When you look at tools like Twitter in a singular and linear fashion, you cannot see how to use them to find a job. Most are trying to follow those that can give them a job versus creating followers from the people that can influence a job interview.

How to Use Twitter

The single key to Twitter is interaction. Not how many followers you have or how many you follow. Interaction. Most that you see on there use an approach built on volume and it is not for the job seeker.

There are many different levels of people that you hook up with on Twitter and with those levels come levels of interaction. Your focus should be on interaction with those that can have a very positive influence on your career.

Find Followers on Twitter – Who are These People?

I will first tell you who they are not – recruiters. I am not advocating that you do not follow these people as they have a whole bunch of really good information for you. They just are not the ones that you wish to be interacting with to get further.

Now there are some exceptions to this as some recruiters are really trying to help people and will act as a megaphone to your cause. These people certainly should be the ones you are interacting with.

The types of people that you want to connect with are industry or job specific to you. These can be possible peers, supervisors, or peers of your probable supervisor. Make a connection with these people and you will be exponentially more effective on Twitter.

Naturally Social Not Necessary to Succeed on Twitter

Some people and positions are not naturally social. My years recruiting engineers pull to mind a whole set of these folks. What you want is someone that is naturally social and will think nothing of mentioning you to others.

Think of sales types that sell to your industry, training people and even marketing sectors that focus on working with companies like what you are targeting. Not sure who they are? Select someone from your job search market that you hold in high regard and look at their followers and who they are following. This will lead you to some.

Getting the Interaction on Twitter

Simply the easiest way to get interaction with someone is to ask them a question. If it is a pertinent query to what they do or your field, you will get an answer. You then have interaction to build upon.

Continue the conversation and branch out into other areas. Watch for openings to further your relationship, including not on Twitter. If the person is helpful to you, then send them a card thanking them. How about clipping an article that they will be interested in.

As you build these relationships, you will be able to get into more comfortable situations more closely related to your own situation. Focus on the interaction versus the end result and watch for openings to get closer to your needs.

How Many People Should I Contact to Follow on Twitter?

We are talking about a number of people that you must manage communication with. I suggest 150. Make a list in Twitter and put these people into it. Give it a flattering name like “Highly Admired Tweeters” and use it to manage your list.

Focus on the relationships versus your needs and you will get a job interview from tools like Twitter.