Hire Strategies Blog

What's the value of a blog?

I presented at The FIRM event last week and was talking about SEO for recruitment. You can see the full presentation on a previous post: SEO made easy (or not). I mentioned that I would like to say that I started my blog in 2006 knowing that by 2010 it would outperform many career sites and in some cases job boards in the SEO stakes. But I didn't have such foresight but never mind, this is where it now is. So what may such a blog be worth to a business or a recruitment business?

Once upon a time..... the story of social media Merv, Gareth the Gob and King Keith

Once upon a time there was a recruiter called Mervyn. He was a solid recruiter, doing all the right stuff, placing people, building relationships. But he could see there was more to be done. He dreamed of venturing into the new promised land of social media but was always battling against the evil barons upon whose land he lived. Even his evil Welsh master Gareth the Gob chastised him and his #SMEG friends for speaking such toffle.

Recruit Lou - are personal blogs the new CV?

Louise Curtis is looking for a new job. She has started a blog to tell the world so even if you don't read the rest of this post do have a look at her blog. Her athletic achievements alone are very impressive and say a lot about the kind of person she is.

One night stand, short term affair or full on marriage?

Recruiters tend to dip their toe in the water and flirt with the latest sexy tools although in some cases they shy away because it all looks a bit too hot to handle. Everyone seems to be in bed with the job boards but then they are just a bunch of media tarts really.

Google is a bit of a geeky looking type that's hotter than hell if you spend some time getting under their skin but most think Facebook and Twitter look sexier but just flirt with them and never take it any further. Fickle lot these recruiters. But one night stands rarely live up to expectations and short term affairs are just a bit too risky which is why most just go back to hum drum job board land. Some recruiters do of course get their kicks from their job board and are happy to stay where they are but some are not yet they just won't take the plunge and try something more than just a dip in the water.

If you are going to flirt with SEO, Adwords, blogs, Twitter, Linkedin, Facebook or any of the others can I suggest you go into this with long term in mind. Campaigns are fine as a one-off if you can get by with these but building a talent pool, or a community, or a Linkedin Group, or SEO, or Google Adwords need more than one night. Enough said.

Should Corporate Recruiters have a blog?

It depends.  But if they are going to take social recruiting seriously, and attempt to integrate their career site with their social presence, then a blog could actually make it that little bit easier.  Don't believe me?  Read on.

Do you, will you, can you measure it to death?

Measure what?  How many people REALLY measure the results of what they do?

The lion rarely attacks an elephant as there are better, easier targets. The poor old zebra just hopes he is faster than his drinking buddy.  As does the antelope.  The vulture just hopes the lion kills something.  As does the hyena.  The lion hopes he will survive.  To survive he needs to kill something.  That damn vulture would be a good start but it never comes close.  The hyena is all skin and bone.  The waterhole is dry so no animals come by.  Other than those damn, big, tough skinned, aggressive elephants.  With the soft underbelly.  Maybe, just maybe.  Next year will be different; if he survives.  Life on the savannah is taken one day at a time.  Tomorrow is yet another struggle.

Best UK Recruitment Blog 2009 - Sirona streaks ahead

Don't worry, no naked pictures (this time).

I did a blind poll late last week and according to the results Sirona is out of the trap first and streaking ahead with the most votes so far.  But does he have the staying power.  According to @saraheadworth he always talks a good talk but is always over well before Liverpool kick-off.  Maybe he will the same winter of discontent as Rafa.  Or will @billboorman get his fruit cake follower to add nasty comments to this blog to persuade you in his favour?

He may be ahead right now but there are another 4 weeks of play to go.  Don't let the blind poll lead you astray. 

Jedward may have gone (at long last) but Pandy are here to stay!!

Click here to vote.

Seth Godin may be wrong on this one?

Looks like Seth felt the urge to follow me (:>] in commenting on Rupert Murdoch thinking of blocking search engines from his site. 

Best UK Recruitment Blog 2009 - Come on refereeeeeee

What is it with the referee of this very serious competition.  Having asked for my blog to be given the correct name in the list I am still waiting for it to be corrected.  A slight of hand on Louise's keyboard and the outcome could be impacted fairly but, by ignoring my plea's for fairness she leaves me with no option but to play on and hope for the best.  In the meantime, I have notified FIFA of my concerns.

Help me avoid legal action against FIFA; click here to vote today.

UPDATE: The referee has listened to my plea for equality and corrected my blog name.  Is this just a ruse to get me off the conspiracy theory trail?

Corporate Recruiters Handbook: 20+ years knowledge in 1 place for FREE

As crazy as it may seem, I really am giving this Handbook away for free. 

Not only does it include everything I have learn't over the last 20+ years, but it also comes with an e-mail support programme that goes into more detail on a section-by-section basis.

For example, if SEO is something you want to know more about, the support programme includes various reports and webinars to take you from the initial assessment included in the Handbook to actually making the changes.

So pre-order your own personal copy today at www.hirestrategies.co.uk/handbook.

P.S. Postage and packing is also free to anywhere in the World - but only for the first few hundred so get yours quick!