Are you connected?

Job hopefuls seeking an edge in an increasingly competitive job market shouldn’t overlook online networking sites, a new survey suggests. Nearly two-thirds (62%) of executives interviewed believe professional networking websites -- like LinkedIn -- will prove useful in the search for job candidates in the next three years. And one in three (35%) respondents cited social networking sites -- such as Facebook or MySpace -- as a recruiting resource they plan to tap.

The survey was developed by Robert Half International and was based on interviews with 150 senior executives from the nation’s 1,000 largest companies.

Executives were asked, “Which of the following technology tools do you believe will be most useful in your firm’s recruiting efforts in the next three years?” Their responses:*