Vend’s use of the F-bomb in a job advert got lots of air time across various social channels recently. So much so that it probably helped them attract the right type of applicants and no doubt they’re close to making a great hire by now…fancy that eh? We’re increasingly told nowadays that us recruiters are more marketeers than HR types (praise the Lord), so the notion of using some kind of shock tactic to attract more attention to your vacancy kind of makes sense to me.
A London recruitment firm took this approach to the next level recently. Innovative Career Solutions tried to live up to their name by referencing the erotic film Secretary in their job ad for a….Secretary…:
“Secretary required in Mayfair. Stockings optional! £35k. Ready to assume the position?”
A supposed backlash on Twitter no doubt did more to fuel and elevate the recruitment company’s vacancy, and profile in general, than any seriously-worded job ad ever would. Whatever your individual sensitivities around this tactic, I have to say that “assume the position” must be one of the finest double-entendres to ever feature in a job advert though.
In less shocking recruitment marketing news, our mole who infiltrated the Randstad Awards last night tells me that this year’s winners were Department of Conservation, TVNZ and NZ Customs Service. Apparently 8000 New Zealanders were surveyed around what brand or business they would like to work for. Quite the social experiment, and a clear triumph for working outdoors and the TV show Border Patrol. Who needs bean bags and free gym memberships?
Remember it’s the #RicePowWow next Thursday evening too. As I find myself constantly saying the same thing every time, I’ll just say it on the blog now: You don’t need an invitation to come. If you’re in the New Zealand recruitment industry, then this is a networking event for you. Please go here to RSVP and I look forward to seeing you next week, along with #GetIn boys Mark Sumner and Matt Pontin who will be talking about their new consulting service, and also a great campaign for the Cancer Society they are running. #GetIn and #GetInvolved.
Happy Friday.
