How I Landed My New Job Using Twitter
Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 8:04AMBack September, advertising and promotions agency BFG Communications took a unique approach to find its next employee: they asked for applications via Twitter. The open position was for an Assistant Content Manager, someone BFG describes in this way:
Your friends call you a social media addict. You think 140 characters at a time. You have a passion for blogging, participating in digital communities, and creating and sharing multimedia. Where some merely dabble in social media, you are immersed in it, super-connected and show creativity along the way.
BFG began the search by tweeting that there was an open position:
The instructions for how to apply were as follows:
Introduce yourself to us, be social and most importantly be creative in your response. We’re not looking for a generic cover letter. Show us what you can do. Go to Twitter, tweet your application to @BFGCom. Feel free to include links to your blog, a video, etc.
“The job requires someone to be social media savvy, so by going to Twitter instead of the usual cover letter and resume route, I was able to get a sense of how applicants use social media and more importantly how they think,” said Sloane Kelley, BFG’s content director. “If you understand Twitter, there’s a lot that can be said or shown in 140 characters. It just requires a little creativity. Since the job also requires a creative thinker, this was the perfect medium for our search.”
Needless to say, I couldn't help tossing my hat into the ring for this position. It seemed like a perfect fit. But when I saw the request from BFG to tweet my application, I recognized right away there was no way I was going to be able to tell my whole story in 140 characters. With that said, my approach was fairly simple:
- Stick to 140 characters or less.
- Avoid the generic cover letter and resume speak.
- Be unforgettable. (i.e. Show personality and sense of humor.)
And so, I tweeted this as my application for the job:
As fortune would have it, I would go through two different interviews, landing the job in November.
“Hal’s approach definitely stood out,” Kelley explained. “He put himself on the cover of Wired Magazine (see below) along with some headlines that showed a sense of humor. Within his tweet, he also included a link to his blog, which gave me a better understanding of his writing abilities and perspective on social media.”
Since that time, the story has gained traction in several media outlets. Stories on BFG's use of social media in sourcing job candidates have been featured in the following places:
- Bluffton Today, a local newspaper
- Brand Flakes for Breakfast, a popular Advertising Age Power 150 Blog
- The NY Post online
- CareerDiva.net, Eve Tahmincioglu: author, journalist and columnist for MSBNC's Your Career
- MSNBC.com
- The Huffington Post
- Mainstreet.com
- WJCL TV News and TheCoastalSource.com
- PROMO Magazine Award for New Media Promotion
Reader Comments (8)
Hi! I don't know you, but I read your story and am very happy for you. :-) Congrats on your new job!
Hal,
What a great opportunity you had and I agree that you were totally creative. I hope you enjoy the position. Apparently you will bring some social media mania to this firm. I hope you continue your blog, which I will subscribe to.
Wendy Soucie
xeesm.com/wendysoucie
Congrats, Hal. Definitely has to feel good getting the job, but also truly earning the job has to make it feel even better. Honestly, is there a better way to search for an employee in a creative field than to make them create an innovative idea? Your magazine cover was hysterically professional (in a very good way) so congrats again.
Now the journalist in me just can't help myself, I was just wondering what did before BFGCom? And, finally sorry, has it been worth it?
Great story and congratulations! Perhaps an application model of the future for those willing to take the risk!
Michael
So creative! Love it!
Wonderful story! I applaud your creativity. I, too, am tweeting about my job search. You have inspired me even more. Thanks for sharing!
Would love to hook up with you on Twitter at twalkr
Great Story and Congradulations. Proud to be a part of EAGLE NAION....
Congrats on the job!
What BFG did is ingenious and I have a very strong feeling more and more companies are going to be taking a similar path when hiring employees - and not just for social media jobs. Though, in regards to social media jobs, I honestly think there is no other way to hire someone than through Twitter/Facebook/blogs etc.Thanks for posting!