Last week, my post featured a short video by my friend the Recruiting Animal about how to stand out on Twitter.  This week I thought I would go more in depth about how Twitter can be used in your job search.

Being in the job search is tough, and as a job seeker you are not alone (especially with the more than 15 million who are out of work and in the job hunt).  People don’t always prepare adequately for the job search, although they should be giving themselves a solid six months to get everything in order before they can expect results.  This provides the opportunity to grow and build your network using  both traditional (face to face networking) and non-traditional methods (social media networking).  Keep in mind that this can all be done while you’re still employed.  Don’t wait until you’re actively looking to build your network!

One non-traditional networking tool is Twitter.  Think of Twitter as a virtual cocktail party with more than 27 million people in attendance.  Like any traditional cocktail party or networking event, there are conversations (known as your twitter stream) that happen all around you.  Twitter is no different.  If your goals for Twitter are primarily business-based, it is extremely important to selectively join and be present for key conversations among decision makers or influencers in the industry in which you are looking for work.

These tips will help you turn Twitter into the ultimate networking tool:

• Follow People. Following others and retweeting or reposting their tweets is a great way to begin to build a relationship.  Use Twitter directories which are essentially online yellow pages to search for influencers in your target industry, location, or by keyword like Twellow, and We Follow.  Here are 15 more great Twitter directory sites courtesy of Mashable.

• SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Be found by making sure to include keywords that are searched by recruiters and hiring managers in your Twitter bio.  Consider words including industry specific software programs, certifications, and words that are repeatedly listed in job board advertisements.  Recruiters use keywords within your tweets and your bio to find you.  Make it easy to be found including key words and a link to your blog or profile.

• Hash Tags (#). Hash tags are used in Twitter as a way to sort and search by topic.  Some common hash tags for job seekers including #jobs, #jobhuntchat, #jobsearch, and #jobadvice.  Using your iGoogle account, you can set up an RSS feed of common keywords and hash tags in Twitter Search.  Setting up your RSS feed is a great time saving tip!

• Find Recruiters. I almost always suggest that job seekers take an aggressive approach to their job search.  Just as recruiters source and search for you, job seekers can seek out and connect with recruiters, human resource professionals, or hiring managers using social media search tools.  Twitter directories are a great start, but there are more advanced tools like Follower Wonk and Twitter Search which can help you further focus your search.  Both of these offer advanced search options, allowing you to search by keyword and even zip code.  Follow Wonk provides advanced bio search options.

• Building Relationships. Chris Brogan provides a crude yet effective example of social media networking and how to build relationships.  He likens immediately asking for a job or sale just after meeting someone to sticking your tongue down someone’s throat just after meeting them.  Basically, don’t ask for the sale until you have an established relationship.  Social media is undoubtedly a great way to connect, but can be somewhat superficial.  Networking takes time!  Make sure you establish a meaningful relationship with someone before asking them to help you.

Jessica Miller-Merrell, SPHR is an author, new mother, and human resources professional with a passion for recruiting and all things social media.  She has over 10 years of experience in human resources & recruiting.

Her company, Xceptional HR provides businesses with social media, recruitment, and human resources strategy and consulting.   Jessica’s book, Tweet This! Twitter for Business was released January 2010.  Follow Jessica on Twitter, LinkedIn, & FaceBook.

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This YouTube video by my friend, @animal about how to get popular on Twitter has some very good points, but the best point of all is painfully obvious. You have to be original in order to stand out. Recruiting Animal is well-known in the recruiting industry because of his brash sense of humor. He is quick to provide extremely honest feedback even if it hurts. People in the industry have come to expect his zaniness, and respect the Recruiting Animal for his individuality.

The video begs the question–what’ s your online differentiation strategy? Is it working?

Photo Credit Kamran Web.

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London is an amazing city known for its nightlife, hospitality, and the Queen of England, but what you might not be aware of is the social media connectivity throughout the city and among the business professionals who call it home.  I recently had the pleasure of visiting London on a week long trip to speak at and attend a recruiting “unconference.”  While I was there, I did quite a bit of wandering and quickly realized that how you experience and navigate a city is just like your social media strategy as a business professional.  I found that these steps apply equally to both endeavors:

1. Research,  Research,  Research. Any time I visit a foreign country, I do my research.  I pick up my copy of Fodor’s, just as I recommend that new users to social media visit blogs, read books (like mine), and attend presentations.  Your social media strategy should be no different.  Learning and understanding the environment is essential to maintaining focus and enjoying the city, its transportation, and your overall goal.
2. Focus. Wandering but with a purpose.  Like my SM strategy, I knew and understood my overall goal during my downtime in London.  I picked a general direction and with my map in hand set out to see the sights including Big Ben and the Tate Museum, and mingled with the tourists and locals soaking in the culture, the moment, and the experience.
3. Transportation. Part of your social media strategy should be understanding how to leverage third party applications like TweetDeck, Hootsuite, Ping, and Social Oomph just as you would when using taxis, the Tube, and trains throughout London.  The cost associated with transportation like a cab versus the Tube (underground subway) varies depending on how quickly you wish to reach your destination.  Social media tools like Tweet Adder and Radian6 are no different.
4. Engagement. Visiting London is all about the people, the places, and the culture.  Joining the conversation among new friends is just as easy as walking to the corner pub and chatting with the locals.  These locals are more than willing to share tips, suggestions, and little known places that they enjoy by taking a vested interested in getting to know them, their family, and their friends.   My social media connections were invaluable on my trip.  Upon my departure, I was able to leverage them and learn what terminal I needed to be dropped off at, saving me a ton of cash and valuable time.  My friend Laurie Ruettimann used her network after falling victim to a professional thief in London while also attending the conference.
5. Understand the Risks. Visiting London doesn’t come without risk.  As an outsider it is easy to fall victim to scams, theft, or other unforeseen circumstances.  Keep your purse, technology, and passwords close.  Same goes for your passport and credit cards.  Don’t follow every direct message or trust every local just because.  Use your judgment and follow your gut.  Visiting London is all about the journey and sometimes that comes with some roadblocks along the way.
6. Document Everything. Everyone talks of Social Media ROI these days but has anyone every stopped to ask about the ROI on your overseas visit or your trip to see Buckingham Palace?  No.  Take pictures, capture the moment, and be enthusiastic.  In some cases, passion trumps ROI.  Isn’t that what traveling is all about?

Photo Credit Top News.

Jessica Miller-Merrell, SPHR is an author, new mother, and human resources professional with a passion for recruiting and all things social media.  She has over 10 years of experience in human resources & recruiting.

Her company, Xceptional HR provides businesses with social media, recruitment, and human resources strategy and consulting.   Jessica’s book, Tweet This! Twitter for Business was released January 2010.  Follow Jessica on Twitter, LinkedIn, & FaceBook.

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Job seekers can now add Botox to the job search checklist just after resume, LinkedIn profile, and cover letter. In an increasingly youth-obsessed culture, job seekers look to physical enhancements to appear more confident and youthful in the job search. These enhancements vary from hair coloring to weight loss, Botox, and even plastic surgery.

Job seekers are becoming more conscious of ways to differentiate themselves from other candidates beyond experience and qualifications.  Making an impression requires more than a solid resume and experience.  It’s the total package and looking the part in person to support the personal brand you have worked hard to develop is extremely important.

Oklahoma City salon owner Greg Welchel has seen an increase in job seekers who are willing to spend money on haircuts, highlights, and even waxing to gain a competitive edge. “Job seekers want to look and feel professional,” says Welchel. “And our salon can help them do that.”

And even with the Stock Market creeping above the 10,000 mark, job seekers have yet to feel a measurable impact in the job market.  And for those who are collecting unemployment,  which dropped from 10% to 9.7% in January 2010, the expense associated with these cosmetic enhancements is a concern.

Aside from more traditional salon procedures, Botox has also been a popular and inexpensive choice for job seekers to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines that can give hiring managers and recruiters an indication of a candidate’s age. Although age discrimination is illegal, it is still a concern for candidates who are looking to increase their confidence and appear more healthy and vibrant.

Spas like Body Trends have also seen an increase in Botox and their VIP treatments that improve the appearance of cellulite, stretch marks, scars, wrinkles, and even varicose veins. Body Trends offers Botox injections for as little as $300.00 per treatment.  VIP treatment and other packages vary in price but are an effective alternative to more expensive plastic surgery.

Harvey Jenkins, the salon’s owner, says, “Everyone’s looking for even the smallest thing to stand out in an interview. You can’t change your experience or your skills quickly, but you can look better, and that could be the difference in landing a new position.”

This focus on age and youthful appearance by companies and hiring managers is also a concern for government agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. For the fiscal year 2008, they reported 24,582 age related charges filed accounting for more than 25% of all charges filed. Once the 2009 data is made available, job seekers, companies, and the government will have a better indication of how much age discrimination has increased or decreased in the job market and the most recent economic recession.

What are you doing to give yourself an edge?  Does this resonate with you guys, or does it seem way over the top?  I’d love to hear what you all think!

Jessica Miller-Merrell, SPHR is an author, new mother, and human resources professional with a passion for recruiting and all things social media.  She has over 10 years of experience in human resources & recruiting.

Her company, Xceptional HR provides businesses with social media, recruitment, and human resources strategy and consulting.   Jessica’s book, Tweet This! Twitter for Business was released January 2010.  Follow Jessica on Twitter, LinkedIn, & FaceBook.

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