Can you present your professional competencies and relevant qualifications for an advertised job via tweet?
According to Twitter's UK arm, an increasing number of users are doing just that:
"New data suggests savvy millennials are increasingly turning to Twitter for a direct line into potential employers. #Jobs has been one of the most popular UK hashtags in the past year, amassing more than 3.3 million mentions since August 2017. #Hiring was also one of the top UK hashtags, as employers engage in this conversation alongside job hunters."
That seems odd right? You can't really capture your relevant skills and experience within 280 characters. Right?
Well Twitter UK, at least, is running with it, launching a new #OneTweetCV campaign, which it will use to select five young jobseekers for a work experience opportunity at Twitter's London HQ later in the year.
"To apply for the role, applicants simply need to Tweet using the official hashtag — #OneTweetCV. You’re encouraged to get creative, making full use of Twitter’s range of features (E.G polls, GIFs, videos, photos, Moments)."
I mean, with the additional elements it makes more sense - you could create a video of yourself and add it to accompany your short message, and that would make Twitter a more suitable platform for a job application than a simple, text-only tweet.
But still, it's interesting to consider whether such process might become an actual recruitment trend.
Twitter UK has provided more insight on this front:
"Our research suggests that 18-24-year-old’s are increasingly ditching traditional job applications in favor of approaching companies via social media. Around half of those we surveyed liked the idea of using Twitter to apply for jobs rather than writing a CV. What’s more, 70% feel that CVs don’t allow them to show employers who they really are."
Given this, it may well be worth companies considering how they can utilize different social platforms to attract relevant job applicants. If younger users are turning away from traditional process, and are also increasingly active on social platforms, meeting them where they are with your job awareness initiatives could actually help you find better applicants, and connect with them in a more engaging way.
And if you are thinking about applying for a role via tweet, Jessica Mansell, a Senior Recruiter at Twitter UK, also has some notes on how to stand out:
- Demonstrate personality - a Tweet is no longer just 280 characters. Use images, emojis, threads, and more to catch the attention of your dream employer
- Skip Buzzwords - if you wouldn’t say it in real life, why say it on Twitter? Don’t ‘reach out’ or ‘touch base’... say hi!
- Remember the three C's - Clear, Concise, Creative
- Don't show off - Be authentic and this will shine through
- Know where you're applying - Twitter is a creative space bursting with talent, so tailor your CV to show you'd fit in with the culture
Those are mostly specific to Twitter's #OneTweetCV initiative, but still, some interesting considerations, and some interesting usage insights to keep in mind for recruiters.