Step Two

“Yes,these are fast forward times and networking online has taken an all-new meaning,” admits Yogesh Bansal,CEO,ApnaCircle.com. After a successful career in the United States,Bansal came home and launched the networking website that’s pretty career-centric. “ApnaCircle is about creating your own network,that’s both social as well as professional,” explains the CEO as he adds,“Recruiters are extensively using online platforms to head-hunt prospective employees. ApnaCircle gives you that edge to remain ahead of time by making your professional profile visible.” Think of it as dropping business cards online. What’s more,you can also get recommended by other experienced professionals that could help attract a future employer. Like it happened in the case of Ashutosh Sinha whose profile matched just what Apnacircle.com was looking for!

Elsewhere,popular portal ibibo.com is giving youngsters a platform to showcase their talent,have their say and get noticed. You could be a superb singer from Surat or a shy,yet talented photographer from Pathankot or a demure dancer from Dhanbad…at ibibo,everyone gets space to not only showcase skills but even form a fan following. “There’s more to social networking that the youth out there is looking for. They are just waiting to be discovered,” mentions Vivek Bahl,vice-president (operations) at ibibo.com. In other words,online social networking sites such as ibibo are proving to be the right kind of platform for individuals who can explore their creative sides and if chosen get the due accreditation and exposure that follows. “Instead of the talented running after the big names we are doing a vice-versa,” Bahl lists out tie-ups with Bosco and Caesar who are searching for dance talent; Elite model management is looking for fresh models and faces while ace lensman Jatin Kampani has been roped in to hone the skills of budding photographers. The site’s popular contests like ihunk and iVideostars have been huge hits with youngsters getting noticed online and bagging plump assignments. “Vidisha Saini was one of the five ifashion photographers of season one and soon after her shoot she won Best Emerging Photographer at Wills Fashion Week. Then the winner of our ifresh face last year,Chandni Nasir,has consistently been getting assignments through the contract she got with Elite Model Management. Rishita Monga,the ultimate iSuperstar got a movie offer from Percept Picture Company while Balmeet Gurm from Ludhiana who joined iHunk,got called for the recent Delhi Fashion week,all because the designer saw his profile on ibibo,” Bahl cites recent examples. And you thought social networking was just about leaving status messages!