Heads: I should use Twitter for employment purposes…..Tails: I should not. [NOW FLIP THE COIN!]
Heads: I should use Twitter for employment purposes…..
Tails: I should not. [NOW FLIP THE COIN!]
Part 1:Job seekers, are you using Twitter to find jobs? What are your reasons for “Yay or Nay”?
Part 2: Employers, do you use Twitter for hiring purposes? If so, are you finding the top talent you require on Twitter?
John Leonard is reaching out to both job seekers and employers to get a sense as to how valuable a resource Twitter is in securing and/or filling a job. We will address the job seekers side of the equation in this first part of a two part series and will hopefully shed some light on current attitudes when it comes to Twitter in the job market.
Part 1: Twitter for Job Seekers
There are several advantages of using Twitter for job searching. Following thought leaders and participating in industry-related conversations, for example, shows your level of engagement and your desire to keep up-to-date with the latest trends. Also, many job seekers now receive new job openings sent to them directly from tweeters, who turn out to be hiring managers. This can give an individual a leg- up in the application process, giving them an advantage over other job seekers. Furthermore, job seekers are able to develop their networks and communicate with potential employers in a way that is less formal and which allows the job seeker be viewed in a different capacity.
On the other hand, job seekers new to the Twitter-sphere often question who they should follow to gain a job search advantage as options can be limitless. How do you know who to follow? What about companies –firms –industries –that may not have an extensive Twitter presence, or none at all? An important question that will aid in your decision is whether or not the employers you want to work for are on Twitter. Do the research and build a profile of your target employers’ on-line presence. Armed with that information you can begin the process of following the organization itself as well as some key decision makers with those organizations.
Some testimonies:
One job seeker I recently interviewed has a friend who secured a great opportunity at Vogue from a job posting on Twitter.
Another candidate reached out to John Leonard on Twitter, inquiring about a specific opportunity we had posted. Since then, she and I have had extensive conversations about her vision for her next opportunity and has greatly appreciated my efforts in guiding her down her career path.
To share my own story, during my former job search, I frequently posted key professional characteristics about myself in 140 characters or less, including a link to my online resume. A few weeks later, my now employer reached out to me via DM (direct message) about a social media consultant position at a staffing firm. After an extensive interview process, here I am!
These short stories illustrate that Twitter can and does work for many job seekers.
Before you flip a coin to decide whether or not to use Twitter for employment, consider the people and the sector you are targeting; jot down your goals; brainstorm what industries and types of people you'd follow and engage with; establish a level of commitment to building your Twitter presence.
To find your next opportunity, establish yourself as an expert on Twitter. Here are some tips to help you.
If you are using Twitter, continue to the conversation from this blog post using the #JLTweetingforEmployment hash tag. We'd love to hear your feedback.
Dive into the conversation and stay tuned for the second part of this story when we step into the employer's shoes…