“5 Smart Ways to Use Twitter in Your Job Search” plus 1 more

5 Smart Ways to Use Twitter in Your Job Search

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 10:09 AM PST

Tim Tyrell-Smith

What's your experience on Twitter? If you're like many people, you created a Twitter name, hopped on, and then quickly hopped off, dismissing the social networking site as pointless, trivial, or hard to follow.

But it doesn't have to be that way. What if you heard Twitter could be a helpful tool to build social credibility during a job search? Or to help you establish a strong personal brand and become better known in your industry?

[See 10 Ways to Use Social Media in Your Job Search.]

Now would Twitter be worth your time?

To help you get started (or re-started) on the right foot, have a look at my simple daily checklist to successfully getting started on Twitter.

Then use Twitter for your job search in these five ways:

Follow influencers. Who are some of the biggest influencers in your industry? Search their name on Twitter and follow them. You can also try to search "their name + Twitter" in Google, a search tactic that's often more effective than Twitter's search.

Pay attention to what those influencers are saying and what they're sharing. And read these tips about why people follow on Twitter to improve your odds of them following you back.

Tweet your keywords. You'll want to tweet your own thoughts as well as re-tweeting or messaging others. So why not tweet your keywords? Keywords are single words or phrases used to attract people who are searching for those terms on Twitter. If you have key strengths or competencies on your resume, include those in your tweets. And add a hashtag to the beginning of a keyword (#strategy) so it's easier for people to find them (and you).

[See 5 Job-Hunting Ideas You Haven't Tried.]

Follow Target Companies. Have you identified at least 10 target companies for your job search? If not, do this first. Once you have them, follow those employers' Twitter accounts. Also follow key people working for each target company. Once you do, begin to share what they say through a re-tweet to your followers (which is similar to forwarding an e-mail). You can also send them a message (by placing an @ sign in front of their Twitter name) if you have something relevant and valuable to share.

Create lists. To categorize people you follow, create Twitter lists. That allows you to more easily watch what a specific group of people is saying. It also allows you to show some love to those people you listing. For example, create a list called "Great Companies in (your city)" or "Smart people in (your industry)". Everyone likes being listed, because it helps you build influence on Twitter.

[For more career advice, visit U.S. News Careers, or find us on Facebook or Twitter.]

Use a third-party application. Free applications will help you get the most out of Twitter. Through tools like Hootsuite or Tweetdeck, you can follow multiple conversations, see who is using certain keywords, and more easily follow those you've listed.

What smart ways have you used Twitter for your job search?

Tim Tyrell-Smith is founder of Tim's Strategy, a site that helps professionals succeed in job search, career and life strategy. Follow Tim on Twitter, @TimsStrategy, and share his 30 Ideas Book with job-seeking friends.

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Job searching by the numbers

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 06:21 AM PST

February 1, 2011, 5:41 AM PST

Takeaway: In this blog, we explain why an average network of contacts is inadequate for a job search

As we emerge from the recession amid a bit of evidence that hiring may be resuming, many people are entertaining the idea of finding a new job. Among them: Thousands of tech workers, considering ways to escape the overtime hours covering duties once performed by laid-off colleagues.

Most of these job searches will start with a personal network of family and close friends. Many will quickly end there because the average network is not large enough to sustain a job search.

250 - Number of people the average person knows

Most funeral directors and wedding planners believe the average person knows about 250 people. This sounds like a lot of folks to help you search for a new position but it contains many family members. While you should never discount anyone's ability to be a good contact, your background and heritage are big factors in determining the effectiveness of family contacts. If your family owns a business or includes an executive or two, they can certainly be helpful but for many job seekers, family members are better at providing emotional support than job referrals.

20/20 - Acquaintances make better contacts than close friends

This is a twist on the old "80/20″ rule that states 80 percent of your output comes from 20 percent of your efforts. That isn't quite true with networking because the first 20 percent of your network will have too many contacts in common with you and with each other. The second 20 percent could prove to be more helpful.

This was confirmed in 1973 when sociologist Mark Granovetter published, "The Strength of Weak Ties" in the American Journal of Sociology. His study of a random sample of job changers in a Boston suburb found that 56 percent got their job through a personal contact, confirming that networking is the way to a new job. But his key finding was that 84 percent of that group got their job through a contact they saw "occasionally" or "rarely." This revealed the need to seek job-hunting assistance from people other than your closest contacts, the "weak ties."

But 20 percent of 250 is still 50 people, no matter where they come from in the average person's database. Sales professionals can make up to 20 cold calls an hour but contacting people you know will result in longer call times as you "catch up" with people. Assuming five calls per hour and that you reach everyone on the first try, you would exhaust the existing "weak ties" in your network in about 10 hours.

25% - The introvert factor

One study using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator found 25% of computer professionals were introverted. Obtaining new contacts can be a challenge for introverts (and some extroverts as well). But former co-workers are one of the best sources of "weak ties" because of their prior relationship at a previous employer. It's easier to rekindle a relationship versus creating a new one and statistically more effective. Best to start tracking down some former cube mates and re-establishing yourself with them.

The numbers paradox

Remember networking is not all about numbers. There is art and craft involved. The art is knowing how to approach and engage people when you need them more than they need you. The craft is creating your "pitch" and your request for help. While a small network can be a challenge, a blunt or tacky plea for assistance won't help even when sent to a thousand people.

You really need only one contact to get a job. The one with the job opening that matches your resume. Creating more connections now will increase the probability that you'll get closer to a future target contact. Your best sources are those laid off co-workers you have been covering for the last few years.

John Sullivan is a working Project Manager who writes and speaks on project and career issues.

Job Search

Tuesday, February 1, 2011