Twitter is a great tool for coaches like me. I can give off the cuff bits of advice and insight in just a few seconds to all my followers on Twitter, fans on Facebook, and contacts on LinkedIn. As a general rule, I tweet about 3 times per day Monday through Thursday. Sometimes you’ll even see a tweet on a Friday or a Saturday if I come across something really good.

The only problem is, well, I’m limited in space and sometimes the abbreviations make everything look like a twisted mess! My solution? To take a moment here to give you my “Top 10 Tweets Untwisted!”

Tweet: Ur presence on LinkedIn is assumed. If U cannot B found there, U may not exist. It is the new minimum req. In a job search.
Untwisted: Your presence on LinkedIn, with a full profile and picture, is assumed. If you do not have a profile set up on LinkedIn, you may not be found by recruiters and, thus, lose out on an opportunity. Recruiters are using LinkedIn very heavily right now to search for good candidates for their open positions. If you aren’t there, you may not ever hear about that great job!

Tweet: Is it a #career goal or just something U really like 2 do? Many people pursue field that really makes a better hobby. #goals
Untwisted: Some people sit at their desk all day feeling miserable about their work and life. They daydream about starting a business doing something they love. For those that actually follow through, the reality of the situation may become just as harsh and miserable as that job they desperately left. This isn’t to say you shouldn’t follow your dreams; it is a wake up call to make sure that you don’t mistake entrepreneurial spirit for a hobby that you do in your spare time.

Tweet: Hv an #interview 2day in NYC? Lv early enuf so U hv time to slip into starbucks or other overly a/c'd place 2 cool down b4 walking in2 bdlg.
Untwisted: Hot days in New York City are brutal. Having an interview scheduled for one of these hot days makes it even more difficult to handle the weather. If you find yourself heading to an interview or important meeting on a hazy, hot, and humid day try to give yourself plenty of extra time. Dress lightly while outside and carry your suit jacket; then, take a few minutes to cool down in a nearby Starbucks or retail store until it is time to go in to the building. You might also slip a small washcloth in your briefcase or handbag so you can wipe your hands or your brow just before you go in to the interview.

Tweet: A good job search is a little like a great vacation - U've researched where Ur going, know how 2 get there, and have the right tickets.
Untwisted: Knowing what kind of positions you want to pursue and what kind just are not right for your right now is important. Taking the time to identify the valued skill sets and experience, as well as the companies that best suit your expertise is important in a job search. It is akin to making sure you pick a vacation destination that aligns with your desired activities, temperature and environment, and which has the amenities you need to feel good each day.

Tweet: Who will UB seeing during festivities this wkend? How will U talk about Ur job search / personal brand / expertise with confidence?
Untwisted: The fodder for any cocktail party is “What do you do?” When you are faced with this question it is best to be prepared with your social-situation version of your 30-second elevator pitch. It might go something like this: “I am a director of market research for ABC Company; actually right now I am looking to transition to another firm that is focused on D, E, and F. What do you do?” Notice how even though you answered the question confidently you didn’t ask for a job? You merely stated what you are looking for and then asked the other person what they do.

Tweet: Ur commute is good time 4 strategy development, writing cover letters, drafting emails, planning calls...just use a recorder if U drive! :)
Untwisted: Some of my best work is done in environments other than my traditional workspace. Just this weekend I did about 6 hours of work in only 3.5 hours while on an Amtrak train to D.C. Being somewhere that has no distractions and allows me to have a laser focus on the task at hand is always powerful in terms of helping me get things done. You can use your train time to do many things related to your search: script a phone call, write up your to-do items, draft cover letters and emails, and map out your job search strategy for the day.

Tweet: Do U write UR #goals? It can B xtrmly helpful 2 write them several x's a month. Gives U new perspective & renewed focus. #fb
Untwisted: At the beginning of each week I take a few minutes to write out my goals and the vision for my business. It is a powerful technique for me. It keeps my specific goals at the forefront of my thoughts each week. And, it makes me recommit to the actions required to accomplish those goals each and every week. Because of these actions, the precise types of client I seek and the perfect speaking opportunities have come my way. In addition, it helps me say “no” to things that don’t align with my goals.

Tweet: When proposing to Ur boss that the Co. pays for a class/prof. dev 4U, be sure to focus on how the new skill is going to benefit the company!
Untwisted: Pursuing professional development coursework and seminars is a great way to learn new skills, meet people that might be able to help you, and gain different perspectives on your work. The key to getting your boss / company to pay for those opportunities is to sell them on what you will bring back from the course. Whether it be additional skills that will help you do your job better, faster, and with less money or new contacts that can serve as new customers for your company, be sure to lay out specifically why the company will be interested in investing in the class for you!

Tweet: Do U keep in mind that #networking also means Ur connecting others with resources & people that can help them? Don't just ask - have 2 give!
Untwisted: Networking isn’t just introducing yourself to everyone on the bus and asking them if they know someone that is hiring in your field. Networking is supposed to be a deep, rich, and ongoing activity in your life that includes you doing things for others that satisfy their needs. Networking isn’t meant to be quid pro quo. It is meant to be a series of trusting relationships that lead to benefits for all, not just a transaction that yields a one-time reward.

Tweet: What do U need to filter OUT of Ur resume & IN 2Ur value messages 2 sell Urself exactly as U want 2B perceived?
Untwisted: Perhaps you are changing fields or trying to more narrowly define your everyday work. No matter what your goal, it is important that your resume reflect where you want to go and not so much just what you have done. Especially in the case of the person that wants something different than what they do now, it is important to first ask yourself what aspects your job will be most valuable to an employer and write about that!

Do these tweets and their untwisted definitions hit home for you? Do you need help in any of these areas? If so, feel free to contact me. We can talk for a few minutes about your goals and how I can help you reach them.