the right impression.

There is a lot to be gained from expos and conferences but it’s important to note that leveraging the resources and exposure from events like these can be difficult. Below are some tips on getting the most out of conferences and exhibitions.

Starting a new job can be tricky and often quite nerve-racking. However, it’s important to start strong in order to set oneself up for a fruitful career.They say it takes 66 days of repetitive behavior in order to form a habit. The first few months of a new job are the perfect time to form habits that will lead to your success in the role.

First impressions are critical moments; whether you’re meeting with a recruiter, interviewing with a potential employer, networking with professionals at an industry-related event, or starting a new job, just a few moments will define others’ preliminary opinions of you. In general, to make a “great” first impression is to convey oneself as motivated, intelligent, amicable, confident, and authentic.

Unless you’re completely enthralled by a job opportunity, you should not accept the interview. Right or wrong? Wrong—to a point. Sometimes you’ll be pleasantly surprised in this situation. Here are a few examples of how interviewing when you’re uncertain can work to your advantage.

With summer’s unofficial end, Labor Day, just around the corner, many professionals have their sights set on securing new employment in the fall.  Conveniently, many employers reactivate hiring in early fall because they want to take advantage of their firm’s remaining recruitment budgets before the year’s expiration. If you aim to land a job in the fall—before the holiday season—it’s undoubtedly the best time to get started.

Hiring with the help of an executive recruitment firm appears expensive at first glance. In reality, the expenses associated with filling roles internally can be just as—if not more—costly. Chris Cook, Director of Accounting & Finance Recruitment in our Los Angeles office, understands this common concern. He asserts the five strongest reasons why recruiting agencies are worthwhile investments for hiring professionals.