Using Twitter In Your Job Search

The first thing any job seeker needs to do is have a strategy.  Identify the companies you want to work for, draw up a top 20 list and then follow the Twitter account for the companies that you want to work for. If your dream is to work for Facebook - you should follow @facebook. To find the Twitter account for a company, just go to Google and search for Company Name on Twitter. You may also want to narrow down your search, and find their careers feed on Twitter. There is often a separate careers/jobs twitter feed. For instance, you can follow @facebookjobs on Twitter to learn about job opportunities and job news from Facebook.

Other Twitter accounts to follow are people who work at a specific company you are interested in. A good tip is to follow the Recruitment Manager/s for as many companies as you can, and try and locate their Twitter page. The company recruitment page on their website may provide this information or LinkedIn.  Alternatively search Twitter for the person’s name on Twitter, and you will find the Twitter feed of the person that you are looking for. Twellow is a useful tool that offers a profile search of people on Twitter - so if you enter Facebook, you will be able to see people who have the keyword Facebook in their profile.  People will list the company they work for in their Twitter profile, so you can then begin to follow Recruitment/HR people working at the company you are interested in. And by following people at companies that interest you - you will give yourself a chance to be the first to know when these companies Tweet out job opportunities.

The other advantage to following companies and people who work for companies is that you can communicate directly with them. Either through a direct message or by mentioning them on Twitter, you can strike up a conversation so that you can stand out in the crowd. Building a network through Twitter can be a very effective strategy and many people aren't doing it aggressively, so it can help you to make a connection.

Companies want to hire employees whom have demonstrated a passion and interest in their company, so by following them on Twitter, you will show you have an interest.

Good Luck!