Welcome back! In the last post I began to write about using Twitter as a job search tool, which means building your brand as an expert in your target field, providing useful information via your tweets, and following the right people (recruiters, employers, job search coaches, online career sites).
The idea behind that last post was to explain why Twitter is an effective job search tool; but, again, it depends on how you use it! It could work—it could not work—it’s really all up to you! If you did not catch the last post, please take some time to read it.
Assuming you know by now that Twitter is a micro blogging site, I will get right to getting started.
Really, Think Before Choosing Your UserName:
If you are using Twitter to job search, please use a professional Username. Perhaps your real name (you think!?) or at least a word associated with your target industry. For example, you could create something such as, Manager-marketing or Lucy_SalesAgent. The reasoning behind this strategic Username selection is that your Username will actually become the URL (uniform resource locator / web address) for your Twitter account and so you want your Username to have strong SEO (Search Engine Optimization).- First, you want to establish your presence and brand online as an expert so that you strengthen your candidacy for a new job. By using an industry-relevant URL / Username, you are beginning to do just that. When an employer searches your name in Google, your Twitter account will be produced with an industry keyword next to it ( e.g., sales, management, 3d Artist), lending even more credibility to your expertise.
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My Twitter account reads Rosa E. Vargas with the username (and keyword) "resumeservice." See below.
- Second, someone could stumble upon your Twitter account just by chance by searching for the industry keyword you have chosen as your Username (sales manager, operations manager, real estate agent in Denver)--why not strategize?
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To better understand why this would work, you would need to understand a bit about SEO and keywords, which is a very comprehensive topic. For now, just know that all the pages you create and publish online are visited, logged (cached), and saved forever by Search Engines and these pages are sorted, cataloged, and produced to internet users based on the words (keywords) found on your online page. A great post to read on this topic is 8 Twitter Power SEO Tips for Job Seekers by Susan P. Joyce.
- Third, those interested in following you on Twitter can make an informed decision and you want to inluence them to follow you. (It helps if your UserName is associate with a topic that interest them.)
Whatever You Do, Don’t Create an Unprofessional Username:
If you can’t think of any keyword or buzzword in your industry (highly doubtful since you are an expert) use Your First Name and Your Last Name. If your name is already taken by another Twitter user, add a number or a job title to your name. Keep it simple.
Side Note: Twitter will ask you for your Name and a Username. In this post we are discussing the Username. Please use your birth name when asked for your name, so that employers can find you when they google you. Control your online image.
In the next blog post we will discuss optimizing your Twitter bio so that employers, recruiters, and others in a position to help you can recognize you are job searching, identify the industry you are targeting, and understand why they should forward your information (resume or phone number) to decision makers.
As always, if you have any questions, please email me at rvargas@creatingprints.com
Rosa E. Vargas
Master Resume Writer
Jobsearch Consultant
CreatingPrints Resume Services
