If you’re one of the thousands of people currently out of work in the United States, you’ve probably had your fill of unanswered phone calls and rejected applications. Before you give up on your job search, however, consider trying a new tactic: Twitter. Love it or hate it, it would appear that Twitter is here to stay. Not only does the site continue to grow at an astronomical pace (Twitter recently announced partnerships with Google and Microsoft), but it’s become one of the most effective tools for professional networking.

While it may seem odd to spend time during your day tweeting your thoughts to the world, if used correctly, Twitter can help you find your next job. Here are some ReputationDefender-approved tips to get the most out of Twitter.

Get The Most Out of Your 160 Character Bio

Unlike more advanced social networking sites like LinkedIn or Facebook, there isn’t a ton of room on Twitter to let people know who you are. That doesn’t mean there isn’t value in the Twitter bio, though. You get exactly 160 characters to describe yourself, make them count. If anything, having less space will help you to clearly define your personal brand. Often, employers are seeking to fill positions with very specific skill sets. Use your Twitter bio as an opportunity to demonstrate your core skills.

Link to Your Resume or Blog

Twitter allows users to place one URL in their profile. If you have a blog, this is the perfect place to link to it, providing potential employers with an easy way to learn more about you. Alternatively, you can link to your online resume. If you don’t have an online resume, get one. A LinkedIn profile is a good option, but there are other sites as well, including Emurse and VisualCV.

Follow Job Recruiters

If you’re looking for a job, who better to talk to then a job recruiter. The beauty of Twitter is that, unless they keep their updates private, you can follow anyone. Use Twitter Search to seek out recruiters in your industry. If they tweet about a job opening, you’ll be one of the first to know. Even better, if you tweet knowledgeably about your industry, they may even reach out to you directly with a job offer. Mashable put out a great list of job accounts on Twitter, which I’m going to shamelessly copy here.

@alldevjobs – Developer jobs
@ArtDirectorJobs – Art director jobs
@cwjobs – Copywriter jobs
@jobsinhiphop – Jobs in Hip-Hop
@journalism_jobs – Jobs in journalism
@juicyjobs – Green jobs
@libgig_jobs – Library Jobs
@mediabistrojobs – Media job listings from mediabistro.com
@medical_jobs – Medical jobs
@media_pros – Jobs for media professionals
@narmsjobs – Retail marketing jobs
@PRSAjobcenter – Jobs in public relations, communications and marketing
@reflectx – Physical Therapy jobs
@seojobs – SEO job listings
@socialmediajob – Jobs in social media
@travelmaxallied – Healthcare jobs
@travelnursejob – Jobs for traveling nurses
@usmusicjobs – US Music Jobs
@web_design_jobs – Web design and other graphics jobs

Sign Up For TweetMyJobs

TweetMyJobs bills itself as the “World’s Largest Twitter Job Board,” and that’s no exaggeration. With over 6,000 targeted job channels and the ability to search regionally, TweetMyJobs provides the best opportunity for you to find jobs advertised on Twitter. You can even post your resume to TweetMyJobs for maximum exposure.

Don’t Drink and Tweet

If you’re using Twitter to promote your personal brand, it goes without saying that you shouldn’t tweet about your night out at the bar or your gripes with your neighbor. The impulse to share everything you do with your followers is strong, but you have to avoid it. Keep your tweets professional for the best chance to make a good impression.

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