Word Up! Wasssup! Tweetup?

There are phrases that might seem strange at first, but then quickly integrate themselves into our culture. Like back in 1986, you could probably sing along with Cameo and “tell your brother, your sister, and mama too. . . Word up!” Or maybe in 1999 you were “watchin’ the game, havin’ a bud” when “wasssup” went viral. Either way, I said these phrases and I’m sure you did too.

One phrase that definitely seemed strange to me at first was “Tweetup“. Urban Dictionary defines tweetup as: a group of friends on Twitter (social network) that are planning to meet up.

A few nights ago, I attended the #punkATL Tweetup, planned by Stephanie A. Lloyd, Laurie Ruettimann, and Todd Schnick. It was a great mix of recruiters, social media gurus, and HR professionals gathering to share stories and accomplishments of 2009.

For me, there is always a mixture of emotions going into Tweetups. I’m excited to finally meet in person, all those that I’ve begun building a relationship with via Twitter. But just like any networking event, there is always some anxiety about stepping out and mingling with folks I don’t know. No matter how “social” you are, that can be tough.

But if you’re a job seeker, I’m sure you’ve heard that “networking” is key. And using social media can be a huge advantage in your job search.

Running the MATRIX Twitter account, I’m constantly seeing individuals connecting with us who need a job. And I think “good for you,” you’re doing more than just submitting resumes on a career site, you’re getting your name out there, and using Twitter to find a job.

But it goes beyond just “following” someone on Twitter. You need to engage with them. Do your homework.

That’s why Tweetups can be so beneficial. You get to interact with individuals on Twitter (get to know them a little; gather some good talking points) before you actually meet them in person. Also, a Tweetup usually has a hash-tag associated with it like #punkATL. That way you can find out who’s attending and review their Twitter profile and photo, so that meeting them at the live event is much warmer than a cold introduction.

Remember, Twitter and other social media sites are a powerful tool for today’s job seekers, but there is no substitute for one-on-one networking. Get out there! Find your local Tweetups (or organize your own) and shake some hands, smile, and put a real face with an avatar.

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