Twitter and Your Job Search

In today’s competitive environment, whether you are searching for a job or not, establishing your brand is important. Twitter is an increasingly effective tool to establish your brand and develop your career. Using it along with other social media outlets can help you improve your online presence, communicate your skills and network with others in your industry.

7 Ways to Use Twitter for Your Job Search:

1. Create a Twitter account that showcases your professional profile (think like an online business card). Incorporate your elevator pitch into your bio and provide a professional avatar. Use Twitter as a jumping-off point to your more detailed online profiles — a personal blog, website or LinkedIn profile, for example.
2. Let people know you are a job seeker with a post like; “I’ve updated my #resume and I’m looking for a #GraphicDesign job in #Advertising.” (Include a link to your online resume.)
3. Follow job-related acocunts -- Many companies have job-related Twitter handles. Following those accounts is a great way to keep tabs on job openings in real time, rather than searching the company's website; e.g., @GMJobs and @ComcastJobs.
4. Manually search for hashtags in Twitter, here are a few to try, #JobListing, #Jobs and #JobOpening. Filter your search by adding an additional layer; e.g., #jobs #Dallas or #JobListing #GraphicDesign
5. Start following people and institutions. Figure out who the relevant people are in your field and follow them. This will serve as a valuable networking opportunity. It is more likely that someone will respond to your tweet than to an email from someone they do not know.
6. Create content. Do not just retweet what others are saying; create meaningful content that people care about. Be a thought leader.
7. Follow job channels like @TweetMyJobs based on your interests and @JobChatr based on your location. You will get instant notifications when matching jobs are posted.

Key Reminders:

• There is NO “take it back” button. Every tweet you post can be seen, re-tweeted and replied to … and you cannot permanently delete it from ever existing.
• You are building your brand. Avoid slang or “text speak.” With the 140 character limit, it can be challenging, however remember your purpose, do your potential employers or industry leaders understand that language? If not, avoid it – you want to be taken seriously.
• Do not mix business with pleasure. Consider creating two twitter accounts – one used for career development and one that is social and less formal.