Now that the NBA lock-out is over and with NCAA action heating up as well, basketball is front and center at my house (because ESPN is always on one at least one television). This amazing story about how a basketball fan with an above average social media skill set won accolades and a job from the 76ers really hit home for me when I read the coverage in Mashable today.

Here is the recap: Two friends and Philadelphia 76er fans registered Twitter handles (@PhilEMoose and @BFranklinDogg) to promote a fan contest aimed at selecting the next 76er mascot. Their Twitter accounts started to gain some online recognition which led the team to contact them. First, the team sent letter asking the fans to turn over the Twitter handles. Then the 76ers offered a ‘fair trade’ for the Twitter accounts: season tickets and box seats to the season opener. Then one of the fans involved gets contacted by the CEO of the 76ers, brought in for a round of interviews and then offered a job working with social media for the team. Boom.

Talk about slam dunk and a shift in the way companies, teams and brands evaluate talent. Jerry Rizzo started a fan campaign using his social media expertise but also had a virtual paper trail of his work that proved he was knowledgeable, passionate and qualified. Although this is a lesson in social media, to me it’s also a lesson about how to get hired in this day and age. I’ll be working on my virtual paper trail and my “Twesume” if you need me.