How to Use Buffer for Recruiting

How to Use Buffer for Recruiting The recruitment industry is heavily reliant on communication for its success and with so many competing agencies out there, it is increasingly important for recruiters to raise their profile and build a name for themselves. Therefore, the rise of social media has understandably revolutionised the way that recruiters function, allowing them to connect with the public and post industry updates and job ads quickly and efficiently. This is where Buffer comes in, making it even quicker and easier to share content than ever before, with a mere  click of a button. Introduction: If you haven’t heard of Buffer before, allow me to introduce you.  This handy addition to the social media world, is an automated social posting  application that allows you to schedule your social media updates and manage multiple network  accounts in one place, including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+ and App.net. To top this  off, its free and can be downloaded directly to your browser, including an easy access icon at the top right-hand-side of the screen, however, an upgrade is available to buy which allows you to sync additional accounts and schedule more posts in advance. Using the app is pretty easy;  basically once youve opened an article that you would like to share, all you need to do is click the Buffer icon and the relevant information is entered into a composer, which you are then  free to edit and select which networks you would like to share it with. Another one of Buffers  key feature is post scheduling, which allows you to predetermine when posts will be published throughout the day, based on an analysis of what time your previous posts have been the most successful. This enables you to  line up content to be automatically posted on one or more selected social media networks, without being required to sign in again. Handy,  right? How can this help  recruitment? Posting relevant articles about the industry and company updates is really important for a recruitment agency for creating and maintaining a positive representation for  the public and Buffer can help to speed up and simplify this. By  syncing all of your social media accounts with Buffer, you no longer need  worry about signing into each account individually, as by simply clicking on the Buffer icon at the top of the page, you can select one or multiple social media networks  you would like to share the content with simultaneously, saving time and effort. Perfect for that occasion you stumble across an absolute gem of an article you would like to share or desperately need to find candidates for a job you are working on, but have 101 other things on your to do’ list.  After all,  if  you’ve had the experience of working in recruitment, you will know well that time is of the essence and as important as connecting with your target market is there isn’t always the time to do so . This is where Buffer’s scheduling feature can save the day, enabling you to  set up content to be posted on each of your accounts at predetermined times, without being required to sign in repeatedly throughout the day, meaning your account remains updated and fluid.  Social media is an  incredibly  useful  tool for sourcing candidates, with it playing a large role in  daily life for so many and so by scheduling staggered job adverts at  different times, you can reach  the maximum number of potential candidates logging in throughout the day. Conclusion: To round up, Buffer is definitely an application that I would recommend, as it can provide huge benefits in terms of time efficiency and maintaining your social media presence. Scheduling tweets can ensure that your desired content is circulated and you neednt worry about taking time out from other tasks  or having to remember to update your accounts throughout the day. The shortcut icon couldnt make it easier to share articles as you go, meaning your social media management couldnt be simpler, so why not give it a go yourself?

How to Use Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to Find a Job

How to Use Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to Find a Job Social media has is playing a vital role in boosting job search. Are you too benefiting from the popular social networking tools that have become a rage these days? Well, not only jobseekers but employers as well are garnering the benefits of social media for finding suitable candidates. Among other social media platforms, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are the three most popular social networking websites that you can use to boost your job searching process. To make the most of these social networking tools, you need to be informed of the strategic ways for networking your way into a job or career of your interest. Given below are some important tips on how to use social media for maximum benefit in your job search. Have a look. Let People Know You Are Searching for a Job It is a good idea to keep people in your network informed that you are looking for a job. It’s even better to let them know what type of job you are looking for. Whether you are using Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, tell people that you in search of a job position. If you keep them informed, they will keep you in mind and tell you as soon as a new position opens up. The job information that you get from your contacts can really boost your job search. Don’t Be Afraid of Networking with Friends on Facebook As compared to social media websites like Twitter and LinkedIn, Facebook happens to be more powerful when it comes to connecting with friends, co-workers and colleagues. Friends that know you on Facebook will be more helpful in finding you a job you are looking for or providing you with some valuable job related information. Spend some good networking with friends on Facebook. Make Your Facebook Profile Private The profile information that you fill out on Facebook is visible to everyone by default. If you don’t want employers to see your personal updates, you can set your profile to private. All you need to do is go to ‘Account’, click Privacy Settings and choose ‘Friends Only’. In this way, only those with who you are friends on Facebook will be able to see your personal updates and profile information. Search for Information about Hiring Managers These days almost every large employer is on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. To boost your job hunting, you can first find information about the employers you have targeted. Smart employers will certainly keep their Facebook profile private. However, you can search for the information on other social networking websites and be informed about the new job openings coming up. In addition, you can dig out more valuable details about your targeted employers. Hyperlink Your Resume Also remember to add the link to your personal profile on Twitter and LinkedIn. This helps employers to find your contact information if they are willing to get in touch with you. Don’t add a link to your Facebook profile, as it is private available only to your friends. Keeping profile information on Facebook private also shows employers that you are internet savvy. Many employers appreciate this skill. Create Facebook Lists Facebook allows users to create multiple lists, according to individual requirements. So you can create separate lists for friends and professional contacts. In this way, your professional contacts will have access to only that information that you want them to see. To create a new list on Facebook, you can go to Account, then Friends and then click Create a New List. Facebook allows you to set your privacy settings according to your requirements. This is a good strategy to be adopted by jobseekers in search of jobs. Get Found on Google If you want employers to find relevant information when they Google your name, you need to be active on all the above mentioned social media websites including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Fill out your profile information on all these sites carefully including the industry-related keywords as well. If you have a completely filled out job profile on these sites, employers will find your profile information in the top Google rankings. So, if you haven’t yet created your profiles on popular social media sites, go and create the same now. At the same time be active on the networks and spend some good time connecting with your network of friends for maximum job search benefits. Author: James Tomerson writes regularly on career, education and latest job trends. To read more from him, you can visit Jobdiagnosis.com, which also offers jobseekers a free career aptitude test to choose a career which is in tune with their career, aptitude and skills.

Culture Is a Four-Letter Word

Culture Is a Four-Letter Word The following is a guest post by by Steven L. Blue.  His bio follows. When I started to write this article I originally titled it “Culture Is Not a Four Letter Word.” It was intended to address the CEO’s who think culture is a squishy, beer for lunch, feel good concept that doesn’t deserve a place at the grown-ups table. I wanted to demonstrate how wrong-thinking that can be and make the case for the power of culture and why it should be at the top of every CEO’s list. I was prepared to make a compelling case to convince CEO’s that culture is every bit as important as strategic planning. And I was ready to cite all kinds of studies and dazzling statistics that prove that positive cultures create positive financial performance. But now I know I don’t have to thanks to a four-letter word: Uber. Uber’s toxic culture is front and center this week in the news. Toxic Culture According to recent reports, Uber has engaged in everything from sexual harassment to stealing driverless technology from Google. Even some of its own investors claim the company fosters a toxic culture. There is that four-letter word again. You know, the beer for lunch, don’t bother with culture mind-set. Culture can be a four-letter word if it is ignored. Culture can be a four-letter word if its is toxic. And toxic cultures kill more businesses than recessions. And it is liable to kill Uber too. So what went wrong with Uber? How can a company that claims its values are “making communities safer” and “standing up for its driver community” go so horribly wrong? That is because those are only what I call “bumper sticker” values. Values that look good in an annual report but have no real meaning inside the company. Wells Fargo is a perfect example of this. Two of Wells Fargo’s key values are “ethics” and “what’s right for customers”. And yet they defrauded their customers by creating over 2 million ghost accounts. There is often a difference between bumper sticker slogans and the real values that lie beneath. Value statements are always warm and fuzzy. But a company’s real values are manifested by how they act, not how they claim they act. And at the end of the day, the culture is nothing more than a collection of values. And values dictate how employees will behave. Such was the case with Wells Fargo. Such is the case with Uber. If you’re a CEO, don’t wait until an Uber-like disaster strikes before you do a values check-up. But don’t have the human resource people ask employees what the company values are. Don’t declare what you think the values are and expect people to behave accordingly. That never works. Here is what you should and shouldn’t do: Do not make this an exercise for the human resource department. If it is to be taken seriously, it has to come right from the top. People need to know that values matter. Have an outside professional survey company conduct an anonymous survey and ask every single employee in complete confidence what they think the company values are. You may be astounded by the results. If the underlying values are not the same as the bumper sticker, find out why. What is driving the difference? Chances are you’ll find operating managers are the root cause. Or you might be the root cause. As an example, many operating managers don’t give a hoot about anything other than results. Of course results matter. No company can prosper without positive results.   But results without appropriate values are often temporary, or in the case of Wells, only illusory. Reality check time. Does your company have the “right” values? By that I mean values that serve your employees, customers, community, and shareholders equally. Values that form what I call a “culture by design, not default”. If not, it’s time to change them. Let’s assume you have the “right” values (you may, but I doubt it). Start at the top and go layer by layer. Those that don’t believe in, won’t abide by, or demonstrate the values have to go. This sounds simple, but it is not easy. But it is essential. If your top managers ignore the values everyone else will. This is a multi-year process that you must undertake carefully and delicately, otherwise the business will crash and burn. Take it one step at a time, one manager at a time. Once you start replacing managers for values reasons, the whole organization will begin to behave differently. People will applaud you for doing so. Don’t let anybody in the front door that doesn’t fit in with your values. Interview potential new employees with values in mind. Don’t just state the values and ask if they agree. Of course they will agree, they want the job. Ask them what their values are. Ask them what values they would admire in a company. If their values don’t match with company values, don’t hire them. No matter how good they are. Otherwise, they will be like an infectious disease on the organization. Bottom line, make values a key part of performance evaluation. Don’t make this a check off the box exercise. Make values the standard for promotions and compensation increases. And make values a key determinate in terminations. By instilling the right set of values, youll save your company from becoming a four-letter word too. Steven L Blue Steven L. Blue is the President CEO of Miller Ingenuity, an innovative company revolutionizing traditional safety solutions for railway workers, and author of the new book, American Manufacturing 2.0: What Went Wrong and How to Make It Right. For more information, please visitwww.SteveBlueCEO.com, www.milleringenuity.com and connect with Blue on Twitter, @SteveBlueCEO.

What a No-Deal Brexit Would Mean for Recruiters

What a No-Deal Brexit Would Mean for Recruiters The possibility of a no-deal Brexit has created a level of uncertainty across businesses in the UK during the past few months. However, in the business support sector, I don’t believe we will see much change in the face of this possibility: over the course of the last few years since the referendum, we’ve continued to experience stability across the board and are yet to see any ill effect. I believe that people will continue to do business in the UK, regardless of what transpires on October 31st. Obviously, I can’t comment on sectors outside of our specialist remit but, from what I’m seeing on the ground, there are a few key factors that will minimize its effect on recruiters in our sector. Resilience in the market The minimal effect in recruitment activity is due, in part, to a record low unemployment rate of 76.1%, and the current candidate short market. Quality recruiters should continue to be sought after as employers battle it out in the war for quality talent. This is evidenced by the fact that, in the last eight months, Tiger Recruitment has had its two best-performing months on record, and the business overall has grown year-on-year since the Brexit announcement. With this in mind, I don’t expect that the Brexit decision will have any negative impact on our business growth. Businesses are prepared Businesses should already be operating in accordance with their Brexit contingency plan, including the possibility of a no-deal Brexit. This may include changing the way they do business or diversifying their operations. At Tiger, we’ve expanded our offering to minimize our exposure to possible future declines, as well as gain traction in the markets where we anticipate growth. We’ve undertaken market research and built stronger client ties, reflecting the shift in business operations to major cities in Europe. Of course, recruitment is such a competitive sector so it’s critical to always look for ways to stand out from the pack. Thinking outside the box and offering ways to keep candidates and clients engaged will safeguard organizations against adverse business conditions. The market adapts We have continued to see businesses grow here in the UK which reflects a significant recruitment demand across the many industries we deal with, from tech firms to the private family offices. While some of our clients have increased their presence in Europe and further afield, few have actually taken the plunge to move their operations abroad. Perhaps surprising for some, this has meant that, on the ground, there has been minimal change. The key thing here is to ensure that businesses evolve with the times and take advantage of market opportunities, even in the face of Brexit uncertainty. As we approach the deadline Some agencies, dependent on the sector they recruit in and the nature of their clients, may see more of an effect than others. Their customers may hesitate to press the button on hires in the days leading up to the deadline, however, I don’t anticipate this is to be a common occurrence. All in all, if a business in our sector has a contingency plan in place to prepare for a no-deal Brexit and takes advantage of opportunities to diversify, there should be very little effect on recruitment activity.

5 great eats in Bournemouth - Debut for students and graduates

5 great eats in Bournemouth - Debut for students and graduates This post was written by an external contributor. Olivia Church gives some recommendations  to any students or grads who are looking for somewhere to eat in Bournemouth.   Finding somewhere good to eat is a problem, especially when you don’t know an area very well. You want to be able to go somewhere that you can trust and enjoy with friends and family. Bournemouth is far from the typical fish and chip destination that you might envision. I would advise anyone visiting to stay away from fast-food chains and instead explore all the independent restaurants. The following restaurants will suit a variety of budgets and distances in and around town whether you are planning on just a visit or are considering making this your home for the next 3 years or so (hi to any Bournemouth Freshers out there!). Seafood with a view: Westbeach Food tends to taste better when you’re the one that doesn’t have to pay for it! This is why a stroll to Westbeach  restaurant is the ideal place to bring parents and relatives along if you fancy a taste of locally sourced seafood. Its not the most student friendly restaurant in the area, but they have crafted a menu that accommodates to everyone. From a fine diner, to someone just looking for a classic fish finger sandwich. With open doors to the decked terrace and sea, Westbeach proudly enlists local talent to play music live in the evenings, it’s like a classy fish and chip shop just without the wooden forks. Opening hours: Monday â€" Saturday 9:00am 11:00pm // Sunday 9:00am-10:00pm Address:  Pier Approach, Bournemouth, Dorset,  BH2 5AA Drinks and chill: The Cosy Club The Cosy Club is full of character. The quirky art-deco interiors make this place a welcoming, intimate and Instagram-worthy space to either bring or leave work behind. With two floors of old-fashioned tables and arm chairs, youre sure to have a place to relax. Some of the food is themed to coincide with the building’s heritage. Apart from a fantastic range of burgers, sandwiches, and sharing options, vegan and vegetarian dishes are also available here. Check out their ‘Marvellous Mondays’, where the toughest day of the week can turn out to be not so tough with free drink when you order any main meal. What’s more is that between Sundays and Thursday evenings (4pm-8pm), you can purchase two delicious cocktails for just under £10. I would personally recommend the English Garden cocktail! Opening hours: Sunday Wednesday 9:00am-11:00pm // Thursday 9:00am 12:00am // Friday Saturday 9:00am-1:00am Address:  34 Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth,  BH1 1LG For light lunches and time travel: Steam Vintage Tea Rooms If you are prepared to trek a little out of town, Steam Vintage Tea Rooms will be well worth the walk. Upon entering the tea room, its  a step back in time with original sheet music on the piano downstairs and the likes of Glenn Miller and Nina Simone can be heard singing in the background. Everything is served on vintage china and all food is all homemade. The tea rooms have a range of breakfast options to rival big chain restaurants. It may be small in size, but its charming, quaint and well lit. A proper afternoon tea here is £12.95 pp and is beautifully presented on a multi-layered cake tray with a pot of tea or coffee. Alternatively, a selection of sandwiches and other dainty treats aren’t going to put your dangerously out of pocket. If that isn’t enough, if you or a group of people all write a review on TripAdvisor,  you get 10% off your bill or a free piece of cake to eat there or take home! Opening hours: Monday â€" Friday 11:30am â€" 4:30pm // Saturday â€" Sunday 11:30am â€" 5:00pm Address:  47 Poole Hill, Bournemouth BH2 5PW For top-class tapas: Tapas Plus Tucked away from the busyness of the town, Tapas Plus is one of Bournemouth’s hidden gems. This family-run business was already fully booked when I went there and was subsequently shown the door â€" so it is really that popular! Bournemouth Town is bursting with a variety of cuisines, but tapas has definitely become a firm favourite. In true Spanish style, expect everything from whole prawns in garlic to spicy potatoes and slight embarrassment when trying to pronounce your order to the waiter or waitress. This would be a great place if a student house wanted to go out for a meal together. Opening hours:  Monday â€" Saturday 12:00pm â€" 10:00pm // Closed on Sundays Address:  53 Bourne Avenue, Bournemouth BH2 6DW Not your average pizza place: Bournemouth Pizza Company Bournemouth Pizza Company is a bit of a hipster when it comes to food. Unlike many fast food restaurants in town, this company looks a little Scandinavian in appearance â€" but when you take pride in making food that is made with fresh ingredients and is fired in a traditional wood oven, perhaps you’re entitled to be a little bit alternative. One offer they have is buy any two pizzas and get the cheapest one free on a Tuesday (collection only). It’s also an ideal spot if you travel to Bournemouth by train as it is only a 4-minute walk from the station. For those intending to stay in this part of the world a little longer, you’ll be pleased to know that they also provide delivery. Wednesday’s are a chance for you to order any 2 pizzas, a side and 2 soft drinks for £22 plus if you spend that amount, you can get a free helping of garlic bread with your order! Opening hours:  Monday â€" Sunday 12:00pm â€" 2:30pm, 5:00pm  â€" 10:30pm Address:  44 St. Swithuns Rd, Bournemouth, BH1 3RJ Connect with Debut on  Facebook,  Twitter,  and  LinkedIn  for more careers insights.

Counter Offers 7 Reasons to Just Say NO - Pathfinder Careers

Counter Offers 7 Reasons to Just Say NO - Pathfinder Careers Counter Offers: 7 Reasons to Just Say NO This blog post is generously provided by Connie Dorigan, president of Dorigan Associates, a high-tech talent recruiting firm. _______________________________ Congratulations!  Youve managed to hold on to your job through the Great Recession and are  feeling fortunate to be employed and indeed you are. But recently, you started exploring the job market just to see what is  out there. Then, lo and behold, you run across a position with a company that is everything youve ever wantedmore pay, good management, exciting products, and tons of upside potential. After going through the application and interview process, and after a lot of careful consideration, you have decided to accept the offer. Building up your courage,  on Friday afternoon you walk into your bosss office to hand in your resignation. You explain the opportunity is too good to pass up, and announce your departure date. What happens next is something you are completely unprepared for:  Your boss  presents a  counter offer, which means that they really want to keep you. From the boss response, it is clear that they had no idea you were looking. (Really? Hadnt they noticed that your wardrobe had suddenly improved and you were taking longer lunches fairly frequently?) The offer includes  more money, a newer computer, an extra week of vacation if youll just reconsider. Confusion sets in, and  you start  mulling it over. Maybe the your current work situation isnt so bad after all. You wouldnt have to prove yourself at the new company, nor have to learn how to navigate around their corporate culture. Plus, youd earn more money for doing exactly what youve been doing all along. But STOP! 7 Reasons to Just Say NO! This kind of emotional thinking could be very dangerous to your career. Consider whats really driving your employers response 1.) Your decision was made long ago, when you first decided to look for a new job. Something motivated you to look. What was it? Whatever the reason was, that reason still exists. Staying with your current position will only prolong the inevitable. 2.) If your employer was sincere about retaining you, they would have taken steps to keep you long before you handed in your resignation. Likely youve been unhappy for quite some time. Why did you have to threaten to resign before someone noticed? 3.) Fear is the number one reason an employer makes a counter offer, the fear of having to re-hire and re-train your replacement. It will take effort and a minimum of six to eight weeks to find your replacement, and there are no guarantees that your replacement will work out. Youre a proven commodity; your replacement is not. 4.) Replacing you is risky business. Your boss will do or say what ever it takes to minimize the risk, until it suits them to do otherwise. Consider whats in your best interest. 5.) Accepting a counter offer can be hazardous to your career and your character. Although, it might seem unfair, some might believe you can be bought, you are indecisive, and /or could walk out at the most inopportune times. 6.) Accepting a counter offer, while reasonable enough,  can send a ripple through  the  team. The relationships that you now enjoy with your co-workers may never be the same. The news of your interviews and decision to stay will eventually leak out. Peers will wonder if they can count on you, and may resent that you have one more week of paid vacation, or a new computer. Think  about it: they could start assuming that you possibly got the part of the budget that was supposed to be their raise. 7.) According to the Wall Street Journal, in more than 90 percent of the cases where people accept counter offers, they end up fired, laid-off, or at least looking for a new job within six to twelve months. Making a clean professional exit The best way to avoid a counter offeris to state that after much deliberation, your decision is final. Thats it. Incorporate your decision into your letter of resignation as well as verbalizing it to your manager. No need to be unpleasant. Deliver the news and reiterate that you will do what ever it takes to make the transition easy for them. Putting the focus on them and away from you will allow them to process your resignation and move forward more easily. Congratulations for making the effort and taking the risk to grow, personally and professionally.

How to Prepare an Amazing Resume for Your Job Interview

How to Prepare an Amazing Resume for Your Job InterviewThe first step in preparing for your job interview is to write an amazing resume. In this article I will reveal some ideas on how to prepare a good resume. This should be done early in the job hunt process and should include most of the important information about you that employers are likely to see when they evaluate your application. I will also offer some tips on what kind of resume you can create yourself.There are no rules that dictate the format or type of a true resume, but many people prefer a neat one-page form letter in Microsoft Word. To avoid repeating words or phrases from the cover letter, you may use a common abbreviation. For example, when you are writing a cover letter, you may consider adding a key phrase, such as the company's web address.The next thing you want to do is write the resume. Your employer has probably already seen hundreds of your previous work samples and is looking for someone who does not do a s much writing as they do. If you have many samples to show your employer, they may ask for a description of what it is that you have done. Also, you may need to include information that is not contained in your previous sample job descriptions.When you are creating your resume, it is a great idea to list your skills and accomplishments before listing your qualifications. People who look for a new job often take the time to check qualifications, but they do not spend that time checking out the skills you have used. For example, if you are a good salesperson, you will want to include that information, but you will not need to mention how many sales you made last year.Creating an excellent resume is not about just filling it out in a rigid way. Your resume should show you are interested in learning and are excited about the job you are applying for. Be as brief as possible, but make sure that you are using the appropriate keywords tocatch the employer's attention.If you are already in a dream career, don't put it on your resume. That kind of stuff gets thrown away, and if you apply, you will not get the job that you want anyway. As long as you have a decent idea of what you want to do, listing all of your positions on your resume will help it stand out from other resumes.Creating an incredible resume requires not only brainstorming with your friends and family, but it also requires spending some time writing. If you use Microsoft Word, it is not difficult to create a great resume that shows you are interested in the job you are applying for.