FRIDAY FUN - A Completely Unscientific (Yet Accurate) Look at Social Sites

Check out the rest at:

http://brainz.org/completely-unscientific-yet-accurate-look-social-sites/

Includes Facebook, Digg, Reddit, Propeller, Slashdot, MySpace, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Have a great Friday!

GENERATION - The Hidden Gift Your Gen Y Employees Are Offering You

There are a lot of articles out there that tend to stereotype Generation Y (well, all the generations) and merely list the complaints about managing and handling them. I spotted a post on ere.net today that instead of just listing the generalizations about this particular generation tackled several concepts and how they can apply towards the management of all generations within the workplace. It was a great article with nice insight.

http://www.ere.net/2009/02/27/the-hidden-gift-your-gen-y-employees-are-offering-you/#more-6479

PRINT - LIWA Client Servicing Executives & Art Directors

Although this is for an ad agency the idea behind it is an interesting place to start when building your ad. What do the positions you need contribute? What would the workplace be like without them? Actively show how the candidates are needed and they might understand how you will value them.

DIRECT MAIL - "reative epartment"

via: jazarah.net

HR - 20 tips for motivating recession-weary workers

Whether you have a hiring freeze, salary cut backs or the office has just slowed down, it is important to continue to drive the employees into action and stay motivated. Although it might be a bit hard right now, The HR Specialist made a great post of 20 tips to consider when keeping your employees motivated despite current economic situations.

http://www.thehrspecialist.com/hrs_articles/homepage_featured/26329/20_tips_for_motivating_recession_weary_workers.hr

Thoughts on the tips?

UPDATE - Patriot Advertising Now on Twitter!

Want to keep an eye on what we are up to? Follow us on Twitter!
We will give a heads up when we make new postings on the blog and offer up a few extra links if we come across something that might be of interest.

Plus, we’re interested to hear your tweets too!

http://twitter.com/patriotjobs

ONLINE - E-Bay for Job Postings? Jobaphiles.com

The site is called Jobaphiles.com and right now they specifically cater to the Boston area and are only in their Beta stage. Other cities have posted on there already and they have a different way of handling their openings.

Employers post a free description of their job and they can either list the price range they are willing to pay or they let the potential employees bid on the projects/part-time work/full-time work. Employers are not required to hire anyone if they don’t like the bids or the quality of the applicants. They are also able to send private messages to candidates. Right now this style of the job board focuses on recent graduates and college students. One thing that stood out to me was the fact that employers are able to rate their employee on the website once the job is complete. Those who are bidding are also able to see other people’s responses.

This offers an interesting chance to reach out to those about to enter the job market and offer internships, paid/unpaid/lowest bid/best resume, and tap into the college talent pool.

While limited to Boston at this time, they do have an option to be notified when a Jobaphiles is available for their area.

What are your thoughts on this site? Have you come across anything like this before?

GOVERNMENT - MNPD & U.S. Army Reserve Sign Partnership Agreement

One of our salesmen at the company passed this along to me the other day.

Evidently the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department teamed up with the U.S. Army Reserve when it comes to recruiting officers. The police department will also be teaming up with the military in career fairs and recruiting seminars. Additional police departments in similar arrangements include Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Knoxville, New York City, Memphis, California Highway Patrol and Ft. Lauderdale.

http://www.police.nashville.gov/news/news/2008/1209_Metro_Army_Partnership.htm

NON-TRADITIONAL - Revita Beauty Centre

Clever play on Shiatsu massage technique. I wonder if anybody has ever tripped at the bottom of an escalator checking out this spa ad? Even if it takes a few snagged shoes, the message should get across in the 2 seconds passing.

via: AdGoodness

NON-TRADITIONAL - goodpeopleindia.com

Although the idea is unique I wonder if the website could be read if you were standing on the ground... It is a great alternative and probably a cheap alternative to really hit those that are already working near you. If they had a banner that extended down some that displayed the text larger I think it might have worked a little better. What are your thoughts?

via: adsoftheworld.com

NON-TRADITIONAL - The Best Job in the World!!!

Here is the print ad:

Check out the website: http://islandreefjob.com/

This is not necessarily straight recruitment advertising but more of a PR and branding move; but still, they are hiring... I wonder how hard all the people who are submitting their names are going to get pelted with marketing material later?

VIDEO - There’s No 45-minute Wait for This Video - Cheesecake Factory

http://www.monstervideoprofile.com/mvp/cheesecakefactory/
Found this video for the Cheesecake Factory via ere.net.
The video cost $30,000 and took about two months to produce. It is a 4 minute video and people normally stick around to watch until around 3:48 minutes. The 4 minute video has 4 topics it covers, devoting about 1 minute to each. Aside from posting online, those that are hired and are running through the new hire orientation watch the video. There is a reported average of 40,000 people watching the video per year.
What are your thoughts on the presentation? One thing that disappointed me some was the fact it was not on YouTube.com. Those that work there and blog could easily post it to show their friends and spread the word. It can, however, be found through Google Video.
via: http://www.ere.net/2009/02/13/theres-no-45-minute-wait-for-this-video/

ONLINE: Engaging Your Candidates with Blogs

http://www.ere.net/2009/02/12/engaging-your-candidates-with-blogs/
Came across this article about the benefits and what to expect when you start up a recruitment blog and it made some great points.

I think the strongest benefit of a corporate recruiting blog is the development of an open discussion and connection with your potential candidates. They are able to experience a different view point that might make them feel like they are already in the door and make them more comfortable when it comes time for the interview. Open blogs help tear down the initial hesitation you might find in applicants for certain fields as well. You can use them to dispel uncertainties and rumors about application processes while helping candidates realize that their potential careers are within reach.

GOVERNMENT - US Military Having Recruitment Bonanza in Hard Times

I was hunting around for information on military recruitment today and came across this post:

http://buzznewsroom.com/news/us-military-having-recruitment-bonanza-in-hard-times/

Military or not, emphasis on stability might be what candidates are really looking for right now.

VIDEO: Colbert: Discrimination More Difficult

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

Colbert Report Full Episodes
Funny Political News

Christian Bale Parody
Joke of the Day

VIDEO - If a 4½-year-old can work Vista, so can you

It's a dirty game as the Mac and PC wars continue. This time PC takes the upper hand and competes with Mac's user friendly interface. Mac's response...we'll have to wait and see.

Ad Freak- If a 4½-year-old can work Vista, so can you

HEALTHCARE - Healthcare Recruitment Trends for 2009

Stumbled across this article today about Healthcare Recruitment trends for 2008.

What are your thoughts on some of the stats?

How do they reflect with your current situation?

http://www.cheezhead.com/2009/01/14/ved-healthcare-recruitment-trends-for-2009/

NON-TRADITIONAL - IMPACT/BBDO Copy Writer Ad

This was a copy writer ad for IMPACT/BBDO in Abu Dhabi.
If anything, this would at least catch some attention... Although it makes me wonder how potential candidates would then look at the agency. Either way it is one of those that catches my eye and makes me laugh a little

HR - Salary Increases Weak, but High Performers Still Rewarded

This link offers a nice display of where Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the U.S. stand right now when it comes to salary, hiring, pay, layoffs, cuts and promotions in relation to each other.

The results are from a study held by Hewitt Associates while working with over 2,000 companies. Where would you say your company stands in respect to these numbers?

http://www.ere.net/2009/02/04/salary-increases-weak-but-high-performers-still-rewarded/

HR - Economic stimulus package targets HR issues

This is a nice article reviewing the effects that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1) would have.

It covers employment eligibility, health insurance, health care IT, unemployment benefits and worker training.

http://www.thehrspecialist.com/hrs_articles/homepage_featured/26034/Economic_stimulus_package_targets_HR_issues.hr

VIDEO - Obligatory Super Bowl Ad Post

Here is a list of some of the Super Bowl ads and users are able to vote for their favorite and least favorite. It is interesting to see that CareerBuilder currently ranks highest in both categories. Having viewed it several times now, I have fallen into the least favorite camp. However, whether I love it or hate it, I am going to remember who's commercial it is and that is what matters in the end.

http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-SUPERBOWL09.html?mod=dist_smartbrief