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To a social media rookie, Twitter is a hard nut to crack. They just dont get it. In simple terms, Twitter forces you to learn how to communicate and share insightful ideas in tweets, which are no more than 140 characters.

Actually, Twitter is the simplest of the social networks. The simplicity of Twitter makes it possible for real social communication/networking with exchange of or Direct Messages (DMs) just like exchange of SMS. Can you relate with that?

Twitter isnt the first social network someone typically thinks about when applying for a job. Platforms such as LinkedIn come first to mind; but it does have some unique advantages over other social platforms. Twitter is a great platform for sharing resources and information. Job- related information is not left out as well.

Jobvite, a social recruiting intelligence and technology firm, in 2014 conducted a study of how job seekers use social networking sites in their job search and they came up with a 2014 Jobvite Job Seeker Nation Study. The study showed that there is a growth in the use of Twitter by applicants in their job search. In 2013, 34 per cent of job seekers said they were using Twitter to find a job; and in 2014, the number jumped to 40 per cent. This indicated that job seekers are beginning to adopt the use of Twitter in their job search with a high tendency that the 2015 figures would be higher.

So, how useful can Twitter be to your job search? Explained below are some useful tips on how job seekers can use twitter as a job searching tool

Create a Twitter account with well-crafted bio

It is usually advisable, from recruiting stand point, that when a job seeker creates a Twitter account, it should be one that showcases professional outlook. Many social media addicts would disagree with me on this, as they believe social media is their fun-time or hang-out spot, so why be professional about it? Take your Twitter account/handle as an extension of your online personal brand, and be serious about it. Be professional in your choice of Twitter handle. A Twitter bio is the section provided on your account for you to write about yourself in 160 characters or less. Make your bio concise and meaningful.

Upload a professional profile photo

A Twitter avatar or profile photo is the photograph that represents your identity on Twitter and appears with your tweets. For the purpose of maintaining a professional outlook on the social network, upload a professional photo/avatar for this purpose. Remember, the essence is to make a good impression on a potential employer. So, upload your profile photo wisely.

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Using Twitter in your job search