In 2008, my first impression of Twitter was that it was really kind of dumb and useless. It asked “What are you doing?” and many people obligingly (and boringly) answered this question – having a grande half-caf latte in Starbucks, watching a TV show, etc. Who cared? Very few. NOT me!
But, a friend convinced me to try it for a couple of days, and I discovered that I was very wrong about Twitter being dumb OR useless.
Twitter is excellent for many things and has opened a whole new online world for me:
- Sharing.
Find something interesting? Share/Tweet it. - Discovering.
Read what others Tweet, and you’ll find that they are sharing interesting information. Eventually you’ll find people who Tweet content so useful you always check to see what they’re Tweeting about. - Learning.
Usually when I discover something, I learn something, too. - Growing your network.
I’ve met wonderful people from across the USA and across the globe, many of whom I consider friends. FABULOUS! - Reaching out for help or information.
Tweet your question, and people will answer. Some will answer with a joke or a snide comment, but many will answer the question (in 140 characters). - Providing help or information.
If someone asks for help or information you can provide, provide it. Good for your karma, and your credibility. A 2-fer!
| Sponsor: | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Starting in mid-November, 2009, Twitter replaced “What are you doing?” with “What’s happening?” – really the question most people were answering anyway, at least the people that I follow.
I’ve been using and greatly enjoying Twitter since Dec. 19, 2008. I must admit to being surprised how addictive it is.
Bottom Line
Try it. Twitter works! And employers are on Twitter, too. Check out @JobHuntOrg’s list of employers recruiting, recruiters and recruiting, job search experts, career coaches, professional resume writers, and other Social Media & Job Search articles and resources.
About the author …
Online job search expert Susan P. Joyce has been observing the online job search world and teaching online job search skills since 1995. Susan is a two-time layoff “graduate” who has worked in human resources at Harvard University and in a compensation consulting firm. In 1998, her company, NETability, Inc. purchased Job-Hunt.org, and Susan has been editor and publisher of Job-Hunt since then. Follow Susan on Twitter @JobHuntOrg.
Email This Post
Loading ...
[...] Why Twitter Works More from the Job Search News Blog [...]
Great post Susan! I am a huge proponent of using Twitter for your job search, for business and for professional development.
When you first use Twitter it can be overwhelming, but after a few weeks you get in a rhythm and it starts to make more sense. I recommend that everyone sets up an account and tries it.
Best,
Marci Reynolds
Thanks, Marci! I think Twitter is becoming easier to get into than it was even 6 months ago. Lists and ReTweets are so much easier now than 3 months ago. Hopefully, future Twitter enhancements will be as useful.