Blogs, Listservs and Newsgroups

Blogs, listservs and newsgroups can be useful information sources when they’re connected to business, career or work search interests. You may be able to use them to find job leads and network contacts:

• Blogs (or web logs) are currently very popular.
• Listservs are e-mail groups that send out regular mailings and allow you to participate in discussions.
• Newsgroups and discussion groups use different technology but serve the same purpose.

Many individuals and companies use blogs, listservs or news and discussion groups to present information, ideas and opinions. Unless the source you are accessing is connected to an established organization like an association or industry group, the time you spend may not provide any potential job leads.

Limit the work search time you spend accessing alternate information sources like blogs, listservs and newsgroups. Following threads (discussion topics) and tags (links on blogs) can be very time-consuming!

Always protect your online profile and privacy when you use blogs, listservs and newsgroups.

Blogs or web logs

Some career websites and online columnists suggest reading company, CEO or employee blogs to find job leads or make networking contacts. It’s hard to find work-related blogs based in Alberta or Canada, although this may change in the next few years.

• Check out this Alberta company’s blog.
• Visit a blog about work search.
• Click on the following links to search for blogs:
• Google Blog Search
• Technorati

Listservs

Listservs are e-mail groups that send out regular mailings and allow members to participate in discussions. Active public listservs dealing with work search in Alberta are currently difficult to find.

To find work search listservs, try:

• professional or industry associations in your field. They may sponsor listservs.
• entering listserv and an industry or job title into a search engine, e.g. listserv + construction industry.

Newsgroups and Discussion Groups

Newsgroups and discussion groups function like bulletin boards for users with common interests.

For job search and employment discussion groups, check out:

• Google's ab.jobs (Alberta jobs) group
• Google groups
• Yahoo groups
• MySpace groups

To access the newsgroups that your Internet provider carries, you need:

• your Internet provider’s URL (web address) in order to use the software. Ask your Internet provider.
• newsreader software, available free online. Search using Free Newsreader Software.

When using these sites be aware that many groups contain uncensored content, particularly those with the alt. prefix.

Check out this article for more information about news and discussion groups.