The holidays—December specifically—are notoriously known for being the worst time of year for candidates to find new jobs. It’s usually crunch time for many companies as they close out Q4 and prepare for the calendar year ahead. This leads jobseekers to wait until the new year to even start to edit their resume and apply for new opportunities. And while this may be your train of thought, there are actually ample opportunities in the job market in December. Here are some reasons to job search over the holidays.

There’s less competition

Since the end of the year is known as a quiet time for hiring, you can use this to your advantage. A large portion of jobs are still being posted in December. Although most people are typically busy shopping for loved ones and getting ready for the holidays, you’ll find that there are less people applying for jobs. If you choose this route, you’ll be able to apply for more jobs with less competition.  

You may be able to negotiate your start date

Use the fact that employers are winding down and gearing up for the new year to your advantage. If you start your job search during the holidays and end up receiving an offer before the end of the year, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to negotiate your start date—and have more time to rest and recharge before it.

There are networking opportunities

Believe it or not, there are plenty of networking opportunities in December due to end-of-the-year parties and events. It’s a time when people are socializing and connecting. Even if you choose not to network in person, there are virtual events and virtual ways to connect. Think about sending that LinkedIn introduction at least.

You can maintain your momentum

If you’re on the job hunt, why stop applying when it comes to December? You’ve spent time building momentum and you have the opportunity to maintain that momentum by applying to jobs and networking.

While applying to jobs at the end of the year can feel like a taboo, it’s actually a great time to focus on your job search. If you decide to apply during this time of year, you’ll find that there’s less competition, you may be able to negotiate your start date and network. If you maintain your momentum through the end of the year, odds are that you’ll be recharged and ready to go by January.

Coffee interviews are a way for employers to even the playing field for potential hires. An office can be intimidating, and employers want to know the real you. 

Yet a coffee interview is still an interview and perhaps the most intimidating stage of any job application process. It’s best to treat these like a normal interview with different rules and be aware of those rules before agreeing to meet at your local coffee brewery. 

Do some research

Before you arrive at the interview, make sure to do some research on the organization. By knowing what they look for in an ideal candidate, who their target demographic is, and the company history, you can be ready to engage the interviewer with meaningful questions and conversation. You should know a little about the competition and the company’s unique selling proposition to highlight your interest in the industry. 

Make sure you know the place you are going ahead of time. Account for traffic and triple-check the time, even if it means reconfirming a day or two before the meeting. It also doesn’t hurt to ask how you should recognize the person you are meant to meet. You don’t want to wander around the cafe asking random people if they are here for an interview. 

Arrive early

A great way to not be late is to come early, but there are some things you should avoid.

Try not to order your beverage before the interviewer arrives. Make yourself apparent before the interviewer arrives. Wait outside or pick a table near the door.  

Bring your CV

Showing that you are prepared is a key aspect of any job interview, and you can show your preparedness by having a good resume or CV on hand. It can give you something to reference during the interview, and can give your interviewer something to review after the interview. It can certainly help keep your name on their mind. 

Prepare answers & questions

Questions during a coffee interview are formatted to be informal, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare to answer them. Common interview questions include “what projects are you currently working on?” and “why are you leaving your current position?” Questions are about starting conversations, so answer honestly, but interestingly. 

Interviews can feel like a one-way street, but you should prepare questions of your own. Unlike traditional interviews, a coffee interview allows you to ask your own questions at any time provided; it doesn’t disrupt the flow of the conversation. Focus your questions on the work environment, the company itself, or the team you would be working in. 

Dress code

Coffee interviews are more casual than office interviews, but unless the company dress code allows for it, you shouldn’t show up in a t-shirt and flip-flops. Stick to business casual and prepare yourself in advance.

Remember: a coffee interview is still an interview

Coffee interviews are not formal, but they are still interviews. Don’t focus on the order, or the food, but on the interviewer, the conversation, and the questions. Silence your phone, stay professional, and keep the conversation on work-related topics. You’re meeting the interviewer in a friendly environment, but they are not your friend. They are here to do a job, and you are here to get one. 

Coffee interviews are more common than ever, and while they offer a lot of freedom over the traditional office interview, in many ways they should be treated the same. Dress for success, and prepare as much as you can before heading out to the cafe. With these tips, you’ll be looking at an acceptance letter before you know it.

Mariam Simmons is a fashion enthusiast and Content Manager at Alpine Swiss. She loves traveling to the world’s top stylish destinations and gets inspired to create helpful fashion and lifestyle guides. With over a decade of writing experience, her main goal in creating content is to ensure readers learn something useful and provide value instead of noise.

The answer is very much so. A job application may not be the first thing that crosses your mind when looking for a potential partner. After all, most people like to keep their personal and professional lives separate. However, there are shocking similarities between job hunting and dating. Both involve things like putting yourself out there, making a good impression, and researching before the first date or interview.

Are you looking for your perfect match? Here are some ways job hunting is like dating.

There’s some research involved

Think of how you prepare before a job interview—and then think of how you compare to a first date. Typically before a job interview, you Google the company and prepare for any questions that could come up related to the company’s mission. And because dating apps allow people to only show specific information, it’s common for people to Google their dates before seeing them in person for the first time. In fact, a survey points to the fact that 40% of people look up their dates on Google and 44% scroll their dates’ social media feeds. So whether you’re lingering on someone’s social media profile or getting a sense for a future coworker through their LinkedIn profile, research goes into both before one meets these people in person.

You have to put yourself out there

Applying for jobs and being an active dater both involve putting yourself out there. Putting yourself out there involves vulnerability. While you may be putting a different version of yourself on dating apps than you would your resume and cover letter, you’re still setting yourself—your talents, your personality, and more—on display to be reviewed by someone, and then ultimately accepted or rejected.

It’s all about first impressions

You can appear one way on a dating app and through a resume or LinkedIn profile, but once you meet your date or a hiring manager face-to-face, you are typically concerned about making a good first impression. Just because a dating app algorithm matched you with someone doesn’t mean you have a new partner, just like a call for an interview doesn’t mean you have a job. You’ll want to make a good impression in both scenarios.

You have to trust your gut

Have you ever gone into a job interview and initially had a bad feeling about the company or conversation with the hiring manager, but couldn’t put your finger on what? Have you been on a date and got a strange feeling about the person but couldn’t figure out why? Both of these cases involve listening—and trusting—your gut feelings and what they’re telling you. While logically, nothing could be wrong with the job or date, it’s valuable to trust your gut.

You have to remind yourself not to settle

A key reminder when going on dates and into job interviews: know your worth. You don’t want to settle for a future partner just like you don’t want to settle for a lower salary or mediocre benefits. Most jobs give you the opportunity to negotiate, so even if you don’t get offered the salary you deserve, you will hopefully be able to be paid a salary you want without settling for something different.  

You may need to weed out the bad ones to get to the good ones

While it does rarely happen, the odds of going on a first date and meeting “the one” are slim. Similarly so, you may need to go on many job interviews or try out different jobs before you end up in one you’re actually compatible with. It takes time and patience to find your dream job.

We hear more and more about social media’s influence and power. From keeping families and friends connected to sharing news and information to shopping and finding jobs, people use social media for many things daily. 

Social media is also significant for building memorable brands. Of course, big and small businesses are using social media to increase brand awareness and grow more robust customer relationships. But what about creatives? 

Creatives have a massive opportunity with social media to share their talents with people worldwide. They can and should use social media to build up their brand. Here’s how to do so effectively: 

1. Find out more about your customers 

Using social media to build your brand in a creative field starts with understanding your customers’ behaviors on these platforms. Find out which platforms your customers engage on the most. Then, use the built-in analytics tools on your social media platforms to find out: 

• The behavioral patterns of your customers on social media 
• What content your customers are looking at 
• How they come across your content on these platforms 
• The demographic information of the people viewing your content 
• How successful different posts are among your audience 

With this information, you can create content your customers can resonate with and engage with them in a way you know they’ll be receptive to. 

2. Engage with your audience often

It’s crucial to engage with your audience often on social media. Constant engagement is critical when using social media to build your brand as a creative. If you don’t talk to your audience, how will you ever get the word out about your brand?

Engage with your audience as much as possible on your social media platforms. Respond to all comments, even the negative ones. Use the story features to give followers a glimpse into your life and day-to-day processes. Answer all direct messages, mentions, and shoutouts. Be sure you’re commenting on others’ posts too. 

3. Show your work and who you are

To build your creative brand using social media, you must show your work and let your personality shine in your content. Doing so will help you emotionally connect with your customers and create strong bonds with them.

So, get into the habit of standing out with original content. For example, share content that shows you during your creative process. Show off how you’ve intertwined your brand’s aesthetic with your office’s interior design. Show videos and pictures of a piece in progress. You could even do live Q&A sessions so your audience can get to know you personally. 

Whatever content you decide to share on your social media pages, be sure it’s unapologetically you.  

4. Encourage customers to leave reviews 

You can also boost your brand-building efforts on social media by encouraging customers to leave reviews. More people are leaning on reviews from real people before making a purchase or supporting a brand. 

Show how amazing your brand is through the eyes of actual customers with social proof. Ask those who purchase from you to leave a video review of the product or service on social media. Then, give them an incentive for doing the review and ask them to use the video on your own platforms. 

Also, encourage customers to leave written reviews in the comments and in your direct messages. You can always screenshot the written reviews and post them on your pages. 

5. Build your professional network 

Developing a professional network on social media helps you build your brand too. Customers aren’t the only ones who can spread the good word about your brand. Other creatives in your industry, indirect competitors, and other business owners can build up your brand’s reputation as well. 

Join groups on these platforms dedicated to your craft or industry. Lead thoughtful conversations with others. Make friends. And go for any opportunity that allows you to share your talent, like podcast interviews, guest posts, conferences, and panel discussions. 

6. Stay on top of the conversation surrounding your brand 

Social media is a gold mine for discovering what people say about your brand. People always talk about their experiences with different businesses and how they genuinely feel about brands, products, and services on social media. 

Keeping up with these conversations allows you to optimize what people enjoy and adjust what they don’t. The most efficient way to stay on top of the discussion surrounding your brand on social media is through social listening tools. Do your research on the best fit for your needs and ensure it’s easy to use.  

Using social media to build your brand in a creative field is a brilliant business move. Creating a presence on these platforms is a must if you want your brand to be top of mind for potential and current customers. The tips above can help you solidify your brand through social media in the most authentic, efficient way.

Remember in your younger school days when you used to join extracurricular clubs? You may have been a part of the chess club, drama club, or anime club.

These clubs may have transferred into a hobby as you grew up and got busy with other things like college, internships, or moving to new places.

However, in the world of remote work, some clubs can be crucial to not only landing a job—but can help keep you from feeling too isolated. That’s why job search clubs exist. Yes, you read that correctly. These are a bit different from associations; they are clubs for adults solely dedicated to being a support group for job-hunting, providing tools for one to land their next gig. The job search can feel lonely, especially if you’ve recently been laid off or fired. Luckily, job search clubs are easier to find and join because of the pandemic.

Want to know more?

Why Should I Join a Job Search Club?

Looking for the next career move isn’t always easy, and job clubs understand that. With the goal of helping people spend less time job-hunting, these clubs typically hold job-seekers accountable by making sure they’re on track with their job search. They meet regularly and create a support system for anyone feeling particularly isolated while trying to find a new job.

These clubs also can serve as networking opportunities, with info sessions and speakers who may have previously been in the club(s). Additionally, members of the club have the opportunity to take part in mock interviews, have their cover letters and resumes reviewed, and go through training for specific job skills.

How Do I Find a Job Search Club?

We recommend starting with the US Department of Labor‘s job service website, CareerOneStop. This site provides a tool for you to search for job clubs depending on your location.

You can also most likely find job clubs in your local community, at places like the public library, community college, or local universities—with job clubs usually listed on their website.

We also recommend looking for these types of clubs on social media, as they can come in the form of Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn groups.

Job hunting doesn’t have to be a lonely experience if you’re able to utilize a job club as a resource. And you never know, you may gain new friends and connections along the way.

“We get carried away with spreadsheets, schedules and the stuff that is modern work life, and we forget about our duties to one another,” says Clay Cutchins, a mentor and creative strategist at Franklin Street, a Richmond, Virginia-based health care brand and marketing consultancy.

Older, more experienced colleagues can help junior workers advance by offering career advice, introducing them to the right people and opportunities, and sharing tips and tools of their trade.

“I realized that to get ahead as a writer I needed to eventually find someone who can help me get there,” says Rachel McGuinn, Cutchins’ mentee and a writer with Franklin Street. McGuinn, who was transitioning from project manager to writer was nervous about making the big leap. “I had never done advertising writing and it was very different. At first I felt like I didn’t deserve it or I didn’t know if I could do it.”

Cutchins saw McGuinn’s potential and decided to take her under his wing and help her grow as a writer. “Her humility showed her respect for the craft and for her new position,” says Cutchins. “I identified with that.”

Cutchins’ experience in the Marine Corps along with his time spent shadowing novelist and screenwriter Elmore Leonard made him aware of the importance of leadership in the workplace.   And when he saw McGuinn’s humble desire to develop her craft, he knew they would make a good team.

According to studies, those who are mentored are 130 percent more likely to hold leadership positions and because of the beneficial role of mentorships, 90 percent of mentees show an interest in mentoring others later in their lives.

“It’s a rite of passage for when you get to a certain point of your career and craft that you can share that with someone,” says McGuinn. “It’s invaluable.”

While mentorships may seem like an alliance that only serves the younger, less experienced colleague, the relationship also helps the person in the leadership role as well.

“I benefit from the mentorship more so in some ways,” says Cutchins. His mentorship with McGuinn has expanded the breadth of his writing, helped fine-tune his diplomacy skills, and kept him in the loop with things that are culturally relevant. “You learn from people with good character no matter what their age or experience is,” he says.

Finding Your Mentor

Finding a mentor may seem like a daunting task, but through some research you can identify the right candidate. Look to your elders within the communications field and take note of the people you admire. Does this person have skills you want to develop within yourself? Do they command the respect of the professionals in your industry? Are they known for supporting their colleagues? Can you easily connect with them? These are the questions that you should be asking yourself when tracking down the right person to guide you in your career.

Your mentor already may be sitting across from you at work, or you may have to look beyond the confines of your office walls to find your match. Join a professional association like Public Relations Society of America or the American Marketing Association and start attending networking and industry events to make connections.

Cruise LinkedIn to scope out interesting profiles or troll Twitter to see who is leading important discussions. Ask an esteemed colleague or former college professor if they have any recommendations of people who might be a good advisor for you. After you have narrowed down your list of prospects, invite each candidate out for coffee to see if there is a connection. “That chemistry is absolutely necessary,” advises McGuinn.

Also, your city’s chamber of commerce or a local business organization may offer a mentorship program that screens candidates and pairs you up with the right person.

Establishing + Maintaining The Relationship

Upfront establish what you both, as mentor and mentee, seek from the relationship. With your mentor, outline your goals and strategize a plan of attack. And then schedule meetings for every month or so with an agenda of topics to discuss. Or if you are looking for something a little more low-key, maybe your mentorship style is more informal, spit-balling ideas over beers and meeting up a few times throughout the year.

Now two years into her mentorship with Cutchins, McGuinn reminisces on their first structured meeting, a whiteboard session where Cutchins had her list out her aspirations as a writer. “The more we put on the board, the more excited and confident I became because those were goals that I could very easily see and achieve,” she says.

After their first mentorship session, the two started meeting to discuss movies and books, like Stephen King’s “On Writing,” and over the years the mentorship grew to incorporate casual lunch meet-ups and formal writing sessions. As your mentorship develops, feel free to add new activities that can strengthen your bond as mentor and mentee. Attend a networking event together. Invite your mentor to a work party. Go see an exhibit that you both are interested in.

“A mentor is only as good as the questions the mentee asks,” says Cutchins. You are given access to information and tools through your mentor, so be sure to tap into their industry knowledge.

While a mentorship exists so you can absorb the knowledge of your elder, be sure to be respectful of the time and attention they are giving to the relationship too. Stay focused during meetings, accept criticism with grace, show your appreciation, and be sure to reciprocate the love, asking if you can help your mentor with anything.

Founded as a grassroots organization in 1946, Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) works to protect the rights of broadcast and digital journalists in the courts and legislatures throughout the country. It promotes ethical standards in the industry, provides members with training and education and honors outstanding work in the profession through the Edward R. Murrow Awards. RTDNA members help shape the future of the journalism profession by advocating on journalists’ behalf and lobbying in their interest. A firm defender of the First Amendment, RTDNA advocates for open government and freedom of information, and promotes diversity in newsroom staffing and coverage.

Year Founded:

1946

What specialty does the organization support?

Broadcast & Digital Journalism

Headquarters Location:

Washington, DC

Do you have local chapters? If so, how many?

No, but members are organized into 14 regions, each represented by a Director on the Board.

Organization Leader/President:

Current Board Chair Scott Libin; Executive Director Dan Shelley

How do you become a member of RTDNA? 

Join online at members.rtdna.org/join.

Is there a cost associated with being an RTDNA member?

 Dues are $199 per year or under, depending on the member’s job role.

Are there perks associated with being a member of the organization?

Yes! RTDNA membership includes perks like discounts from educational partners Mediabistro, Poynter, the AP Stylebook and others, as well as on the annual Excellence in Journalism conference and entries to the Edward R. Murrow Awards.

What’s one thing that sets your organization apart?

RTDNA is an organization for news leaders. That means news managers and executives, but more broadly it means our members are the best in the broadcast & digital news business, and we recognize journalism excellence each year with the Edward R. Murrow Awards, the most prestigious in the industry.

Does RTDNA offer members any additional resources?

Absolutely! RTDNA members get continuous legal support through our Voice of the First Amendment Task Force, continuing education through in-depth webinars and bite-sized Ed Talks tips, and constantly updated ethics and leadership resources.

How has this organization changed in the past, and where does it expect to go in the future?

RTDNA was founded in 1946 as the Radio News Editors Association. As you can imagine, we’ve changed and adapted as the industry has, now serving broadcast and digital journalists. Currently, RTDNA is undergoing a renaissance. Under the leadership of new Executive Director Dan Shelley, a longtime radio, television and digital news executive, RTDNA has launched the Voice of the First Amendment Task Force. Its aims are proactively supporting journalists facing threats to their press freedom and educating the public about the importance of a free press to our democracy.

How does RTDNA view the current state of the news industry?

Journalism is under attack. In the past decade, the primary threat to the news business has been just that—business models and economic disruption. Today, though, the news industry is increasingly under verbal and sometimes even physical assault by, in the recent words of our 2017 John F. Hogan Award recipient, CNN’s Jake Tapper, “lying Twitter trolls and hostile foreign governments and juvenile officials in our own country.” The vitriol ostensibly against “fake news” is too often directed at responsible media, who, far from being “enemies of the people,” are fulfilling a Constitutionally-protected duty to keep the public informed and the powerful held accountable.

 As an organization is it difficult to keep up with changes in the news and journalism industry?

RTDNA’s members are leaders in journalism, at the forefront of the industry. We can never predict the future with certainty, but we aim to give our members the tools and resources to continually innovate to better serve changing audiences.

What is the current state of opportunities for journalists and news professionals? Are jobs growing?

Yes, the Expo floor at the 2017 Excellence in Journalism was overflowing with recruiters! Jobs are growing, but they are also changing. We’re seeing demand shift to multi-media journalists (MMJs) and journalists with a variety of digital skills, but news organizations are hiring.

Over the past year, has the industry changed? If so, how?

Attacks on journalism have grown more vitriolic. According to the Press Freedom Tracker, which RTDNA helped launch, there have been 20 arrests and 20 physical attacks on journalists this year. And the “fake news” label is now bandied about to describe responsibly reported stories consumers or pundits simply don’t like, or where the facts are disagreeable. At the same time, local news has continued to steadfastly serve communities, especially those in desperate need of potentially lifesaving information, as we saw during Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

What do you see for the future of the news industry?

Journalism is under threat but will continue to play a vital role in our democracy. Journalists are no longer the primary gatekeepers of information but rather critical guides in helping the public sort fact from fiction. Delivery platforms, formats and mediums will continue to change as technology advances, but the underlying function of journalism, and its underlying principles, will remain.

Today, the barriers to producing attractive and professional-looking video content are breaking down and it is becoming cheaper and easier, which is good since video is one of the most effective ways to reach your audience— even during a job search.

Ignore video for your job search at your peril. Types of video content you may want to consider during your job search, include a demonstration of skills or project stories that show what you can do, your video resume and thought leadership pieces that help identify you as a valuable asset for any employer to have on a team.

A Cisco white paper predicts that 80 per cent of all internet traffic will be video content by 2019. Because of the drive to create more and more video, technology developers are rushing to provide solutions for video content creators.

Take a look at these five tools that promise to make your video projects more effective with just a little effort:

1. Showbox

Showbox is a free service that provides everything from background replacement to story recipes to help develop great video content. Use this to spin your story in a smart, sophisticated way. It’s a great tool for highlighting your best skills or projects.

2. Quik

Quik identifies your best footage and presents gives options for everything from transitions to captions. Use it to create your best explainer video or demo or to create a mixed-media video showing images from successful presentations and projects, all with snazzy transitions and background music if you like.

3. Animaker

Moving infographics could be cool, right? Animaker provides artistic options for how you tell your story. Don’t feel like getting up close and personal with your webcam? Animaker might be the way to go. Animaker provides video resume templates that walk you through the process of creating your own. It doesn’t get much easier—or more fun—than this.

4. Magisto

Magisto is a great tool for people who don’t feel adept at coming up with creative ideas for video. It provides examples and ideas for ways users can take the reigns and develop a video that shows off their skills or business.

Magisto offers even more guidance and resources for professionals and business owners for a monthly price, although Magisto does have the freemium version that works quite well—even better if you know enough about video to have some B-roll and high-quality photographs you can use.

5. Filmora

When your film has captions, you increase the likelihood of your video being watched. Filmora makes adding captions and text to your video easier.

Whether you think you are the next great film director or a complete novice at film technique, using these tools will help make your video content stand out.

Why Fall?

While fall is a certainly a great time to look for a job, as those key to the hiring process begin returning from vacations, it’s an even better time to network.

“As the year comes to a close, those making hiring decisions are likely to turn their attention to end-of-year reviews, raises and often budgets will dwindle,” says Shelby Sledge, VP of services at marketing and public relations firm Shelton Interactive. “Fall becomes a great season for networking so that when the new year rolls around and hiring picks up, you’re top-of-mind for a hiring option.”

So, it helps to plan a little more long-term this time of year, working to get your foot in the door with hiring managers for the possibility January hiring.

Up Your Networking

One of the best things you can do this time of year is to get active in your community. This means signing up for events and conferences, and maybe even calling up one of your top companies for an informational interview.

Then, as Sledge says, “make sure you’re taking your ‘face-to-face’ network virtual by connecting with a handful of key people met at an industry event on Twitter or LinkedIn.”

And speaking of social, this is also the perfect time of year to up your networking on sites like LinkedIn—by joining groups and becoming part of the discussion—and on Twitter—by increasing the amount of industry-related news and insights you share.

Check In With Your Network

If you made connections in the past that fell to the wayside, or even jobs you applied to that never panned out, now’s a good time to reconnect.

“I’m often impressed with job seekers who reach out maybe initially to see about a new position and then cleverly stay on the radar in non-pushy ways,” says Sledge.

Sledge talks about a candidate who—after reaching out for an internship when the timing wasn’t right on the employer’s end—did a few things to stay on the radar. “She was savvy to keep in touch by seeking advice in a very authentic way and just generally making me remember our previous conversation,” says Sledge.

And if you’re drawing blanks on how you can reach out to reconnect, Sledge points to a few great ways to do just that:

• Ask for advice from someone in your network.
• Send an update on where you are in your career.
• Send a “this made me think of you” email, where you can share a bit of industry related news or something related to what you and the person discussed previously.

There’s a fine line between being pushy and checking in. To stay safe, just make sure you don’t overwhelm your connections with too many emails or phone calls. And in your communications, Sledge has one simple tip: “Be authentic.”

6 Moves That Can Make (or Break) Your Career on Twitter was originally published by American Marketing Association.

To help wade through the world of Twitter and avoid having a tweet-gone-wrong forever saved in the Library of Congress, three social media professionals weigh in with some tips on what career marketers should do and should avoid on the decade-old, yet always evolving, social media platform.

Things to Avoid

1. Posting Without Thinking

Kathi Kruse, social media and digital marketing specialist and owner of Kruse Control, says that she’s a big advocate of “thinking before you hit send.” Right now, there’s a large number of people posting inappropriate images, videos, thoughts and musings on Twitter. This can be gravely damaging to a career, she says.

“I’m not saying people shouldn’t have their personal opinions about things politically or otherwise, but what you say and do online speaks for you,” she says. “A lot of people kind of don’t realize that because it’s just the click of a button. But the reality is, you can see it for the rest of your life practically. It really only takes one time.”

With Twitter, it just takes one Google search to go from a candidate for a new job to the rejection pile. “Tread lightly,” Kruse warns.

2. Talking Only About One Person: You

Think of Twitter like a cocktail party: Does anyone stand in the corner and maintain a conversation with the person who speaks only of themselves?

Janet Fouts, a social media strategist and CEO of Tatu Digital Media, says that this is one of the biggest mistakes that professionals can make online.

“They think they’re the hottest thing in the world and [the] smartest and no one else has any intelligence,” she says.

It’s not just joining in on conversations. That’s important, Fouts says, but even more important is sharing something another person posts, which adds value to your own network.

“Respecting the intelligence of other people and sharing their information aligns them with the people they respect,” Fouts says. “When they do that, they can really raise their status by associating with people who are super smart and sharing more info.”

3. Speaking As an Authority If You Aren’t an Authority

Don’t be a know-it-all, says Lissa Duty, social media coach and co-founder of Rocks Digital. If a marketing professional expresses themselves as an authority on Twitter when they aren’t, Duty said it will be obvious (and annoying) to followers.

“That’s one of the biggest fails they have,” she says. “They’ll try to because they feel intimidated about how long they’ve been in the industry, … pretend they know everything.”

Wanting to be an influencer is a great goal to have. Forcing yourself into that role? It won’t work, Duty says. Everyone who has experience in your industry will know when you’re faking. Be open to learning new information instead of trying to constantly bestow it.

Things to Do

1. Focus on Your Passion

It may be cliché, but Kruse says that posting what you’re passionate about is a great way for a young professional to establish themselves as a thought leader.

“Let that be your guide for how you want to be seen and establish yourself as an expert or a thought leader,” she says. “Volunteer to write content around it, certainly, but also volunteer to speak at certain places or contribute to blogs of companies that you admire. Do this proactive kind of thought leadership so that when [potential employers or partners] look back on a body of work they say ‘Oh, they are a thought leader.’”

A lot of smart companies will try to poach these Twitter thought leaders, Kruse said. Why? Because it makes the company look like a smart thought leader, by proxy.

2. Strive to Learn

There are a lot of important people on Twitter, and the smartest professionals learn from them, Fouts says.

Marketing professionals should think of Twitter as a place of professional development where they can learn from the leaders in the field. By reading and sharing these insights, marketing professionals can also help others learn, thereby helping their own brand.

3. Reach Out Within Your Range

While making friends in high places is great, Duty suggests focusing on connections with influencers who are attainable and within reach for mentorship. For example, that person with 500,000 followers may not readily respond to questions and conversation, but the person with 50,000 may. This can have immense value.

“That mentorship may not be where they’re directly saying ‘Hey, I’m your mentor,’ but someone they can look to, ask questions of, follow and look to that is an attainable goal,” she says. “Someday, they can develop the relationship and they too will be an influencer. And that’s how they grow and reach on twitter and other larger platforms.”

In fact, this is how Duty increased her influence and reach on Twitter. Her @LissaDuty account has 31.2 thousand followers, but it didn’t happen overnight. She identified three influencers who had reach beyond her own and worked toward developing a rapport with them. When their influencer status grew, Duty’s did too.

Key Takeaways

Twitter is 10 years old and has more potential to mess up your career than ever. How can marketing professionals avoid this?

Posting the wrong thing may not seem like a bad idea at the moment, but it could be career poison down the line if seen the wrong way by a company executive or HR representative.

Avoid not thinking before sending a tweet, but also be proactive in reaching out to possible mentors within your reach. Be calculated but spontaneous. Twitter is about finding the mix that works well for you.

Consider honing your Twitter skills with a Mediabistro online course on social media.

Hal Conick is a staff writer for the AMA’s magazines and e-newsletters.

The American Marketing Association is the pre-eminent force in marketing for best and next practices, thought leadership and valued relationships, across the entire discipline of marketing. Its online publications include posts on industry trends, career advice and more.