Job seekers are wise to turn over every stone, both online and off, and make optimal use of every available resource as they search for leads and reach out to potential contacts. These resources include social media tools like Facebook and Twitter, but if these outlets aren’t approached in a strategic way, job seekers may have a hard time maximizing their benefits. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you turn to Twitter to find your next position.
Twitter and Your Job Search
1. Become a thought leader.
As you work to gain followers and retweet posts that interest you, don’t just parrot back the blogs and articles you like. Add to the discussion, create meaningful content, and build trust among your readers. Try to become a reliable source of insight and intelligent analysis, and make sure your followers know that you have a broad and well informed understanding of the issues that impact your industry.
2. Join useful communities in your field.
In order to follow the guidelines above and become a strong contributor to industry-related conversations, you’ll have to know what these conversations are about. Stay in touch by choosing to follow users and handles that offer high value. Know and be known by those who are close to the beating heart of your industry’s past, present, and future.
3. Follow companies with Twitter handles to find new positions, but be discriminating.
Companies often use Twitter handles to alert users when new positions become available, so if you know and admire these companies and would like to work for them, add them to your feed. But be careful: don’t just indiscriminately add dozens or hundreds of companies to your feed and end up sorting through drifts of ads, promotions, and marketing material for companies simply because their application process begins with instructions to follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
4. Redirect Twitter users to your blog and website.
Using Twitter to periodically redirect users toward your website, blog, and LinkedIn profile can signifigantly expand your online reach. Take advantage of the opportunity provide potential employers with more information about your background and qualifications. Of course if you do this, you’ll need to keep your website professional and your blog fresh and smart.
Most important of all, use Twitter as a resource, but never rely on this or any other form of social media to find you a job. After a few minutes a day checking your feed, get moving, get on the phone with your contacts, and get away from your screen. Turn to the Texas job search pros at Expert for specific tips on how to position yourself in front of employers, land more face-to-face interviews, and get off the market as quickly as possible.