According to “Social Networking: 2009,” an online survey conducted by Ipsos Reid, only 26% of Canadians who are actively online are aware of Twitter. A more interesting fact is that just 1.45% of these Canadians actually used the 140-character microblogging site.

The original survey was done just before the all the media hype caused by news outlets like CNN, celebrities like Ashton Kutcher, daytime talk show hosts like Oprah, and others, so it could be that the Ipsos numbers are a little on the low side now. In any case, we can be sure that only a very minute number of Canadian professionals are using Twitter. I suspect this is because of confusion and fear that usually arises when a new form of technology proliferates our world. People are afraid of many things:

• Jumping in too early (Remember the Beta/VHS controversy)
• Becoming addicted (Social Media Addiction does affect some, as does alcoholism)
• Becoming narcissistic (Who really cares about your lunch plans?)
• Losing privacy (Big Brother is watching-only if you are telling)

All these are valid concerns, but after trying out Twitter, what I have learned is that it is a veritable GOLDMINE for 6-figure job seekers. These hidden benefits don’t seem to get much exposure, but I will tell you today that Twitter can help you in many ways:

• if you need good career advice because you seem to be “spinning your wheels”
• if you have want to supplement applying to postings with some new things
• if you are feeling lonely and isolated in your home office and you want “business chat”
• if you haven’t been working for a while and you need to address the gap by keeping current
• if you are feeling like you need to build your credibility by showing that you are an expert
• if you feel like the economy is getting you down and you need a boost

TAKE A CHANCE TODAY – TWITTER MAY OPEN UP DOORS YOU NEVER KNEW EXISTED!

 Twitter can give your six-figure career a HUGE boost. I took the long route to get there, but you can start now. How about investigating Twitter in five easy steps?

 Step 1 – Click on this link: http://twitter.com

Step 2 – Click on Join Today.

Step 3 – Create your Account (Tip: Just complete the basic form and skip the rest for now)

Step 4 – Search for some people and start to follow (read) their tweets.

Step 5 – Visit your page daily to stay connected with your tweeps (twitter people).

Sharon Graham is Canada’s Career Strategist her twitter account is http://twitter.com/sharongraham  or @sharongraham. When you feel more comfortable and you are ready for the next steps, feel free to send Sharon a question or let her know how you are doing through the “Direct Message” link on your Twitter home page. She’ll answer with a new tweet in no time.