I was part of a discussion this morning in one of my Linkedin groups about senior executives in transition using social media to help them stand out from the crowd.
Top level execs are competing for a minimum number of positions against equally qualified candidates and increasingly, personality and organizational fit are becoming important factors in hiring a new candidate.
So how can social media help me to stand out?
In addition to a great Linkedin network, using Twitter (or other social sharing sites) to "let people in" will help to raise your profile and "humanize" you. Whether you're a hockey fan, scout leader, amazing baker, movie lover or stamp collector, sharing your hobbies and personal interests will help employers (and future employees) to make a connection with you. A likable online profile makes you approachable and adds to your impressive credentials.
I don't have anything interesting to say, what would I share?
Nothing to say? I don't believe you!
You have many facets to your personality, and when thinking about creating a personal twitter feed, the main thing to remember is to be your self. Talk about the things that you normally talk about with friends and colleagues. Remember that the tone is more relaxed and friendly and you're expected to use your own voice. This doesn't mean that you tweet out pictures of everything you're eating all day long but focus on a couple of things that you love and stay on topic.
Remember to find others who share similar interests and don't be afraid to retweet, share and mention them - it's all about joining the community.
At the end of the day, tweeting alone won't land you that great job, but it will round you out as a candidate. Be honest, don't you Google every new name that comes across your desk? I have to admit that I do. And while a professional resume, solid experience and educational credentials are important, a great Twitter feed can let your personality shine through and make all the difference!
image: exec job search/shutterstock