You Are What You Tweet: Twitter Etiquette for Job Seekers

The following post is part two of my Twitter etiquette series. In case you missed my first post, “you are who you tweet”, you may find it here.

You Are What You Tweet: Twitter Etiquette  for Job Seekers

Are you a job seeker in this competitive market? Know that those in the recruitment office may Google your name and proceed to check out your twitter account, blog, and even your Youtube channel.  Facebook is a discussion for another day (what others can see depends on your privacy settings), but let’s talk Twitter. First, know that your tweets are visible to anyone who visits your Twitter page, unless you’ve protected your tweets.  What are your tweets saying about you, and the kind of employee you will make?

Twitter etiquette tip #1:
Does it pass the boss test? Before you send a tweet, ask yourself if it’s something you wouldn’t mind your (future) boss reading.

Twitter etiquette tip #2:
Tweet with a clean mouth.  Especially if you’re seeking employment, it’s important to maintain a professional image.  That means avoiding profanity as you tweet.

Twitter etiquette tip #3:
No ranting.  Refrain from sharing how furious you are with the Twitterverse.  If you have a legitimate customer complaint to share with a company, be sure to tweet them in a respectful manner, and ask yourself if may be better handled elsewhere.

Twitter etiquette tip #4:
Mind your time. Since many of us take Twitter with us (via our mobile devices), it’s convenient to tweet day in and day out.  But, what message are you sending a potential employer if it looks as though you truly spend your entire day tweeting? Use your good judgment to know how much is enough.

Twitter etiquette tip #5:
Evaluate your Twitter image.  Is your bio photo professional? Select a photo that would make sense for a site like LinkedIn.  No suggestive photos of yourself, in Las Vegas, dancing with a Chippendale dancer.  Your twitter bio should represent you, as well.

Twitter etiquette tip #6:
Mind your site URL. What about the website URL that you share in your bio? Are you sending people to your blog, website, or Facebook page? Know that your potential employer will likely visit that site as well, so take a careful analysis of that space.

Twitter etiquette for job seekers is really quite simple, minding what you say will help contribute to a positive online image. This is especially important for job seekers, but is something all of us could benefit from! Best of luck in your job search, and remember to use  your twitter etiquette tips with confidence!