I recently was asked how Twitter could be used in a job search.
This job seeker said she thought Twitter mainly was used for searching for long-lost schoolmates or talking about hobbies. She wondered who, outside of her immediate family, would care about her daily activities. Time is of the essence when looking for a job, and spending it unwisely could cost a job opportunity.
Although Twitter messages are limited to 140 characters, it is a powerful job-search tool if you have a strategy in mind.
Bill Seaver, a social media consultant, has some good suggestions about using Twitter effectively as a job-search tool.
Seaver said those considering using Twitter should reframe their thinking from “who cares about your daily activities” to “why would you not want to connect with those that care about you?”
What makes Twitter interesting is that it is in a constant state of motion, and with a mixture of personal updates and professional data it allows you to share information with a range of people in a short time. One way to use Twitter in your job search is to keep others informed of new information in your field or share links with other professionals in your networking circle.
Ask yourself who you want to reach when formulating your Twitter strategy. If you look at a job search as you would marketing your business, then one of your goals would be to sell your brand or services to those who might be serious buyers. Business owners and job seekers care about reaching the right people with their message.
Seaver recommended you develop a realistic view of how Twitter works. For example, if you have just lost your job, using Twitter is a good way to start sharing information with colleagues and those in your field of interest, but keep in mind that social media tends to work slowly and can take time to build momentum. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results, it takes time to develop creditability and rapport.
How have you used in Twitter in your job search?
