Twitter can be a great asset for your job search. There are people to meet that you probably wouldn’t get to meet otherwise. There is real-time industry and job field information that is hard to match. There are helpful opinions and advice to be found everywhere. There are job postings, as well as company information. Twitter is unlike anything else.

However, here are five things people do that keep them from getting any worthwhile response from others:

1 ~ They don’t provide necessary information. I often have someone send me a tweet or a Direct Message asking for help in some way for their job search. When I look at their profile page, there is no Bio, or one that give little or no relevant information. Where do you live? What do you do? Does your Bio state that you are seeking a new position? What unique skills and value do you offer a potential employer? Does your profile include a professional picture… or a picture of your pink poodles... or no picture at all? If you’re looking for a job, make sure your profile professionally displays it.

2 ~ Their tweets create a ‘less than professional’ image. Like it or not, when someone is looking at you for a potential job, they don’t just consider your applicable skills. One inappropriate remark or bit of ‘trash talk’ may cause them to decide to pass you by. Yes, you can have a private life, but Twitter or any other Social Media site, is not private. If you wouldn’t use foul language or slander on your resume, don’t do it on Twitter either. If you’re looking for a job, the same thought that goes into your resume ought to go into every tweet.

3 ~ They have no tweets. Occasionally someone may have a good profile, but have posted no, or only a few tweets. If they are brand new to Twitter, that’s understandable. However, if one of their tweets is from months ago and they only have 2 or 3 since then, it’s obvious they don’t engage. That may say something about them as a potential employee as well. It’s good to listen, however, if you’re looking for a job, make sure to engage as well.

4 ~ They have too many tweets. If someone has been on Twitter for 2 weeks, and has posted 3,500 updates...they like to hear themselves talk! While it’s good to engage, and offer up valuable information, hundreds of tweets a day says something about you too. It may say you have way too much time on your hands. It may say that you don’t know when to stop talking. Or it may say other less than complimentary things about you as well. If you’re looking for a job, engage, but don’t overdo it.

5 ~ They are primarily following porn stars, celebrities, spammers, and gamers. Who you choose to follow on Twitter says something about you. Certainly some of those will inevitably be part of who you follow. However, if those dominate your list instead of industry professionals, company contacts, experts in your field, etc. the perception is that your job search is secondary. If you’re looking for a job, select who you follow carefully.

If you are using your Twitter profile to add to your job search...how you present yourself there is just as important as how you present yourself on your resume, in a networking meeting, or in a job interview. Put your best professional foot forward!