Blog posts and articles everywhere stress the idea that networking is an essential aspect of the job hunt in today's job market. Hiring managers are relying more and more on referrals to make new hires. And job seekers are relying more and more on social media to build their network.

Most articles that cover networking focus on using Facebook and LinkedIn to make connections. However, these are not the only tools that should be used. Facebook and LinkedIn certainly can help you to expand your network. While Facebook is primarily used to maintain social networks and LinkedIn for professional networks, job seekers are finding that the right connection, regardless of which social media outlet it comes from, often leads to job search progress. But what other resources can you tap into?

On OneWire, you can search for and communicate with students, alumni, and the Career Services Office from your school to build your school network. It seems that job seekers who have been out of college for a number of years do not turn to their school network or try to keep in touch with their alumni base. Building a network of professionals who work in an industry you want to break into or at a firm where you would most like to work is a great idea, but turning to individuals from your college or university, or even the career office, can often yield just as good - if not better - results. The common background that you and your fellow alumni share may make them more likely to think of you when they hear of new opportunities. And if you worked with a counselor in the career office while you were an undergraduate, that person will be likely to help you advance your career, regardless of your graduation date.

In order to access the networking tools on OneWire, your school needs to be a OneWire Partner School. After logging in to OneWire, if you find that you cannot use the networking feature, request that your school partner with OneWire.