Is Twitter Worth Your Time?

We’ve all heard of Twitter.  Like a Kardashian, it’s hard to avoid no matter how hard you try.  Even if you had managed to remain blissfully unaware of one of the largest social media platforms on the planet, Charlie Sheen’s Twitter publicized meltdown probably took care of that.  Twitter is big.  Really, really big.  But is it worth your time when you’re looking for your next job?

Twitter used to be known for meaningless updates made by self centered people who thought everyone needed to know what they just had for lunch.  Those people are still there, but it’s really easy to avoid them.  Just don’t follow them.  See?  Super easy.  But what about the people on Twitter that actually have something relevant to say?  And more importantly, what about the people who have something important to share that could help your job search?

It’s less common for a company to not have a Twitter account than to have one.  Even my smallish company, Career Dragon, has a Twitter account.  When you’re out looking for a job or even just trying to figure out where you’d like to work, these company accounts are great to follow.  They post news and info about the company and frequently add links to articles relevant to professionals in their industry.  Sometimes, their hiring managers will even post job openings.  

A great way to get noticed by the company you want to work for is to follow them on Twitter.  The culture of Twitter is that you can follow anyone and anyone can follow you.  You don’t have to ask permission or wait to be accepted.  Twitter is kind of easy that way.  Once you’re following a company, respond to their posts.  Engage in conversation, tell them what you liked about an article they posted a link to, or tell them your opinion of it.  You know, as long as you’re being nice.  Don’t be a jerk even if you disagreed with it.  No one hires a jerk.

Some recent advice to hiring managers from one of the writers at the Harvard Business Review Blog Network is to not post job openings at all.  Not anywhere.  But rather, to go on the company Twitter account and see who’s following.  Take a look at the engagement and find the next job candidate there.  Read the article.  Knowing what advice is being given to hiring managers tells you how to be what they’re looking for.  

Give Twitter a shot.  You never know, it might land you your next job.  Just don’t post about your lunch.  No one cares.  Seriously.