Twitter as a “Twool” in Your Job Search
While Social Media platforms like LinkedIn have gained increasing popularity with today’s job seekers, many are still on the fence regarding Twitter. Not too long ago, I was one of those wondering if and how this tool might assist job seekers. While I had my own ideas, I thought what better way to uncover how it can really help those in the midst of a job search than to find people who had success using it. So, I interviewed two women who found their jobs using Twitter.
Enter your information below and I’ll send you these two interviews to keep so you can learn how to incorporate Twitter as a “twool” in your job search:
After listening, please share your thoughts and feedback below…
2008 – 2010 (c) Kevin Kermes Inc. – All Rights Reserved
5 Reasons Why Social Media MUST Be Part of Your Job Search
There’s a lot of static out there about Social Media and its place in the job search process. Many think it is a bit time drain with little return on investment. And, like anything else, without a “plan” it can be just that. But, properly implemented, it can be a more powerful catalyst to getting your job search engine off and running than just about any other single tool out there. This is largely because it embodies a collection of qualities that, combined, can streamline your search efforts while putting the maximum amount of pressure on a pinpoint area – your target position:
Visibility – These mediums allow you access to an unlimited amount of professionals within your targeted audience. What’s more, Social Media sites by definition allow for and promote the organization of niche “groups” which make finding your audience that much easier. LinkedIn is a prime example of this, but Facebook and YouTube as well.
Transparency – This is a bit of a mantra to your success in Social Media environments. I like to equate it to going to a party. Would you set up a table and starting pitching your product (i.e. “Here I am, looking for a job”) or begin by connecting on common ground? This is particularly true on Twitter – one of the more transparent tools out there. It is the first step in the process of “Know, Like, Trust,” which we all go through in determining what we are going to buy. Or, in this case, who they are going to hire.
“Pay it Forward” – Coupled with transparency, it is the second key to success in Social Media. Help others to not only get them to help you but, of equal importance, discover who will help you. And, by way of this assistance, you get a third party endorsement or recommendation. You can start doing it by simply asking others, “How can I help you?”
Nobodies are the New Somebodies – Borrowed from Guy Kawasaki, in the simplest of terms you don’t know who can help you nor do you know who knows who. Connecting with the big wigs in your industry through Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn can be fun, but it’s that avid networker who you have never met or heard of who is your better bet.
The Quality is in the Quantity – This is how you get to the “Nobody Somebodies.” By using tools like Opennetworker, you can build a network of likeminded, “give to get” individuals rapidly on a number of platforms (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc.). By having a large number of connections, you have more choices from which to drill down and develop deeper, more meaningful connections. Think of it like filling your own networking event: pack the hall with as many folks as possible and then work the room to see who can help you (and, of course, who you can help).
It’s clear that Social Media isn’t the fad some first claimed it to be. It is almost equally as pervasive off-line as it is on-line. By incorporating it on the front end of your job search efforts to “fill the funnel,” you will not only more effectively tie in with the opportunities you seek but also uncover that elusive “hidden job market.”
And, as always, let me know what you think my chiming in below!
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SME Mastermind Call: Marci Reynolds – “Twitter and Your Job Search: The Secrets to Harnessing this Tool for Maximum Success
Our next Subject Matter Expert (SME) Mastermind Call is January 19th at 12:00pm:
Twitter and Your Job Search: The Secrets to Harnessing this Tool for Maximum Success
If you’re not using Twitter for your job search, then you are missing out on one of the most valuable and fastest growing internet tools available to you. It is easy to learn and it is free!
According to a recent survey by Jobvite.com, 80% of employers use or are planning to use social networking to find and attract candidates. Hiring managers, human resources staffers and recruiters covering every industry, profession and geographic area are using or plan to use Twitter. And, you want to be found!
Marci Reynolds is the CEO of J2B Marketing, a “Job Seeker 2 Business”™ Internet Marketing & Online Copywriting Services Firm based in Boston, MA and the author of the new ebook, “How To Use Twitter For Your Job Search.” In this informative session, Marci will cover the three, most frequently asked questions from job seekers about Twitter, which are:
- Do I have to use Twitter? Why? How will it benefit my job search?
- Who should I follow?
- What should I Tweet about?
In addition, she will cover these bonus areas…
- How to use Twitter as a job board
- How to find expert job search advice on Twitter
- How to network within the Twitter community for your job search
- Quick overview of Twitter tools
This call is ONLY for Career Mastermind Group members. Not a member yet? Join now to access this call (as well as the archived calls and training materials) with Kevin’s special F.R.E.E. 1 month Membership trial.
By joining you also get access to past SME Calls (Ilona Vanderwoude on Resumes, Chuck Csizmar on Compensation Negotiation, Wendy Weiss on Cold Calling Hiring Managers, Katherine Moody on Networking, Lorena Stanley on Interviewing and numerous Q&A calls with Kevin) plus everything else the program has to offer. Learn more about the Mastermind Program and take advantage of a one month F.R.E.E. trial.
How to Use Twitter and Hootsuite in Your Job Search
A video straight from my Job Search 2.0 Bootcamp System and Career Mastermind Program – I share the techniques I give my clients to use Twitter (via the Hootsuite Platform) to begin networking, building relationships and uncovering the "hidden" job market. Let me know what you think!
If you want to know how you can get started now using these techniques and more to:
- stand out in a crowded market place
- establish yourself as a Subject Matter Expert
- uncover the "hidden" job market
- drive opportunities to you without recruiters or the job boards
- cut significant time off your job search…
Learn more about my Job Search 2.0 Bootcamp System and Career Mastermind Program
7 Categories of Who to Follow on Twitter for Your Job Search (guest blogger and SME Marci Reynolds)
When you first join Twitter, one of the challenges you may experience is trying to determine who you should follow to maximize the success of your job search. This blog post will discuss the goals, the seven categories and the “how to” of who to follow on Twitter for your job search.
What are your job search Twitter follow strategy goals? By following the right mix of Twitter users, you will reap many job search benefits; It will help you stay current with industry knowledge and trends. You will get access to up to the minute information about and connect directly with leaders at the companies you may want to work for. You will get expert job search advice and links to helpful tips and articles. You will get access to real time job postings and recruiters that specialize in the jobs you are interested in. And, it opens up another audience for networking.
Ultimately, you have the ability to fast track your job search by increasing your knowledge, skills and targeted connections via Twitter.
There are seven specific categories of Twitter users that I recommend you follow on Twitter to maximize your job search success:
- Experts, Top Bloggers & Thought Leaders: For example: David Meerman Scott @dmscott is a well known expert in Social Media Marketing, Jill Konrath @jillkonrath is a well known expert in Sales and Guy Kawaski @guykawaski is well known for his technology and entrepeneurial advice.
- Industry News Alerts & Industry Magazines: For example, technologists may want to follow CIO Magazine and fitness professionals may want to follow Fitness Magazine. (Check out this Magazine list on Twellow.)
- Recruiters: There are thousands of recruiters on Twitter, some working for specific companies and many working for independent staffing firms. For example, Peggy McFee, aka @salesrecruiter, is considered the “medical sales recruiter” and Harry Joiner, aka @ecommercejobs is an (you guessed it) ecommerce jobs recruiter.
- Job Boards: Every major job board, ex. Monster, Careerbuilder and many niche boards, ex. GreenJobs, Tweet on Twitter. Their content includes a mix of job search advice, info about events and specific job postings.
- Career Coaches: It’s amazing how much job search advice you can find on Twitter on topics that include interviewing, resumes, social media, career fairs, personal branding and much more. Some of the most popular career experts include: Alison Doyle from About.com, Susan Joyce of job-hunt.org and JT O’Donnel, founder of CareerRealism.com and, of course, Kevin Kermes, founder of Build the Career You Deserve.
- Alumni Associations: Most alumni associations have a presence on Twitter and provide a conduit to learn about networking and career related events, and may give you direct access to other Alumni in your area. Your Alma mater wants to help in your job search success.
- Companies: Hand picked by you- these may include companies you want to work for, Senior Leaders within a company you want to learn more about, ex. CEO or CMO, or even competitors of companies you’re targeting.
How do you find all these Twitter users? There are several different options: Leverage the Twitter “Find People” search function. Use Twitter search and enter job search related hashtags including #career, #jobs, #interview. (Click here to learn more about Hashtags.) Use directories like TweepSearch and Twellow. Use Twitter “who to follow” lists posted on TweepML and Twibes. And, you can Google “Top Twitter users to follow for XX” and insert the topic of your choice. Many bloggers have posted their recommendations for who to follow.
To make this process even easier for job seekers, J2B Marketing did extensive research on items 1 through 5 above and has created a series of Twitter Follower lists on TweepML. To learn more, simply click on the link next to the list description.
Jump start your marketing job search on Twitter by following this powerful mix of Marketing Recruiters, Marketing Industry Thought Leaders, Job Search & Branding Experts & Online Job Boards.
Jump start your sales job search on Twitter by following this powerful mix of Sales Recruiters, Sales Industry Gurus, Sales Trainers, Job Search & Branding Experts & Online Job Boards.
Jump start your Green job search on Twitter by following this powerful mix of Green Recruiters, Green News Tweets, Green Experts, Green Job Tweets, Career Experts & Online Job Boards. (Sustainable Energy, Clean Tech )
Jump start your Technology job search on Twitter by following this powerful mix of Tech Recruiters, Technology Thought Leaders, Tech Magazines, Job Search & Branding Experts & Online Job Boards.
Want to learn more? Marci is not only this week’s guest blogger, but my Subject Matter Expert (SME) Webinar for the Career Mastermind Group on January 19th. Her topic – “Twitter and Your Job Search: The Secrets to Harnessing this Tool for Maximum Success” Read more about how you can join this call and the Mastermind Group for free.
Marci Reynolds is the CEO of J2B Marketing, a “Job Seeker 2 Business”™ Internet Marketing & Online Copywriting Services Firm based in Boston, MA. She is also the author of the new ebook, “How To Use Twitter For Your Job Search” and the “social media for job search” expert blogger on the award winning website Job-Hunt.org. Previously, Marci was the VP, North America Sales Operations at Monster.com, the leading online careers website. Learn more at www.j2bmarketing.com, on Twitter @j2bmarketing.
