What Happens on Twitter Stays . . . Everywhere.

I don’t think people actually realize that what happens on Twitter can hang around like an unwelcome in-law (none of mine of course, I love all mine). If you are looking for a job, or just want to KEEP the job you have, think twice, and maybe three times about what you tweet. Social media can be a very powerful tool for finding a job, gathering information, and networking. However, it can royally mess up your career, or land you in court, if you don’t use common sense when updating.

Below are actual tweets I found by doing a few simple searches on Twitter:

1. So since my boss is a #$%*@, I have today off and may get fired tomorrow.
2. En route to work…still drunk
3. So I came to work this morning w/ my shirt inside out, my hair a mess, and kinda drunk. . .
4. From the moment I got into work today, all I’ve wanted to do is get drunk…
5. I hate my job, boss and schedule.
6. People are stupid. I hate them. My boss just walked in. I hate him too.
7. I hate when my boss trys to wear feminine color polish on her manly @*$ hands!!!!
8. One of my coworkers will realize that smell is actually his breath….
9. So according to my coworkers my new shampoo and conditioner makes me smell like im drunk? Haha how does that work?
10. Got drunk as hell last night….at work bout to pass out
11. At work but not working, wassup wit u
12. I’m having a fantastic time not working at work, lol.

Though I got a good laugh out of some of the tweets, especially number 7, I couldn’t help but think of what might happen to these people if someone in their organization saw their tweet.

I don’t mean to “scare” you so you never use social media. It’s a great tool. But just re-think that status update or tweet before you hit publish.

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My Interview with “The Job Stalker”

Through a series of Twitter interactions I met Brendan Tripp, a marketing and communications professional in the Chicago area. Brendan writes a regular blog series titled “The Job Stalker” where he shares helpful resources about for those that are looking for a job.

Recently, Brendan highlighted MATRIX as a company job seekers should get to know on Twitter. And for those that don’t know I am the “voice behind the M.” You can read the full interview where we discuss the job market, social media, and networking here:

http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/job-stalker/2010/08/some-other-folks-on-twitter.html

Using Twitter to Find a Job – A Real Life Example

In previous posts I have told you how you can build great relationships via Twitter. Also, Craig Fisher wrote about the “cool kids” that are using Twitter and other social media outlets to network. Now, I want to give you a real example of how Ben McCormack, a new MATRIX consultant, used Twitter to find a job.

I spoke with Ben a few days ago, and asked him to walk me through the job-search process he used on Twitter.

Did you join Twitter intending to look for a job?
I joined twitter about 8 months ago to start following experts in the Microsoft .NET Silverlight space. I noticed there were many industry experts on Twitter so I figured it could be a great tool to gain knowledge of a specific subject. I started following a guy by the name of Joel Spolsky. One day, I noticed a tweet that they were hiring a Support Engineer in New York. So I responded to the tweet and actually got a job interview. Though, I didn’t get that specific job, it made me realize that Twitter really can be a powerful tool in a job search.

How did you find your new job on Twitter?

Like I said, I wasn’t actively “looking for a job.” But, one day I noticed that one of your recruiters, Kelly Thielemann, started following me. I looked at her profile information and saw that she was a Technical Recruiter in the Atlanta area. I read through the information she was sharing on Twitter, and I liked it, so I decided to start following her.

A few days later, she sent out a job that she was looking to fill. It sounded interesting to me so I went ahead and responded to her. From there, MATRIX took care of the rest.

How often did you check Twitter for updates?
I use a desktop application called TweetDeck to arrange and organize my Twitter account. I stayed of top of the information that was being shared daily – usually every evening.

What I like about Twitter is you can be close enough to see what’s going on, but you are not obligated to respond.

Do you think Twitter is a powerful tool in a job search?
Yes. Definitely. Again, you can keep a pulse on what is going on in and around the “technical community.” My e-mail wasn’t clogged with “suggested jobs” and I didn’t have to browse through jobs on a career site.

Now, I know that Ben’s story sounds easy. And, not everyone will be followed by a Technical Recruiter in the exact city where they are looking for a job.

So, you need to be proactive and, just as Ben did, follow experts that are in your field. Run searches using TweepSearch.com or Search.Twitter.com to find specific people or conversations. You can also find numerous articles about using Twitter to find a job.

The point is, Twitter really does work in a job search.

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.

E-mail still #1 Choice for Gen X and Y

A recent poll put out by eMarketer.com shows that even though there is a ton of buzz right now with social media sites, Gen Y still sees e-mail as the most critical medium for messages.

According to the results, 26% of the responders (all between the ages of 18-24) could NOT give up e-mail or texting for one week.

Sparked by curiosity as to what my group of Gen X* connections thought, I put out my own poll asking a similar question. Hands down e-mail was the clear choice of necessity. Interestingly TV was a close second “need to have” while text messaging 4th of the list.

I think a statement by Michael Della Penna, PMN Co-founder and Executive chairman, sums it up nicely:

“As long as email remains the collection point for social networking updates, including alerts around new followers, discussion updates and friend requests, it will remain a powerful force in marketing and our lives.”

What are your thoughts?

*Generation X was defined by birth years according to amazon.com

 

“The Matt Cheek”

So many people today are looking for a job. So I recently asked Matt Cheek, an Account Manager at MATRIX, to share a few tips to help job seekers make the most of their time. Below is a short video with his top three resume tips, and the best ways to find a job, fast!