Tweet Your Way to a New Job

Do you tweet? If you are a job seeker, Twitter just might help you find your next job. Recruiters are increasingly using Twitter to post job openings.  But job seekers are also finding that posting on Twitter (tweeting) is a smart way to network, establish expertise and help others. Some tips for effective tweeting:

• Tweet on brand. Tweeting as a job seeker is not the same as posting a social status on Facebook.  Your comments should not be overly personal or trivial. Every tweet needs to reinforce who you are, what you are good at and what you can bring to the workplace.
• Show value through your tweets. They can vary from inspirational to informative, including links to relevant articles and interesting retweets. But an underlying theme should always be value to the reader, and ultimately your ability to bring value to an employer.
• Don’t make it all about you. Few people other than your mom will follow you if you just tweet about yourself. Share your expertise, tweet about current issues or offer an interesting quote. Make very few of your tweets about you and the job you are looking for.
• Tweet regularly. You won’t gain much of a following with inconsistent tweets, a bunch at the beginning and then nothing. Like updating your status on professional networking sites, and your professional blog, make it a priority to tweet on a regular basis.
• Hash it up! On twitter the hashtag (#) is used to highlight words in search. Used appropriately, hashtags in your tweet can help others find you if they are searching on a topic of interest.
• Network by following others and asking others to follow you. You will learn a lot by following people in your field and it will give you material to retweet. As you share value in your tweets, you may ask others to introduce you to their followers. The culture of Twitter is very much give and take. Be sure to give more than you take.
• Let your Twitter profile establish your credibility. Make it as solid and descriptive as any other online profile. If a recruiter or hiring manager likes one of your tweets and looks at your profile, it should effectively convey your value proposition and brand.
• Use your Twitter handle on all your materials including your resume, online profiles, and email signature. Include it in online postings. Make it easy for people to follow you.

Break away from the crowd that joins Twitter only to remain silent and on the sidelines. Use Twitter as a valuable tool for sharing who you are and finding that next great opportunity.