How to use Twitter for your job search

By Rob Lichtscheidl, BA, MAT

& Dave Rockey

What is Twitter?What is Twitter? Twitter is a social networking and Twitter is a social networking and

microblogging service utilizing instant microblogging service utilizing instant messaging. Twitter is open ended and people messaging. Twitter is open ended and people and companies use it in a variety of ways, but and companies use it in a variety of ways, but the real value to us is job related research. the real value to us is job related research.

Readers Digest of a blog! (for those old Readers Digest of a blog! (for those old enough to who know what RD means or old enough to who know what RD means or old enough to know what a blog means!)enough to know what a blog means!)

How does Twitter Work?How does Twitter Work?

Users post updates on Twitter that are Users post updates on Twitter that are displayed on the user's profile page and displayed on the user's profile page and delivered to other users who follow them.delivered to other users who follow them.

Smart phones made Twitter even more Smart phones made Twitter even more valuable!!!!valuable!!!!

Lesson 1: Twitter VocabularyLesson 1: Twitter Vocabulary

Tweet: Tweet: A tweet is a post or status update on A tweet is a post or status update on

Twitter, a microblogging service. Because , a microblogging service. Because Twitter only allows messages of 140 Twitter only allows messages of 140 characters or less, "tweet" is a play on the characters or less, "tweet" is a play on the size of the message. It’s a smaller “shout size of the message. It’s a smaller “shout out,” than a blog.out,” than a blog.

Twitter Vocab Continued:Twitter Vocab Continued:

What is following?What is following? Following someone on Twitter means:Following someone on Twitter means: you are subscribing to their Tweets as a you are subscribing to their Tweets as a

Follower Follower their updates will appear in your their updates will appear in your timeline in in

chronological order. chronological order.

Basic Networking

Be much more connected to people who are involved in areas you are interested in. You can hear about jobs available at companies. You can Tweet people you met on Twitter, and in minutes have some information about the jobs.

Twitter’s sweet spotTwitter’s sweet spot

The best part of The best part of Twitter is that it allows you is that it allows you to connect with people you don't know, to connect with people you don't know, based on common interests. It’s an based on common interests. It’s an invaluable tool to do some networking! invaluable tool to do some networking!

Control and timingControl and timing

o Be more proactive in talking about Be more proactive in talking about what's going on in regard to my what's going on in regard to my job search. So, mentioning things job search. So, mentioning things more often about interviews I have more often about interviews I have had, or people I have met with. had, or people I have met with. This keeps it fresh in people's This keeps it fresh in people's heads that I am looking for a job. heads that I am looking for a job. They are then more receptive to They are then more receptive to offering help. offering help.

Jobs on TwitterJobs on Twitter A killer application (commonly shortened to A killer application (commonly shortened to

killer app), killer app), Wider appealWider appeal Need to haveNeed to have Super MarioSuper Mario FacebookFacebook

How can I use Twitter for my job How can I use Twitter for my job search?search?

Employers and job sites post job openings Employers and job sites post job openings on Twitter, and job seekers use Twitter to on Twitter, and job seekers use Twitter to help facilitate their job search.help facilitate their job search.

Its fast, free and controllable for Its fast, free and controllable for employers.employers.

Real time!Real time!

o Reaching OutReaching Out – actively seek people you – actively seek people you want to network with and say something like want to network with and say something like "Hi - I'm looking for a job in sales or "Hi - I'm looking for a job in sales or technology. Is there anyone you can think of technology. Is there anyone you can think of to refer me to?" to refer me to?"

o Company researchCompany researcho Social networking out in the cloud.Social networking out in the cloud.

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Follow peopleFollow people

Who to followWho to follow

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