How to use X (formerly Twitter) to find a job in 2024
Think X is just for memes, funny threads and overly aggressive opinions? Oh no – it's actually a great tool for starting your career. Here's how you can use it to land your dream job.
Credit: sdx15 – Shutterstock
Admittedly, with LinkedIn on the scene, X (formerly known as Twitter) might not be the first site you'd think of when using social media to get a job.
But X tends to give a more genuine impression of your personality and interests than LinkedIn. The way you present yourself on this platform can catch the attention of potential employers, and persuade them to give you a job (or not... please be mindful).
Whether you're an X rookie or a pro, turning to the site could expand your options. We'll show you how.
Best ways to find a job on X
To find your ideal job using X, try these nine easy steps:
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Make your X profile more professional
Your X profile is a prime opportunity to make yourself look more professional online.
Your profile needs to be employer-friendly. But remember it isn't a CV, so keep things informal and let your personality shine through.
Your bio needs to be concise (under 160 characters) so take your time to write something snappy, using keywords to make yourself searchable for employers. You could refer to your degree and extracurricular activities, along with fun interests. For example:
Marketing graduate and fashion blogger from Manchester. Coffee & Love Island addict.
It's also a good idea to change your DM settings so that anyone can contact you, even if you don't follow them. If recruiters want to get in touch, they have a direct line of contact with you.
Don't forget to link to other sites like your LinkedIn profile or your personal website. That way, employers can look up your background and experience in more depth.
Also, try to pick a decent profile picture and cover image that looks professional, while still reflecting who you are. These pictures should give off a strong first impression to any employers who come across your profile.
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Build your X network
Building a strong network on X takes a fair amount of time and effort. Nobody gets thousands of followers overnight.
Start by following companies you're interested in, as well as people who work at those companies.
It's also worth following some 'thought leaders' in your chosen industry. These are people who might not be able to offer you a job but have interesting things to say about the industry itself and often appear in the media to talk about it.
And don't forget your peers. Friends from university and other people you've worked with on projects will all be useful connections to have.
As well as following plenty of relevant people, be sure to start engaging with their posts to get their attention and show you're genuinely interested in their thoughts. And this brings us to our next point...
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Interact with people you follow on X
Simply following relevant people and organisations won't achieve much. You need to start engaging with them and building connections by reposting and replying to the content they share.
Unlike LinkedIn and Facebook, X is all about live updates and constant interaction, so you should ideally be posting at least once a day to keep up.
For example, if you come across an interesting article, repost it and add a line or two of your own thoughts. Whoever you've reposted will likely be grateful for the extra exposure and might respond. And bam, the connection's made!
X Chats are also a great way of doing this. These are scheduled (normally weekly or monthly) conversations on a subject where people use a specific hashtag to stay connected. Find some that are relevant to your industry and get involved.
It can be scary, but the only way you're going to get your name out there is if you get stuck in.
We're also on X @SaveTheStudent! Follow us for loads more tips on job searching, interviews and more. -
Research companies and job roles
X is a great opportunity to get a more behind-the-scenes look into a company and the roles they have.
Look out for updates like big company expansions or changes in policy and organisation. You can do this by following both the company's X page and by following people who work there.
Another good tip is to find the person who's currently working in the role you want. You could look into their background, specialisms and interests, as well as any projects they're working on. Take inspiration from their route to the job when making your CV stand out at uni.
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Find job vacancies on X
It sounds a bit obvious, but one of the best ways of using X to get a job is to find jobs on there.
Lots of companies and employees will post about roles they're looking to fill. So, keep your eyes peeled.
Don't forget that some larger businesses will have a separate X account for job vacancies (as well as work experience opportunities). For example, @BBCCareers is the BBC's account for jobs and career opportunities.
Also try searching popular hashtags like #nowhiring, #jobsearch or #graduatejobs. Or, you can use more industry-specific ones like #engineeringjobs or #salesjobs, to find relevant vacancies.
Use sites like X Pro (formerly known as TweetDeck) to keep track of certain hashtags or phrases that you want to follow closely, and avoid missing out on opportunities.
Some X accounts also act as job boards. They're usually specific to certain industries, and they'll regularly post about jobs and internships, so make sure to follow these and check them regularly.
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Use X's search function carefully
If you know how to use X's search tool properly, it can be invaluable for tracking down relevant posts and job vacancies.
Generally, the most effective way to search for jobs is by using this combination: location + seniority level + 'hiring'/'vacancy'/'job' + industry.
For example, to find posts about media job vacancies in London, you could search "London graduate job media".
However, getting the search terms right is just the beginning. You can narrow your search down further with the search filters.
This is when it really pays off to follow the right accounts, as you can choose to only see search results from people you follow, as well as posts posted near you.
You can find the option to add search filters on the results page after you've searched the key terms. If you're using the X app on your phone, you'll likely find the search filters by clicking the dial icon on the search results page.
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Use lists to find the best content on X
X can be a bit overwhelming at times, and filtering through the noise to find the best articles to share isn't always easy. But that's where lists come in.
When you come across an account that regularly shares really strong content, you can keep up with its updates by adding it to a list.
To add accounts to a list, click the three dots next to the 'Follow' button on their profile and choose 'Add/remove from Lists'. You'll then be able to add them to an existing list or create a new one.
You can create lists about anything you like, from employers who accept 2:2 degrees to companies with the best employee benefits.
Lists can be public or private, and they'll make it so much easier to keep track of different topics using top-quality X feeds.
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Post appropriate content on X
X is all about being your authentic self and allowing your personality to shine. But you should still exercise a degree of caution.
Posting stories and pictures of drunken antics or getting involved in angry X spats can create a pretty bad impression.
Be careful what you repost too. Even if the repost doesn't reflect your own opinion, sometimes it can come across as an endorsement. Reposting anything offensive or controversial will likely put employers off.
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Use X for interview preparation
The key to any successful job interview is preparation. Go in there knowing the company and your interviewers inside out, and you've got a very good chance of getting the job.
Head to X to find out things like developments, successes or trends within the organisation, as well as how the company stands out among competitors.
You can do some background research on your interviewer, too. If their profile's public, you'll be able to see their posts and find out about their interests and work projects. However, it's best not to follow your interviewer on X as that can be viewed as a bit inappropriate.
Doing this research is a great way to find topics that you could bring up in the interview to engage your interviewers and impress them with your knowledge. But don't make it too personal, or you might come across as a bit of a stalker...
As well as doing research on X ahead of interviews, you can also get prepared by finding out common interview questions and how to answer them.
X is a great place to look for upcoming graduate scheme deadlines.
