In this difficult job market, people are always asking how they can use social media and online tools to aid in their job search and land them a job. There’s lots of helpful advice, but today I offer a success story.
Today I started a new job and it all started with a tweet.
Non-profit superstar Rosetta Thurman listed me as one of 50 young non-profit influencers people should follow on Twitter (thanks Rosetta!) and subsequently I was followed by people who heeded her advice. One of those people was Mandy Sharp.
As many of you know, Twitter notifies you when someone new “follows” you, so I looked up Mandy’s profile. Her profile identified her as a graduate of DePaul’s School of Public Service (SPS), where I am a graduate student. I messaged Mandy telling her I was a student at SPS. She enthusiastically shared helpful advice and we chuckled at how Twitter brought us together, but this was only the beginning.
Mandy and I kept in touch. And when I asked her if she would speak to City Year Chicago corps members at an upcoming professional development event I was hosting, she graciously agreed.
I was so happy to meet Mandy in person and so thankful to her for volunteering at my event. Since then, we’ve developed a friendship and a sort of peer-mentorship. She’s offered helpful advice regarding my degree, we’ve met for brunch and yoga, and gone to networking events together.
In a recent conversation with Mandy I told her I was ready to move to the next level in my career as a fundraiser. She suggested I look into the fundraising consulting firm where she worked. So I did. Five interviews later and with continual encouragement from Mandy, I was hired.
I start my job today and as I reflect about how I got here, I’m in awe of how things just fell into place. It’s a testament to the power of social media and networking. And while this scenario can’t be duplicated every time for everyone, there are a few things that job searchers can do to facilitate success. So here’s my Twitter advice:
1. If you’re going to be on Twitter. BE on Twitter. Tweet, Follow, Find.
2. If you want Twitter to help you in your job search remember to keep it professional.
3. Post, RePost, participate in Twitter chats, tag, and share information.
4. Follow up with people who follow you on Twitter and develop those relationships. You never know what’ll happen and at the very least you’ll make new friends!
You can follow Mandy on Twitter at @mandyasharp and read her blog here: Volunteer 101. You can follow me on Twitter at @cristinaagomez.
