Use this quick guide to learn how to get started with job seeking on Twitter from the basics up. Get tips and advice on: • How to position your professional persona on Twitter • How to demonstrate your suitability for a job online • How to build up a network and engage meaningfully • Which sites and tools are best for job searching

1. A Quick Guide to Job Searches Twitter using Mala Bhargava, Editorial Director, Mindworks Global mindworksglobal.com

2. Seek Engage 1 3 Search A massively growing number of companies and experts are on Twitter. Get the search tips you need to get you going. ConversationsLearn the rules of engagement, Twitter etiquette and how to develop a network of people who share your involvement with a professional field. Show 2 Presence Contribute to the online community that makes up your field of interest. Learn how to tweet with substance.

3. Get on Twitter Your account If you want “tweeple” to trust and engage with you, get your own name or something that sounds credible Your photo Prefer using your photo to an anonymous avatar as it comes across as honest, real and more trustable. Your profile Write a good profile within the word limit. Make every word count so that you’re more easily found on searches and added to lists on which you'd like to be. Add your website or blog to show your work.

4. What do you want? Tips It may sound like a stupid question. Are you quite sure of what you’re looking for? Or are you just taking your chances with whatever comes along? Potential employers will look for someone who is sure and focused. Let what you want to do come across strongly in your page and updates. Separate personal and job-seeking accounts. Be sure you know what professional field you want to explore. Don’t go in with a “tell me what to do” approach. Stick to a single job pitch at a time Get properly clued in about the area you’re interested in. People will give you a job because you seem to fit the requirement.

5. Your page Tips Twitter allows you to use background designs to decorate your page, but before you pick up a flowery or overly embellished image, check whether this is in sync with the persona you want to project professionally. You can even create your own informative background in a graphics programme. Use your name as the id. If you don’t manage to get that, find whatever is closest. Use your own photograph – a pleasant but professional one. Avoid grim passport shots. Make your job pitch as specific as possible and avoid general skills such as “hard working”. Move beyond the clichéd “want to join an organization where I can grow and contribute my best.” Use information to distinguish yourself from others; substantiate your attributes with facts

6. Seek People you know Start with a few names you know and add them to your list to follow. Make sure you tweet something useful before you start to add people. Avoid the “just figuring out Twitter” kind of update – it doesn’t help anyone. Companies you like Make a list of companies and employers you’re interested in finding employment with and start following them. See what they like to talk about. Check on the news and happenings there. Experts you admire Identify people in your field of interest that you would like to learn from. Don’t barge into interaction: wait and observe for a while . Avoid adding to your list too many people who just come up with old sayings and one-liners.

7. Seek Hashtags.. Or this # little signA # is a way of grouping tweets around subjects In Twitter’s search box, type in # and terms like jobs, hire, careers, work etc. Look for hashtags for specific companies eg #mindworksjobs and see new job postings. Look for hashtags by profession or subject Here’s a list of 100 job related hashtagshttp://www.careerrocketeer.com/2009/09/top-100-job-search-hashtags-on-twitter.html

8. Show Tips Show, but don’t show off. Your job seeker’s Twitter account is the space you have to shape potential employers’ perception of you. Choose carefully what you tweet about and make it relevant and useful to those in the profession you are looking to enter. Be professional in your tweets. Don’t waste characters or use vague or frivolous tweets – not in this account. Don’t over-tweet and end up flooding the timeline of whoever happens to follow you Tweet and Retweet interesting news or articles in your field but avoid tweeting whatever is obvious and overdone. Link to your work, resume, LinkedIn profile, etc in relevant tweets State the kind of work you are looking for Scan others’ tweets to see how it’s done in your field of interest.

9. Show Tips Don’t tweet the day long just because you can. Tweet a few times, but with more useful information interspersed with direct job seeking statements. Overall, the fact that you know a lot about your field should come through but without your sounding opinionated or unwilling to learn. If you have a blog or can start one, write on subjects that are relevant to your job search and post links on Twitter. Tweet with specifics, not “my next post” or “Check this out”. Specifics are powerful and inform even when someone does not click the link. Be sure to shorten unwieldy URLs with services such as like bit.ly or tinyurl.com Stick to a narrow band of topics so that you can deepen your expertise and present updates knowledgeably.

10. Engage Re-tweet Nothing in social media is one-way. When you see links or comments that you think are intelligent and knowledgeable, re-tweet them. Comment on them or discuss them with the poster. Use as conversation starters. Converse Without being intrusive, start or join conversations on topics that you are interested in. Ask questions. Connect with people working with companies you may be interested in, but don’t spread it across too many. Help Assisting others with something you are able to, is one good way to engage, widen your network and show your expertise on a subject. Some job groups encourage job seekers to even help other job seekers if they can.

11. Helpful tools and sites Twitjobsearch.com lets you tailor your search by location, profession and some companies. The site also makes it easy to access information from job boards. Job news and a blog on what’s new in job searching is also available. For example, you can find out about doing interviews on Skype.

12. Helpful tools and sites Tweetdeck.com has a directory of people on Twitter by profession. This is a good starting point to build a list of people you could follow. You can, of course, also build further lists by selecting from among those they follow.

13. Helpful tools and sites Mashable.com is a site any social media user should keep in touch with. Full of advice and tips on Twitter and other sites, it is fast becoming the bible of social media. There are also lists and directories to check here.

14. Mindworks Global, a pioneer in editorial services for newspapers and magazines across the world, is seeking specialist writers and editors in India for a new online venture. For details, log in to http://mindworksglobal.com/careers.html Follow our job updates on Twitter @mindworksjobs