This recession is different. Well all recessions are different. However those that are seeking jobs have found news tools and new techniques in their job search. Social Networking sites such as Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Facebook are changing everything. This article will focus on Twitter and then I will visit the topics of LinkedIn and Facebook later.
Twitter:
Most of the job seekers I talk to know about Twitter but never thought of it as a tool for their job search. Most feel Twitter is all about following Megan Fox, Johnny Depp or your favorite sports team. However Twitter can be a powerful tool in your job search. In this case, Twitter is all about using the proper search techniques to find job postings.
Assuming you have a twitter account, the best way to search for jobs on Twitter is to simply use the search box to the right and middle of your Twitter “Home Page”. This search tool is very specific. “Job” and “Jobs” will produce different results, thus you need to search on both words. If we use “Job” as our example, “Job” will return any and all tweets with the word “Job” including any and all discussions that mention the word “job”. The results show a few jobs but mostly discussions therefore not the best results, but we can use “Hash Tags” to narrow the search.
Using “Hash Tags” in your search:
If you add “Hash Tags” to your search the results are much better. When I enter “#Job”, or “#Jobs”, the results returned are more favorable to a job seeker. Most of the fluff and conversations that use the word “Job” are gone and now I am seeing jobs! However I am seeing jobs all across the country and that may not be useful to someone looking for a job in Tennessee. When I add a state as a “Hash Tag”, such as #TN for Tennessee, I see jobs for Tennessee.
State Searches using “Hash Tags”:
There is real no standardization, and it is almost like a grass roots effort. Thus I suggest multiple searches. Try using the state’s the two letter abbreviation and the “Hash Tags” “#job” and “#jobs”. Some typical examples for searching jobs in Tennessee are as follows:
City Searches using “Hash Tags”:
You may also be able to search for jobs by city such as Denver, New York City, Atlanta, Phoenix and so on. However, some cities also have abbreviations. For example, New York City may also be NYC, so you will need to search for multiple combinations if the city has an abbreviation.
Skills and Hash Tags:
You can also search for a skill within a city or state or in general. Some tweets may have the skill listed as a “Hash Tag” while other will not. J2EE could be listed as J2EE or #J2EE. I suggest searching for both. A few examples:
Company Searches:
By using “Hash Tags” in your search you may find patterns to how companies post their jobs on Twitter and you may want to follow that company for future job tweets. The company I work for, TRIAD Consultants, actually has Twitter on our main page. When job seekers go to our website they will see that last four tweets, usually jobs, and can actually choose to follow TRIAD Consultants. For a good example check out www.triad-corp.com.
As I mentioned, each recession is different and in each recession new tools and techniques are developed for finding jobs. It is up to you, as a job seeker, to use the tools available. Try using Twitter and try multiple combinations of “Hash Tags”, cities and even skills.
Are you using Career Builder, Monster, Dice, Hot Jobs, and so on as part of your job search? http://polls.linkedin.com/p/66041/roibz
Twitter:
Most of the job seekers I talk to know about Twitter but never thought of it as a tool for their job search. Most feel Twitter is all about following Megan Fox, Johnny Depp or your favorite sports team. However Twitter can be a powerful tool in your job search. In this case, Twitter is all about using the proper search techniques to find job postings.
Assuming you have a twitter account, the best way to search for jobs on Twitter is to simply use the search box to the right and middle of your Twitter “Home Page”. This search tool is very specific. “Job” and “Jobs” will produce different results, thus you need to search on both words. If we use “Job” as our example, “Job” will return any and all tweets with the word “Job” including any and all discussions that mention the word “job”. The results show a few jobs but mostly discussions therefore not the best results, but we can use “Hash Tags” to narrow the search.
Using “Hash Tags” in your search:
If you add “Hash Tags” to your search the results are much better. When I enter “#Job”, or “#Jobs”, the results returned are more favorable to a job seeker. Most of the fluff and conversations that use the word “Job” are gone and now I am seeing jobs! However I am seeing jobs all across the country and that may not be useful to someone looking for a job in Tennessee. When I add a state as a “Hash Tag”, such as #TN for Tennessee, I see jobs for Tennessee.
State Searches using “Hash Tags”:
There is real no standardization, and it is almost like a grass roots effort. Thus I suggest multiple searches. Try using the state’s the two letter abbreviation and the “Hash Tags” “#job” and “#jobs”. Some typical examples for searching jobs in Tennessee are as follows:
- #TN #jobs
- #TN #job
- #TNjobs
- #TNjob
City Searches using “Hash Tags”:
You may also be able to search for jobs by city such as Denver, New York City, Atlanta, Phoenix and so on. However, some cities also have abbreviations. For example, New York City may also be NYC, so you will need to search for multiple combinations if the city has an abbreviation.
- #job NYC
- #job #NYC
- #job new york city
- #jobs NYC
- #jobs #NYC
- #jobs new york city
Skills and Hash Tags:
You can also search for a skill within a city or state or in general. Some tweets may have the skill listed as a “Hash Tag” while other will not. J2EE could be listed as J2EE or #J2EE. I suggest searching for both. A few examples:
- #job #Phoenix J2EE
- #Jobs #Phoenix #J2EE
- #Job J2EE
- #Jobs # J2EE
Company Searches:
By using “Hash Tags” in your search you may find patterns to how companies post their jobs on Twitter and you may want to follow that company for future job tweets. The company I work for, TRIAD Consultants, actually has Twitter on our main page. When job seekers go to our website they will see that last four tweets, usually jobs, and can actually choose to follow TRIAD Consultants. For a good example check out www.triad-corp.com.
As I mentioned, each recession is different and in each recession new tools and techniques are developed for finding jobs. It is up to you, as a job seeker, to use the tools available. Try using Twitter and try multiple combinations of “Hash Tags”, cities and even skills.
Happy job hunting!
Now I have to admit I am new to Twitter, and welcome comments and suggestions to help job seekers. Please email me at chas.bollow@yahoo.com
If you like what you are reading and want to read more, check out my eBook at www.blackholesresumesjobs.com/ Are you using Career Builder, Monster, Dice, Hot Jobs, and so on as part of your job search? http://polls.linkedin.com/p/66041/roibz
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