Riding the Twitter tidal wave, a Dutch marketing agency is asking job applicants to apply in 140 characters or less.
Utrecht-based Energize is looking to hire an account manager and a strategic planner, and has designed an application form that looks exactly like a page on Twitter, including an empty text field. Candidates enter a short message—their "twillicitatie", or twapplication—describing why they're the person for the job, plus their email address and Twitter username. Uploading a resume is optional. For privacy reasons, Energize won't publicly tweet the applicant's message.
While it might seem like a gimmicky way to recruit new staff members, the process highlights that Energize is looking for people who actively use social media. More importantly, by forcing them to be both engaging and succinct, it's the perfect way to test a candidate's writing skills. Quite the time-saver for the hiring manager, too ;-) (Related: Dating profiles in 140 characters or less.)
Website: www.energize.nl/twillicitatie
Contact: info@energize.nl
Spotted by: Dutch Cowgirls
Job applications on Twitter-surely that is a step too far. Perhaps they could use it as a fast initial sift tool before sending out a proper traditional application form?
Twitter is a great business tool but things can be a bit too extreme, i guess we could chalk this one up as a great PR stunt for the vacancies, as it cuts out the job agency middle man.
Twitter and business are a match made in heaven and the fact you can take it home too offers another dimension...and as i quoted in a tweet recently... " 'I have registered my children for the future too.' Just how important is Twitter? http://bit.ly/4XV7v "
I like the idea, it forces the applicant to be inventive and creative. If you can't sell yourself effectively within a limited character space, you probably don't deserve the job.