How Twitter Can Help Job Seekers Find Jobs
Harnessing the Power of Twitter for Networking and Visibility
May 8, 2009
By now, virtually everyone has heard of Twitter. The kitschy micro blogging website has exploded in popularity just as news organizations, recruiting agencies, and major corporations have taken advantage of the site’s 140-character or less blog service to deliver up to date news and information. Twitter’s integration with mobile technology in pushing information via SMS text messaging has also made the site popular.
While typing daily updates into Twitter can be very much fun and even addicting, the blogging site can also be used to find a new job. It may seem unlikely in 140 characters, but the power of this social networking website in being picked up by web search engines and third-party websites makes the site a powerful ally in the job search.
Optimizing the Profile for the Job Search
Upon registering,Twitter requires new members to complete profile information. Here’s how the job seeker should approach the form on the Settings page (Account tab):
- Name: The candidate should use his or her real name, not a pseudonym.
- Username: Use first name and last name together (e.g., sarahsmith).
- More Info URL: Enter a link to an online resume (e.g., VisualCV).
- One Line Bio: In 160 characters or less, provide a brief qualifications summary indicating employment goals, skills, and accomplishments. This could be copied from the resume and condensed.
- Protected updates: Make sure the Protect my updates checkbox is unchecked. This allows the job seeker’s profile page to remain public so that employers have direct access to the person’s bio and blog postings (a.k.a., “tweets”).
- Picture.: Click the Picture tab and upload a recent photo. The photo should be a professional looking headshot with a more serious facial expression as opposed to a silly or goofy look. Employers are looking for candidates who will take their work seriously and not goof off on the job.
Using Twitter for the Job Search
Now that the job seeker's membership account is set up and ready to go, the candidate must focus on some secondary job search techniques using the micro blogging website:
- Adjust the background image. The job seeker cannot go wrong by selecting any one of the site's pre-selected backgrounds (themes). However, the candidate can also create a custom background image and upload it. On the Settings page, click the Design tab to adjust the background.
- Tweet about the job search. The job seeker can tweet as much about the job search as possible, providing up to the minute status updates. For example, “Interview at 2PM for a Senior SAP Implementation Specialist at Boston Chiptronics,” “Does anyone know if MicroSalient in Seattle is hiring Telecom Engineers?” or “Seeking full-time position in North Hollywood as a Talent Agent.”
- Use # hashtags. Hashtags are used at the very end of a tweet to identify keywords that are picked up in searches. An example of a three-tag keyword phrase is: #techjobs #recruiters #talentagencies.
- Search people and follow recruiters and companies of interest. From the top menu, click Find People. Type in the names of recruiters and companies in the local area and follow them in order to receive up to the minute updates on new job openings.
Bottom Line on the Power of Twitter in the Search for Jobs
Bottom line, Twitter seems a highly unlikely tool to use in the job search. But despite its 140-character claim to fame, job networking via the micro blogging website can become an effective strategy in finding gainful employment. Learning how to set up Twitter for increased exposure and using the site effectively increases the chances for landing that coveted job offer.
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