Is Twitter any good for Recruiters?

Maybe it's just me being a bit of a luddite but I really can't see the application of Twitter for recruitment (if you've never heard of Twitter here's an overview).  Actually, if I'm honest I can't see the point of the site at all. 

I use facebook (although I never do those "status" comments.... "bob is feeding his cat") and can see how it has applications for recruitment.  I love LinkedIn (and had recent success using it for a recruitment project) and the other business networking websites.  In comparison Twitter just seems a bit too un-business-like to me.  However, James Parr suggested I take another look. He says "it’s one to stick with, it’s definitely going places".  He pointed me in the direction of Guy Kawasaki's recent blog post on how Twitter has worked for him.  As a result I've registered with Twitter and taken another look. I'm only "following" two people so far, so if you are in recruitment drop me a note with your Twitter username.  You can follow me if you like, although at present I'm not saying much.

I will stick with it for a while, would love to hear how anyone out there uses it for recruitment, and will report back.

Comments

[James]

I had my first encounter with someone who proactively uses it in a recruitment sense the other day, although he has asked to remain anonymous (shy rather than covert). He works as a headhunter in the tech market and 'tweets' to his network about where he is, what jobs he's working on currently and so on. This has led to some great referrals for him and plenty of lunches with people who wouldn't otherwise have known he was in their neck of the woods. Early days but he's making it work for him, I'm sure others will start to do the same if it becomes more well known (bit like FB).

Cheers for the mention Louise, even if I've not converted you yet!

[James]

I must seem like a real Twitter geek but found this today and had to pass it on:
http://www.caroline-middlebrook.com/blog/twitter-guide/

[Louise Triance]

James

Thanks for this. It looks like a really interesting guide that she's putting together. In fact Caroline's blog looks interesting full stop.

Louise