Meta’s Threads Offers Fun and Friendly Environment, But Not Job Opportunities – Yet

Meta Networks Inc.’s Threads app has experienced a remarkable surge in popularity since its launch, attracting over 100 million users within its initial days. A significant number of these users have praised the app’s welcoming atmosphere, particularly when compared to its competitor, Twitter Inc.

But while Meta promises that Threads will host “positive, productive” conversations, the jury is still out on whether it will be of any use to job seekers or those looking to improve their career profile.

“It’s brand new. There’s a little bit of confusion about what it really is,” said Jennifer Davis, a director of marketing and strategy who has worked at Amazon.com Inc. and other technology companies and is looking for a new role.

Because senior-level jobs are scarce in tech, Davis, 49, is eyeing industrial and manufacturing companies. A Twitter early adopter and avid LinkedIn user, Davis joined Threads last week to check it out. Is he using it to look for a job? “Probably not,” he said. “If I wanted to be a media influencer, that’s one thing. But the C-series is all about thought leadership. I think that happens more on LinkedIn.”

There’s no doubt that Threads has made a splash since its July 5 launch, quickly becoming Apple’s most popular free app. According to Google Trends, online searches for the term rose 1,430% between July 5 and 7, and even on Twitter, tweets containing the phrase “Join Threads” were 85% positive, according to an analysis by digital marketing firm Semrush. company. The platform allows users to post, add images and short videos.

Over the past decade, Twitter has been the internet’s water cooler. Now with Threads: “If everyone is congregating at this water cooler, even temporarily, you want to be in that mix, especially the layoffs,” said Lia Haberman, a media executive who teaches social media and influencer marketing. “It’s a unique time to say, ‘I don’t know what I’m doing, but I’m going to figure it out — just like everybody else.’

For the career-focused, Threads has pros and cons. With fewer users and less noise (no ads) compared to more established platforms, you’ll find it easier to get noticed by employers or executives in your industry who may be more receptive to your messages and outreach due to the site’s inviting format. “Threads has an opportunity,” Haberman said.

Threads easily bring your followers from Meta’s sister app Instagram, but there’s a downside: this list skews more personal than professional for many users. The lack of hashtags and direct communication also makes finding and interacting with like-minded groups challenging for the time being. (Instagram chief Adam Mosseri has said such improvements are on the to-do list.) For those looking to hire or network, Microsoft-owned LinkedIn still reigns supreme with 930 million members, more than 700,000 companies hiring, and a vast array of careers. -Related content. (In particular, LinkedIn hasn’t bothered to create a Threads account yet.) For workers already suffering from technology overload, it’s natural to fear adding yet another app to our daily routine.

“Right now, there’s not really a professional perspective on this app,” said Sho Dewan, founder of career site Workhap. “There will be more professional discussions in time, but for now the content is tailored to everyday topics.”

For those who want to test Threads out or simply FOMO, the experts can give you some tips. It’s smart to create a Threads profile that’s unique to your Instagram, career counselor Jess Wass said, especially if you’re looking to reinvent yourself. In that case, use your bio as an elevator pitch and present what you bring to the table. Similarly, your posts should not reflect what you say on LinkedIn, which offers much more than Threads’ 500 characters, so be gracious.

Posts that are both informative and entertaining do well, according to executive career strategist Sarah Johnston. Pay attention to what resonates – not only from big names, but also from those with a smaller following, advises career coach Maggie Mistal. Identify key contacts and find them on other platforms if they’re not already on Threads.

The emergence of ByteDance-owned TikTok as a work-related platform, where people post funny videos of daily woes or titillating accounts of their bad layoff experiences, is proof that a platform without a clear career path can resonate with professionals. But again, every platform is unique. “The advantage of TikTok is that the video format humanizes people — you get your heartstrings,” Wass said. “With Threads, you need to have a clear story, so think carefully about how you communicate what you need.”

However, don’t limit your Threads persona to career climbing. Even LinkedIn has become more personal recently as the pandemic blurs the lines between life and work, with users posting about mental health challenges, social justice concerns and even their love lives.

Used wisely, threads can help those who need to change their career narratives or reinvent themselves professionally. Diana Levy, a former Hollywood writer, plans to use it for political and social activism, including running for office and reviving a local newspaper in the town of Tewksbury, New Jersey. “Twitter is such a dumpster fire that you shouldn’t go there,” he said. “I’ve always used Instagram as a storytelling space. Now with Threads, telling a story with pictures is much easier.”