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How to Land a Tech Job with Twitter in 5 Steps

  • Follow Big Names in Tech
  • Tweet and Retweet Regularly
  • Build a Brand
  • Search Hashtags
  • Optimize Profile and Share Links

The number of jobs in technology is increasing but so is the competition for these positions, so job-seekers are using every means available to make a name for themselves including finding a tech job with Twitter. According to Forbes, nine out of ten recruiters utilize social media to discover candidates and over three-fourths have offered a job on this site. Twitter has more job postings than any other social media site, especially for technology-related fields. The list below includes tips for finding a job on this platform.

1. Follow Big Names in Tech

There are some Twitter accounts specifically designed as tech job boards with regular updates. These include TechFetch (@techfetch), Tech Jobs (@TechJobsDirect), and GitHub Jobs (@GitHubJobs). Along with following these pages, job-seekers need to identify their ideal job and follow people in similar positions. It can be helpful to make a list of ideal tech companies for one’s situation and follow the hiring manager and a few other employees of each.

2. Tweet and Retweet Regularly

Simply joining Twitter is not enough to help with a job search, individuals need to participate in industry-relevant conversations. It is important to maintain a balance between promoting oneself and helping promote others through tweeting and retweeting. When looking for a tech job on Twitter, tweets need to be more than off-the-cuff observations. Posting thoughtful analysis on current tech trends and asking smart questions helps a job-seeker stand out among others candidates. Over time, with daily tweeting, a newbie can become known as an expert in a certain area of tech.

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3. Build a Brand

By establishing a presence on Twitter, job-seekers are marketing themselves. While employers are looking for skilled professionals, they are also evaluating a candidate’s personality to determine whether he or she is a good fit overall for the company. Sprinkling in tweets about other interests and hobbies among industry tweets demonstrates a well-rounded, balanced life and helps a job-seeker seem more like a familiar face than just another applicant. The branding process needs to start as early as possible and continue throughout one’s career, not just when looking for a job.

4. Search Hashtags

Hashtags are a valuable tool when finding a tech job. Many recruiters use tags like #techjobs, #devjobs, and #AppDev when posting about openings. Combining hashtags like #joblisting, #jobposting, or #nowhiring with certain programming languages or job titles including #Ruby, #PHP, #iOS, or #UX can expose a job-seeker to lesser-known companies with available opportunities.

5. Optimize Profile and Share Links

When starting an initial Twitter account or when transitioning a personal account to a professional one, it is important that all sections of the profile are filled out completely. A profile picture needs to accurately represent the person, and generally, this is not the place for a cartoon or a photo of a pet. Finally, at every opportunity, both in the profile and periodically in tweets, it is beneficial to share links to other social media profiles like LinkedIn, a personal website, and GitHub repositories.

Job-seeking is an exhausting process in every industry and is made much easier when recruiters actively seek out an applicant. Using social media to brand oneself as an expert makes this much more likely which is why finding a tech job using Twitter has become increasingly realistic and popular.

Source: Forbes