Is social media recruitment right for your business?

There have always been ways of recruiting that go beyond the simple job advert in a newspaper, or in more recent years, an online job board. For as long as recruitment companies in Northern Ireland like Webrecruit Ireland have existed, employers have also depended on the likes of internal recommendations and 'word of mouth'.

However, there's no question that this is the big moment for social media recruiting. For some companies, it's their sole means of advertising externally for jobs.

But is it the most suitable route for your own company?

Does social media give you the right audience?

For some Northern Ireland businesses, social media recruiting is a godsend. If they're on social media already and have a bank of loyal followers with an interest in their products or services, they've already got a great pool of people to hire from.

Some companies, though - especially the bigger brands - find that advertising vacancies on social media brings too overwhelming and untargeted a response. They simply get drowned in irrelevant CVs, making a more discreet advert in a relevant publication a better strategy.

Public or private?

On one hand, there's no doubting the speed and convenience of being able to write a job advert and post it to Facebook or Twitter in minutes, without paying a thing. But would a higher level of discretion be better?

We aren't just referring to the tendency to get bombarded with hundreds of CVs when you make your vacancies more public. We're referring to the fact that many companies would rather not let such social media followers as current or potential clients know that there's upheaval at the moment in the personnel department.

You may be advertising for a role that has had a high turnover lately, which if prospective applicants notice, might deter them from applying. Remember that social media recruitment adverts carry your brand, so everyone will know that your company is the one hiring.

Make the most of social media

One thing's for sure - social media recruiting is here to stay. As one of the most respected recruitment companies in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, Webrecruit Ireland can help you to decide whether it's the most suitable route for your own next hiring campaign.

Editor’s Note: Webrecruit Ireland (http://www.webrecruitireland.com) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

5 things to remember when rehiring a former employee

Picture the scene... you're sifting through those CVs, and a name pops out - it's someone who's worked for your company before. What's more, they did a pretty good job last time. They're probably a safe bet then, right? There won't be too much training to do, and they already know your business, possibly inside out.

Mind you, there can be some pitfalls when rehiring a familiar face. The leading recruitment consultant in Exeter, Webrecruit, gives you some valuable tips for making the rehiring process as thorough and professional as possible.

1. Don't accept just any former staffer

Sure, you can save on training and even advertising costs when you rehire a past employee of yours. But are you rehiring for the right reasons? Would you still recruit them if they were a brand new candidate, or are you being guided by mere convenience?

2. Research the candidate thoroughly

Don't skimp on the essential research into the candidate, just because you know them. For one thing, they might have changed a lot since they last worked for you, so check those references. But also look back at how they performed when they were with you - even ask their former managers if they're still at your firm.

3. Ask the right interview questions

The fact that you're considering rehiring someone shouldn't mean that you treat them lightly at interview. In particular, ask them why they left your firm in the first place, why they want to come back and what would make them leave again. You don't want them to depart again as soon as they get a better offer, so scrutinise their motivations for returning.

4. Explain how the business has changed

Yes, companies do change between a returning employee's spells there, and before you rehire them, they should be told about those changes. They shouldn't be left with the impression that they are returning to the exact same business, or necessarily even the same job, as its responsibilities and workload may have also changed.

5. Keeping checking how they are doing

You'll want your ex-employee to make a smooth transition into working for you again, but bear in mind that they may hesitate to ask for help compared to a brand new employee, due to fears of sounding like they don't know what they're doing. That's why it's so important to keep checking on your staffer and let them know that you're available if they need any assistance.

Whether you're hiring someone for the first, second or third time, with Webrecruit as your recruitment consultant in Exeter, you can ensure that you're making the right choice.

Editor’s Note: Webrecruit (http://www.webrecruit.co.uk) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

Don't overlook our gorgeous fishing cottages in Somerset

There can truly be few more beautiful parts of the world than rural Somerset, and for those who are yet to be converted, all that it takes is one look at the highly in-demand fishing cottages in Somerset of Waterside Breaks, to say nothing of the abundance of further-flung local attractions.

Our cottages in this delectable part of England do not merely appeal to those looking for the most relaxing fishing break. Loved-up couples, families with children and even adventurous singles seeking a slice of the tranquil also frequently enquire about them, and with good reason. Here at Waterside Breaks, after all, we can offer stays at the much sought-after Lakeview Cottages in Huntworth, near Bridgwater.

These luxury four star cottages are set in the peaceful surroundings of a gorgeous canal and a private twelve-acre fishing lake. Stunning views over this lake can be enjoyed from the rear of these three bedroom properties that sleep six, and it goes without saying that this spot is a fisher's paradise, with the different species able to be caught here including Carp, Koi, Pike, Bream and Roach.

However, the additional twelve acres of private woodland and lakes also makes these fishing cottages in Somerset irresistible living quarters for those wishing to enjoy all of the abundance of nature, from plants and insects to fish and birds. Although you could spend your entire break wandering through this woodland to your heart's content, the close proximity to the cottages of the famous canal and riverside towpaths between Bridgwater and Taunton ensures even more opportunity for gentle walking or cycling.

Of course, there will always be some people staying at our fishing cottages in Somerset who are more on the adventurous side, and who are therefore likely to welcome the challenging terrains for off-road biking that are the Quantocks and Blackdown Hills. All of this is without even considering the nearby charming market towns that simply beg to be explored, and where you will find highly hospitable village pubs serving delicious traditional food.

The Lakeview cottages themselves are naturally formidable in their specifications, being as outwardly full of character as they are contemporary in style on the inside. For those with mobility requirements, two of the single storey lodges have been adapted with wheelchair-accessible kitchen work surfaces and a wet room with shower and hand rails.

Search the Waterside Breaks website today for availability and pricing information pertaining to our fishing cottages in Somerset, as well for other lakeside fishing holidays.

Make Vantage PR your complete technology PR agency

There's no question of what a monumental difference technology has made to all sectors of the economy in merely the last decade or so. Never before has communication been so instant, far-reaching and international, which has had vast implications for business and society. Anything and everything is being talked about online - and your company is not exempt from this.

On one hand, technological developments over the last few years have created new, powerful channels for reaching the right audiences. But on the other hand, these channels can be used in ways that cause great reputational damage to your company. It shouldn't be too surprising, therefore, that the need has arisen for companies to be more proactive in managing their public reputations, in partnership with the right technology PR agency.

There are many reasons why Vantage Public Relations is precisely that PR agency. The company does, after all, combine some two decades of B2B and B2C public relations experience with an invaluable grounding in the digital PR and social media of today's corporate marketing landscape. All sizes of business in the UK are catered for, with our ability to address the most specific needs reflected in our excellent record of client retention.

As one might expect of a truly 21st century technology PR agency, Vantage PR's ability to make the most of online resources is integral to this record. With it now widely acknowledged that the Internet is as valid a media channel as magazines, newspapers and broadcast mediums, Vantage PR has far-reaching expertise in the effective promotion of client businesses online, which helps to boost search engine rankings as well as enhancing a firm's all-round reputation.

We know how to extract the maximum potential from the full breadth of digital tools, from SEO, social media and link building to email marketing and e-newsletters, to the end of boosting website traffic and generating a greater number of quality sales enquiries. Whether you talk to us about social media strategy and campaigns, e-shots and e-newsletters, blogs and editorial or website advice and management, we'll carefully plan and build a coherent digital communication strategy that has equal, or even greater power than a traditional offline PR campaign.

Talk to Vantage PR today about why we really are the complete technology PR agency.

How Tuffa can address your every need from a domestic heating oil tank

A heating oil tank is nothing less than an essential purchase for many of those households that are not coupled up to the UK's mains gas network, and that therefore require a means of storing oil on their own property's grounds. This oil is used by such households as fuel to heat water, for both their hot water systems and the general heating of their property.

However, there is a list of important practical, financial and even legal requirements that such homeowners will need to consider in choosing a heating oil tank. The tank that you buy will need to be not only well-priced, but also capable of lasting for many years with minimal maintenance. Much deliberation is required in selecting a tank that is suitable for your home, not just in terms of the finer specification, but also size.

It is recommended to allow an oil capacity of around 500 litres for each of your home's bedrooms, meaning that a two bedroom property will require a tank with a minimum 1,000 litre capacity, a three bedroom home at least 1,500 litres and so on. By choosing the right capacity of tank, you will be able to store as much as is needed to take advantage of the lower prices for fuel that tend to occur in the summer, the time of lowest demand.

Take a look at the current heating oil tank range here at Tuffa to discover the full breadth of possibilities. If this is your first time making such a purchase for your home, you may not have expected to be able to choose from capacities as low as 1,350 litres, or as high as 15,000 litres. Nor may you have been aware of such available optional extras as fire protection, high accuracy gauges or custom outlet positioning.

Such is our commitment to providing you with a heating oil tank that meets your most specific demands, that there are even various colour and high security options. Our bunded heating oil tanks meet all conceivable functional requirements, their specification encompassing the likes of an inspection lid, manway access, lockable cabinet and overfill prevention valve, depending on the exact choice of model. They also comply with all current UK oil storage regulations.

Whether you require a heating oil tank for a domestic, commercial or agricultural application, as well as for a new build or existing building, you can have the utmost peace of mind when you buy yours from Tuffa.

Editor’s Note: Tuffa (http://www.tuffa.co.uk) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.