Using Twitter to find a job

If you are not using Twitter as part of your job search you are missing out on one of the most exciting job search tools to come out lately.If you have never heard of Twitter, let me briefly explain what it is. Twitter is a micro-blogging platform that allows its users to communicate with each other in 140 characters or less.

I have been following Twitter since it emerged on the social networking playing field and have seen it continue to grow as a viable tool for job seekers.

Like any other tool for job seeking, used properly, Twitter can add a lot to the how you can connect with an employer and better still, the recruiters that work for some of the best companies out there. As more companies embrace the potential of Twitter to advertise their job openings and connect with job seekers you will see more attention given to Twitter.

Companies like Best Buy, Zappos, Ernest & Young, Sodexo are a few companies that use Twitter to communicate with job seekers.

One advantage that Twitter gives you as a job seeker is the ability to brand yourself. Personal branding as a job seeker is becoming ever more important and the job seekers out there that are branding themselves and connecting with organizations and Tweeting about their background, experience, passions and knowledge are being found by recruiters. It is a good way to introduce yourself to social networking.

I have made some observations that I think might help those job seekers out there who want to stand out from the crowd in Twitterville.

1. Create your Twitter account with a good username example “@yourname” or “@yourjobtitle”. This is the most identifiable part of your Twitter persona. Include a photo of yourself or a cleaver icon. Your Twitter brand can be established pretty quickly and spread like wildfire.

2. Build a following of Tweeters in your industry. Connect with other  professionals and those who can lead you to someone that can connect you to a hiring manager or recruiter. It’s not always that first you connect with that will lead you to an interview opportunity.

3. Tweet about your experience, an area of expertise, something your are passionate about. Besides, Twitter is a social site make it personal and keep it real. When tweeting about yourself or a topic of expertise, link back to your blog or social networking profile on Linkedin or Facebook. Your Tweets are what will spark interest in a recruiter to want to find out more.

4. Connect with Job Angels @jobangels, They are a network of job seekers and volunteer "Angels" who help get the word out about your job search and assist you linking up with the right career opportunity. Job Angels is a great illustration of the power social networking and community. People do truly want to help each other during these tough economic times and Job Angels is position very well to tap into a very deep and wide network of professionals who want to help others succeed.

5. Another Twitter tool I like is the one created by Careerbuilder @job_alerts . What gives them an advantage is that @job_alerts allows you to create your own search criteria within Careerbuilder and sends you alerts to your Twitter account via what is know as a Direct Message. This is ideal because they do not flood your Twitter account with posts of unwanted and often unrelated jobs. Believe me, there are a lot of job boards out there flooding Twitter using RSS Feeds. Careerbuilder actually has it right.

You can setup a job alert at http://www.twitterjobalerts.com

Just remember, like any other social networking tool, Twitter can be an asset or a liability to your personal brand. Manage it wisely.

For more info: If you would like to learn more about how to use Twitter as part of your job search post your question on the "Ask The Career Coach" section of Talent Evolution