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Job Brick Wall, Issue #009-- Job Hunting on Twitter
September 26, 2010

Hello Friends!

If your job search is still in the pits, and you are contemplating simply giving up...hold on for one more day. Twitter may be the long awaited answer to your prayers.

I have to admit, when I first landed on Twitter's home page a couple of months ago, I couldn't figure out for the life of me, what all the fuss was about it.

Sure...who hasn't heard of Twitter? But, you can only type a message with a maximum of 140 characters...which counts spaces, symbols, and letters as one character.

How can anyone benefit from such a short message?

Well, I'm hear to tell you, I am now a die-hard Twitter fan. After several days of fumbling through it...I get it. The light bulb finally came on.

More importantly, I discovered that Twitter is a powerful new tool in your job search arsenal.

The secret to Twitter is connecting with people on a personal level. It's networking with a heart. There are people out there who only you can help...and, there are people out there who can help you in return.

Everyone has a gift to give you, but Twitter opened my eyes to the wise saying...The more you give, the more you get.

If you don't know much about Twitter, here is a micro-lesson:

  • Twitter is like being on a CB radio...live conversations with real people, in real time.
  • You can join in these conversations to share ideas, web links, humor, and inspiration.
  • If you can text on your cell phone, you can effectively use Twitter.
  • Twitter is like having your very own radio station with fans who actually want to follow you.
  • You can tune into other people's "stations" to follow their ideas, inspiration, and links to useful cutting-edge information.
  • Lot's of employers, recruiters, and other influential people hang out on Twitter. Sort of like gathering around the water cooler.
  • If you have a presence on Twitter, your attraction to hiring authorities increases as you are seen as someone who is up to date and in step with the times.

Ok...here is the fastest way to start using Twitter for your job search:

  • Go to: www.twitter.com, and sign up for a free account.
    • Make sure you use your real name for your User Name or a variation. Example: MikePetras or MPetras.
    • Use a professional looking photo of yourself, not an avatar, logo, or silly photo.
  • Once on Twitter, read the Help section to learn the language and other useful tips. Takes a little time to get it.
  • To get followers, simply start following other people.
    • If you follow me, I'll follow you back. My Username is @MikePetras.
    • After you follow me, go to my followers and follow 8-10 of them. They'll follow you back.
    • Don't go overboard with following others just to get followers. You want people to follow you naturally.
    • Be real. All the top people want to connect with real people who add value to the Twitter community.
  • Best way to grasp the Twitter culture is to simply read the Tweets of those you're following.
  • Download Tweetdeck to help you better follow and navigate. Go to: www.tweetdeck.com
  • Once on Tweetdeck, click on the + sign at the top of the page and add the following columns:
    • #hirefriday
    • #jobhuntchat
    • #jobsearch
    • #jobseeker
    • #unemployed
  • As of this writing, the above Twitter locations are the best places for job seekers to tweet (text or instant message) and follow people who may have the power to help you by either providing advice, or giving you other useful information, hope, inspiration, and encouragement. You will also help others which is empowering.
  • Words of advice and caution using Twitter:
    • Don't be negative, rude, or crude. All your tweets are public and search-able.
    • Try and connect with people off line via telephone or email.
    • Provide useful links, advice, and information to others...they will reciprocate.
    • Twitter has it's fair share of knuckleheads, spammers, and self-promoters. Just ignore them. There is much more good here than bad. Rise above the noise by being professional.

    For more information about Twitter and how job seekers can benefit from using social media, read Why Don't They Call Me?-Job Search Wisdom to Get you Unstuck.

    Are you following my daily Job Interview Blog?

    I'm on the front lines of the job search war, and want to share with you my latest insights, pearls of wisdom, and website updates.

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    Happy Hunting...and keep smiling!

    Mike Petras

    Every adversity, every unpleasant circumstance, every failure, and every physical pain carries with it the seed of an equivalent benefit. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson


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