If anyone should be writing on this topic it should be someone who has actually landed a job via Twitter. Two years ago I joined #jobhuntchat on a whim one Monday evening hoping to gain insights on how I could get a job in an awful economy. I can’t even remember the topic, but I do remember that one of the hosts was actually from my hometown so I reached out to her asking for advice or if she knew anyone that could help me land at least an internship.
I figured that even if she didn’t respond to my tweet or couldn’t help me directly the knowledge that I had already gained from the chat was valuable enough to come back next week. Against all odds, she responded! Not even a week later we were sitting in a restaurant talking about how I could learn from her and what an internship with her would entail. I was hooked! It wasn’t your normal 9 to 5 internship, but it was something that fit my scheduled and at the same time introduced me to an entirely new world of marketing and public relations.
Within 6 months I was hired and within two years I was hired as a full time employee helping in all aspects of the business. Twitter has been one of the best things for me and has been a proven success story for me. In efforts to help you gain the same fortune here a few tips I have come up with to land your next job on Twitter.
How to Use Twitter to Find a Job
Hashtag Chats Are Your Best Friend. If you’re looking for a job and you haven’t started participating in hashtag chats you needed to start yesterday. These chats are usually from industry leaders and even better most come from startup environments. Rarely will you see a Fortune 500 company hosting a weekly chat, but to me, I enjoy it better that way. These are a great way to meet influencers in your niche, and you never know what opportunities might come up just by chatting.
Don’t Be Intimidated. This is my number one pet peeve on Twitter. What’s the point in Twitter if you’re to intimidated to use it properly? No matter who your idol is, don’t be afraid to reach out to them on Twitter. When I first started on #jobhuntchat of course I was scared to tweet someone I didn’t know and someone who was the CEO of their own company, but I did it and look at where I am now. Twitter allows job seekers access to CEOs, recruiters, and industry leaders so why not use that access? Even if it’s a simple “Hello, I would love to know more about your company.”
Follow, Follow, Follow. If you’re looking for a job and you have a list of companies you’d love to work for, follow them on Twitter. Sometimes the smallest interaction can get your name on a list. Especially if you’re applying for a job in marketing or public relations, you’ll want to be apart of their brand. Studies say that 80% of job seekers are customers of the company they’re applying for. Follow everyone and engage with those who you want to work for, be consistent and be professional.
Stay Professional. I hate that I even have to talk about this. Some people don’t know the beginning of staying professional. If you’re looking for a job, don’t go tweeting pictures that you wouldn’t want a future employer to see. Practicing social etiquette is important when building a clean online presence. Feel free to have fun on social media, but remember, everything you tweet gets stored in the Library of Congress. It’ll always be there no matter how much you want to take it back.
With these quick steps on using Twitter for your job search, you’re sure to find a job before you know it! Keep networking and looking for opportunities to dive head first into the Twitterverse. It might not happen overnight, but finding a job on Twitter isn’t out of the question and is always a possibility. Happy Job Hunting!
How have you found luck on Twitter in YOUR job search?
