Need a Job? Watch What You Tweet

Monday, I wrote about why you should make sure that your Facebook profile is presentable to a potential employer just in case he chooses to search for you online. Along those same lines, you need to make sure that your tweets on Twitter won't cause your potential new boss to change his mind.

Especially with the simplicity of tweeting from mobile devices, Twitter can be quite the convenient place to post things that should not be posted. Some people assume that only those who follow them will see their tweets and then go on a 140 character rant about their boss or a client. That kind of tweet will definitely turn almost any potential employer off.

Just like with Facebook, you should avoid posting anything hinting at your participation in illegal activity. The guy you just had an interview with doesn't want to know about your epic journey to White Castle. That guy wants to know that, while you have personality, you conduct yourself in a professional manner.

Depending on your job prospects, you might even want to refrain from using foul language in your tweets. For example, my target market is in the buckle of the Bible belt and consists largely of very conservative people. There are times where it would feel great to add a four-letter emphasis to a statement, but I would most definitely lose business in the process.

Just like Facebook, Twitter is likely to rank very highly when you search for yourself. Make sure that your tweets support you as being the candidate that your prospect wants to hire.