Sirona Says

Search Me - this looks good!!

Thanks to Debbie Weil's for this find, and publicising on Twitter today. This IS a good way to search on the web - it is a fantastically visual way of showing search results.

Go to Search Me and find out yourself!

How do Generation Y'ers and Generation Z'ers communicate?

This may surprise you (it certainly did me) that mobile texting didn't come out top in this survey, especially the way my daughters use their mobiles!! Habbo's Global Youth Survey looked at generation Y and generation Z teenagers - particularly aged 11-18 - to see how they communicate with other people (friends, family etc). Here are the ways they communicate:

1. Instant Messaging via internet  81%
2. Meeting in person   77%
3. Text Messages   70%
4. Talking on the phone   60%
5. Social Networking sites  54%
6. Email   41%

So as an employer looking to tap into this market, it does make interesting reading. Although the surprising one at the bottom is email with only 41%, it must be said that 72% of them do hold current email accounts but only use them for non-personal communication like school, work and family(!!!).

Twitter got me in the end!

Ok, I have to admit it I thought this Twitter thing was just a fad of social networking and something that would blow over! How wrong I was!  In the space of 20 minutes this morning, I had the social media evangelist - Peter Gold, banging on to me about Twitter and how good it was, then as if by magic, the latest post from Louise of UK Recruiter arrived in inbox on (check out Caroline Middlebrook's guide that she mentions)...........you've guessed it, Twitter!!

So having explored it in more detail, I realised that there could be something in this and took the plunge to experience what everyone is talking about. So follow me and lets see where this goes!! Here is my debut tweet.

After all if the marketing guru Seth Godin, is preaching about it then there must be something in it!

Has Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) been around longer than we realise?

Are the principles of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), a key part of today's web world in terms of Search Engine Marketing (SEM), really that innovative? Compare them to the 'old analogue world' style and see what you think.

Three of the most important aspects of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) are;

1. Don’t do anything to upset the Search Engines means  in 'old world' parlance Play a straight game
2. Make sure that you’ve got good unique content means  in 'old world' parlance Offer things that add value
3. Do your best to link with other quality and relevant sites means  in 'old world' parlance Hang around and network with interesting people

Is the theory behind SEO that new after all? Admittedly it has been brought up to date, but the underlying concept is no different is it, if you consider the end game?

Videojug - the award winning 'How to' video website - awesome!!

For all you video junkies - here is an award winning site that you can actually learn from. Videojug, is a wealth of 'How To' produced videos and covers over 20 subject groups. From Food & Drink to Technology & Gadgets to Sports & Fitness and even Love & Sex  (yes that is correct!!).

But the most important section for jobs and recruitment, is their Jobs & Careers section (shown here).

This is really a very good video site with some great content.

Strangest job of the week - Getting paid to go to the Pub!!

Do you like a drink and a chat about sport (particularly golf and football)? Then you just may be the ideal applicants for this job advertised last week. Michael Hammond advertised for a drinking companion at £7 per hour (plus expenses) for his father!!  So you get paid to drink and talk - can't be bad can it??
So why is Michael going to this extreme? They have recently moved house and they left behind his father's normal drinking partner. So rather than depriving his 88 year old father of the thing he enjoys the most, they are seeking a new drinking partner for Jack!
So if you are interested - he lives in Hampshire and you can email them to apply.

The only surprise is that only 4 people have applied so far!!!

Nothing like a free plug!

Nothing like a bit of self promotion, as well as advertising a good local business publication. Business Matters is a well thought out and highly credible monthly business paper for the business community in the south east (UK). They are now online starting with this months issue. Check out page 9!

As a writer for them each month on recruitment related subjects, it would be wrong of me not to give it some airtime, wouldn't it?

Xobni - a great new aid to networking

Some 'Tefal Heads' have really excelled here with a very clever and powerful plugin for Outlook. It is also very aptly named - Xobni - inbox backwards. This is worth checking out - you won't miss another network contact with this in your inbox!!. The video below is self explanitory.

Want a smile - check out this fantastic & creative website

This has got absolutely nothing to do with recruitment, but this website is fantastic. Stick with it and just watch it, as there is more and more and more!! Obviously a very clever web designer got bored!! Even though it is in Dutch, don't worry it isn't needed!

Now, how can we apply the same concept to some recruitment sites.......................

Big fat retainers - the new insurance policy?

Everyone has heard the phrase, 'your reputation precedes you', but what if clients engaged you with large retainers for work they hope you won't do? What a nice job to have! Well a lady in the news currently is the top lawyer Fiona Shackleton, who recently defended Sir Paul McCartney against the viper tongued Heather Mills.

Her reputation does go before her and with a successful track record of winning high profile divorce cases (including two royal ones), she has found herself in an enviable position. A number of the worlds super-rich men actually retain Fiona's services (with huge retainers no doubt!) long before their marriage is even in trouble!!! Why, I hear you ask?  Simple really - it is their form of contingency insurance. It is aimed at stopping their wives using the formidable services of Fiona Shackleton, should the worst happen and they divorce!!

So before she is even needed, she has the pleasure of raising large invoices for work that may never happen!!  Is that a display of great business sense from these well-'healed men' or just extreme paranoia?