Twitter
What do you see as the advantages and disadvantages of using Twitter as a form of micro résumé and networking?
I believe that adding Twitter into the industry for applying for jobs is unnecessary and unprofessional. I would never suggest one of my graduates to send a resume that way.
I think in general most employers I deal with think of Twitter as a social networking medium instead of professional. I believe if it was used appropriately and the graduate/student was careful for monitoring content, this would be an amazing asset; combining professional skill set with personal interests to give a well rounded look at each candidate.
Hi Kristine,
Your right - maintaining/updating marketing collateral becomes more difficult to manage when you are using digital media that is published online. This is why I teach students that they don't have to use every social tool out there but to choose the ones they can/will manage and keep current for career marketing purposes. There are automation tools to help maintain a presence and stay relevant. Tools such as Bufferapp, Hootsuite, and other social media management tools make managing one's social accounts easier. I also point out to students that while it may be more difficult to maintain, the truth is one should always be maintaining/updating their marketing collateral so this challenge can also act as a motivator to actually do it. Additionally, doing so helps develop and demonstrate valuable skill sets such as technical literacy, social media management, marketing and communications, all of which can enhance one's brand.
Robert Starks Jr.
The suggestion of utilizing Twitter to create a micro resume is a new but interesting idea to me. I've never used Twitter, but I feel like it's possible it could be a valuable tool. The challenge would be I think, to maintain a professional and creatively appealing resume. With all the distractions in our lives, attention spans appear to be getting shorter so short and powerful seems like a good idea.
Hi Vanessa,
Excellent observations! Thank you for sharing your detailed thoughts. I agree. Twitter is an excellent tool for curating education in a particular subject matter which contributes to one's own professional development. If we can only help more students understand this! Then, they could use Twitter with intent and for purposes beyond chatter!
Thanks again for sharing!
Robert Starks Jr.
As many have stated, the disadvantage of using Twitter is the limit of 140 characters per post. I don't see privacy as an issue, as such, at least when using Twitter professionally.
Here's why:
1. If one wants to reach a wide audience (for networking purposes), then one should target the widest audience possible (at least with Twitter). In much the same way an LinkedIn profile is set to public, so should a professional Twitter profile be.
2. Twitter allows one to follow people in the same profession (or a complimenting profession) and this allows a couple of things. Access to knowledge about one's field and also the ability to see other followers of the same types of accounts.
3. Twitter naturally lends itself to a great deal of interaction. This means that one could interact with people that one might have a hard time doing on another platform (without knowing them).
Another disadvantage is sort of in the same vein as the advantage. If one is on Twitter, one must be prepared to devote the time and effort to engage and interact with people who are following or who are being followed. People who use Twitter heavily expect that type of interaction.
Hi Jennifer,
I think many people feel Twitter is a social network only to be used for personal reasons. However, I would challenge this idea. Twitter has many professional development benefits. For instance, following experts allows one to build what is known as a PLN (Personal Learning Network). Learning from the content that other experts are producing and sharing allows an individual to engage in informal learning about topics of interest. Given the fact that recruiters use Twitter to recruit and companies use Twitter for branding, customer engagement, and to attract talent, Twitter has yet another professional use of engaging with, learning about, and connecting with companies/recruiters. A third example would be the opportunity to network with others in industries of interest which can lead to informational interviews, job opportunities, and more. The platform doesn't determine career benefits - the user is responsible for this. If those facts are not compelling enough to reconsider the position that Twitter should or can't be used as part of one's career marketing or professional development goals, I encourage you to take a look at this exceptionally creative way Twitter was used by a job seeker to brand and market themselves and ultimately land a job: http://vimeo.com/25812909.
Robert Starks Jr.
I don't see Twitter as being a professional form of communication.
The character limitation makes it difficult as well as the privacy. I feel it should be kept as a social media and not professional media.
The advantages of using Twitter is that it is the most used online application. Because the Twitter network is so great, it is easier to connect to others.
Hi Olivia,
I hear you about sharing opinions. I think the best thing to do is to be neutral and professional in expressing opinions. Whereas conviction is a good thing, it's how one communicates diplomatically that matters. I provided an example of a Twitter profile that demonstrates a passion for massage - take a look at this example as a case study if you will and you'll start to get more ideas on how one uses a Twitter profile to establish a brand: https://twitter.com/massagenerd.
Robert Starks Jr.
Hi Amber,
You hit the nail on the head. Over time, through consistency in communication and content published, students develop a brand. For instance, imagine a Twitter profile for a massage graduate who constantly posts about massage, wellness, and perhaps their own blog about the topic to demonstrate their knowledge and passion. An entire profile can either bolster one's brand or not - it depends on whether or not an individual decides to use the tool strategically for career-related benefits. The tools are never to be blamed for hurting or helping the individual - it's how they are used by the individual that matters. As an example, look at this person's Twitter account. They have done an excellence job of creating their brand - everything from their Twitter handle, the pictures on their profile, and the content they share screams, "I am passionate about massage." https://twitter.com/massagenerd.
Robert Starks Jr.
I completely agree on your pro and con of Twitter.
A con I could see is that in only 140 characters, how much can you really say. Also, if you have comments and posts on your opinions... they might not like your opinions or points of view on topics or issues.
But this con could also work in your favor as a pro, if they like your opinions.
I agree with both. Twitter could be a very useful marketing tool, but unfortunately too many people are more focused on keeping twitter as a social site rather than using it professionally so often times there are unprofessional comments and information left available.
I also feel that with Twitter, so much potential information is left un-presented- but I guess overtime as one builds a portfolio of posts the knowledge and intent of the individual could become apparent.
Using Twitter in this way allows for more networking among employers and also allows one to put forth some personal information that could intrigue potential employers. The disadvantage is that it does not allow for a complete professional profile so it's key to also have a professional resume and even a website to give employers more direct information that they will need in their recruiting efforts.
The advantages of using Twitter as a form of micro resume, in my opinion, would be the number of potential employers that would see your resume. The disadvantages could be that you do not have control over who is viewing the resume, as well as needing to be careful to keep personal and professional profiles separate. You would need to be careful, again, of what information you are including as part of your profile.
