- Cartoon by Hugh MacLeod
Yes, you CAN get a job on Twitter.
I HAVE PROOF.
Last Tuesday morning I woke up waayyyy too early so I grabbed my iPhone and scanned Tweetdeck while deciding whether to go ahead and get up or try and go back to sleep for a bit.
I happened to see a tweet from someone in the #HR community I’ve been following for at least a couple of years. She is located in upstate NY and we’d never met IRL – or even spoken on the phone, for that matter. She stated that she was looking for a contract sourcer.
I happen to know a lot of people who might be interested in such an opportunity so I DMd (direct messaged) her with my email address and asked her to share details with me.
She replied, asking if I knew of anyone, and I said I might. She emailed me and we arranged to speak that afternoon.
We had a great conversation during which she provided me with some additional insight in to the nature of the work. I told her I had a few people in mind and would reach out to them on her behalf and send them her way if appropriate.
The first person I mentioned it to had already spoken to her about it. He’s also very active on Twitter…imagine that! 
Several hours later, completely out of the blue, I received the following DM from another friend on Twitter.
Top secret – just found out that I’ll be part of a reduction next week. Would love it if you kept eye/ears peeled for any opportunities.
She is located in Texas, and while we haven’t met (yet), we have spoken on the phone and collaborate on a fun “volunteer” project helping job-seekers.
I replied:
@TXFriend, reach out to @NYFriend and tell her I sent you. she’s looking for a contract sourcer – could be long-term 
18 HOURS LATER, @TXFriend sent me this DM:
Yay! Great connection with @NYFriend. Signed a contract to source for her this morning. You’re awesome!
It still shocks me when I hear negative talk about Twitter…”it’s a waste of time, I don’t care what someone ate for breakfast, blah blah blah.”
1-800-GETALIFE.
I’d love to hear from others who have landed a new work project or job opportunity via Twitter…or a new client, even. Same thing, really. It’s paid work, right?
And, speaking of the power of Twitter, our most recent He Said, She Said episode was centered on this very subject. You can catch it here!Â
Scridb filter
{ 1 trackback }
{ 9 comments }
I referred someone for that same opening. Your twitter friend got hired over mine, but at least 4 people I know of got a look from that person by wasting their time talking on twitter!
Yes, look at all of us just wasting our time!
I have basically the same story to tell – except I wasn’t looking at Tweetdeck in the wee hours of the morning.
I helped connect a social media friend with another social media friend for a sourcing job with a F10 company after a DM message from one about an opening and DM message from the other about being laid off. Twitter just facilitates good networking and allows us to be aware of many more opportunities to connect our relationships.
“Twitter just facilitates good networking and allows us to be aware of many more opportunities to connect our relationships.”
Well said, Jennifer!
I LOVE THIS STORY!!!
I never did listen to the naysayers because I always used groups, networks, social sites & any other method I could use online to reach those I was trying to recruit. I did it successfully for years before Twitter. Twitter has enhanced an already good thing, IMO. Glad to see I’m not the only believer!
Thanks, Robin!
And, yes, I’m right there with you…was doing it long before Twitter. IMO Twitter is yet another tool to help those who want to make connections facilitate them in a whole new way and with unlimited reach.
Nicely put, Stephanie.
Twitter is a virtual goldmine for anyone wishing to start, stretch, deepen, grow, build, expand and enhance relationships. Beyond the intrinsic ‘friendship and collegial’ benefits and opportunities to inspire and build community, it DOES offer income/revenue opportunities for entrepreneurs (like me!) and for job seekers. Hands down, one of the best (if not, THE best) social media vehicles out here!
Thanks for your ‘high-impact’ message!
Stephanie – what a great confirmation of what Twitter or other social networking tools can do for you. I am compelled to point out that it is not the technology alone that made the success, it was also your commitment to being an outstanding connector and your empathy for those that you connect with. Just a couple of reasons why I am a big fan!
Stephanie, a few weeks ago on Twitter I was complaining about an interaction with someone who was violently against Twitter. This is the advise I received: “I smile & move on. Never try to teach a sow to sing. 1st, you’ll fail & 2nd, you’ll piss off the sow.”
I’ve decided to stop talking about Twitter with those who are naysayers. I will continue to embrace innovation and continue to connect with people using Twitter. Great post!
Marguerite
Comments on this entry are closed.