By Phil Rosenberg

If you don’t know, the first thing you’re likely asking is…What is a hub anyways?

Hubs are a critical part of any job seekers face-to-face, Linkedin and Facebook networking efforts.

But let’s start out with definitions. A hub is someone in your network who is extraordinarily well connected. In face-to-face networking a hub is the person who “knows everybody”. On Linkedin and Facebook, a hub is an open networker, and has over 500 first level connections.

Think of a hub like the hub of a wheel, with many spokes.
Why are hubs important to a job seeker? Hubs can bring a huge boost to your networking efforts. Think of it this way….Hubs know everybody, so you don’t have to. And if you’re someone who wants to know everybody, other hubs accelerate your efforts.

In face-to-face networking events, for instance, hubs can be your most important connections. Think about it…you tell everyone you meet that you’re looking for a job – how many hiring managers do you meet that are looking for your skill set right now (unless you’re at a job fair)? Hubs can introduce you to many hiring managers, because of the size of their networks.

On Linkedin and Facebook, for a broad networking strategy, connecting to hubs blows up your database, fast. For a tight networking strategy, where job seekers network with a close contacts, adding a few hubs to your network is efficient and adds tremendous firepower without adding significant network management time to your efforts. » Read more: LinkedIn: What’s all the Hubbub about Hubs?