On Twitter I mostly RT job openings as well as other information for myself and other job hunters. On this morning, I was sitting at my desk tweeting as I do almost every morning since getting my account, when my TweetDeck started responding slowly. Then it froze. When I tried to restart it it was gone.
I have been tweeting jobs since mid-June after a less than positive experience that I had with an employment agency. It was clear that I needed to identity other ways to find a job.
Then I remembered, I'm a research person. I should try to put my research skills to work to help me to find jobs on Twitter. I started my search and not only did I find employment tweets I found career coaches and other helpful people all sharing tips and suggestions. There were resume writers, expert bloggers, graphic designers, webinars for new skills, the place was just a wealth of information and suggestions. Best of all there was something that almost every job seeker really needs - support.
I immediately knew that I had found more information than I could use. So, I started searching for and following other unemployed people on twitter and they started to follow me back and before you know it I had a community comprised of job seekers, employers, job coaches, resume writers and cheerleaders. Most of them have been with me since I got the account. I know their avatars, I know their online personalities, I know who is quick to joke and quick to cry. I know when some of my followers are down and when they are are up. With my twitter account I went from one person sitting alone at home with my computer sending out resumes to a person with 700+ friends sitting with me in my home while I sent out resumes.
Loneliness, one of the worst aspects of the job search was gone. I had the ability to vent, share, celebrate, laugh, gossip, console and agree and disagree in my home. It actually made my home feel like an office because of the different personalities and human interaction.
Then suddenly they were gone not just for a few minutes but for hours and I was alone again with my resume. I had to go out for an interview later and I wanted some suggestions because I did not want to blow it. I had had several interviews that went well but I'd failed to close-the-deal. I was in need of some suggestions on how to close the deal. However, my tweeple were gone and I had to go it alone. Following the interview, I knew that it was just like the others I had gotten along with the interviewer they seemed to really like me but no deal.
When I returned home I checked my Twitter account and my tweeple were back. I sent a DM to one of my Twitter friends asking if they were on line. I told them what happened and was given some good advice and great words of encouragement. Then another tweeter came online and I discussed my issues we went over some interviewing tips.
If you are only using Twitter to sell your wares or have an account that you don't use just to say that you have a twitter account, you're missing out. Try using it for it's intended purpose to connect with others and share.
Below are tweeters with good advice and suggestions for the job search:
@LindaNoland
@onlineresume
@AndyInNaples
