Since announcing the founding of my new startup — Standout Jobs — I’ve noticed something amazing from my network of friends and contacts that I’ve built through blogging and social networking.

They’re acting as a real-time research team.

In the last few weeks I’ve been sent tons of great information that’s of value to what I’m doing with Standout Jobs. People send links to industry news, blog posts, competitors, etc. All of the information is extremely valuable and hugely appreciated.

This is fascinating to me because it was unexpected. I was certainly hoping for support, and I knew I would lean on a lot of great people for different things (and will continue to do so), but I didn’t expect people to be looking out for me in the way that they have.

It’s a great lesson in the true purpose and value of social networking and blogging: 2-way conversations and reciprocity. Or simply put, “I scratch your back, you scratch mine.”

There’s nothing new in that mentality – I do something for you, you return the favor – but the key difference when it comes to the community of people growing within blogging, podcasting and social media circles is that we return the favor “just because.”

Just because you reached out, I reach back. Just because you took the time to communicate with me, I communicate back. Just because you became a friend, I help you in return.

It’s not so much about doing one another favors, or thinking in terms of business transactions, as it is about connecting and building relationships. The relationships I’ve built through blogging and putting myself out there have resulted in a network of people feeding me valuable material for Standout Jobs. I don’t need to track every single mention of every single thing related to the job market; everyone’s already doing it for me.

That sits at the heart of what we’re all doing: reaching out, befriending others, and having them reciprocate in kind.

Here’s some of the things people have sent over recently:

• What’s Next: The Monster Dilemma
• Lip Dub – Flagpole Sitta by Harvey Danger
• New Start-up Video Sharing Web Site HireOrNoHire.com Helps Job Seekers Ease Through Job Interviews with Confidence
• Recruitment: What Not To Say – I Love Rewards
• Overhauling the Recruiting Process at CDW Corp.
• Time to Hit Pause on Video Resumes