As a PR student or young professional, it is critically important for you to understand the impact social media can have in a tight job market. One of the easiest ways to differentiate yourself from your job-seeking peers is to effectively use Twitter.
Creative job seekers increasingly are using Twitter to land their dream jobs. For college students working towards a degree in communications, Twitter isn’t just a fun way to connect, it’s actually an audition platform. What better way to show your Web 2.0 marketing skills than by marketing yourself? Here are five tips for using the power of Twitter to get the perfect PR job.
- Clean up your feed. Twitpics of you at that wild party last night and embarrassing Tweets don’t impress prospective employers, who are, indeed, checking your social media presence.
- Follow the leaders. The top PR firms, both locally and across the country, all have feeds. Follow them in order to get a thorough understanding of the industry.
- Retweet every day. The best way to keep your name out there – and to flatter your future employers – is to retweet the content they’re tweeting. Add your own comments when appropriate.
- Tweet for the job you want, not the job you have. Tweet like the industry pro you wish to become, not like a college kid. Your commentary will draw attention. Talking about how you dislike your professor or the latest machinations on “The Bachelor” will not.
- Network: Perform 360 assessments of your follows and followers. Odds are you need more industry pros, recruiters and other insiders. And don’t forget family members.
There are many ways to leverage the power of Twitter and other social media in a job search, especially for PR students and recent grads. Tweet like a true public relations pro whose job it is to promote one product: You.
While you’re at it, follow me @Culpwrit.
Thank you for this post. As a college senior with a lackluster Twitter feed, I was recently encouraged by my professor to live by the same principles you discuss. Specifically, your fourth tip, “Tweet for the job you want, not the job you have,” struck me. Although I am not a PR professional yet, I want to establish myself in the industry without feeling out of place. By tweeting like a respected pro instead of like a college kid, I will feel confident commenting my opinions.
You’re on your way, Christine. Will look forward to following your tweets and eventual news of your first career move.