Nic’s blog

I write about building businesses, failing and building a life, not a legacy.

Nic Haralambous Nic Haralambous

Searching for social media, high-end man...

Searching for social media, high-end management people is a tough job. Something has to give when asking for applicants.Something like this frustrates and confuses me to no end:

This appointment requires you to have: • Marketing or Communications related qualifications • at least five years’ work experience in project management • an effective social network profile • a good understanding of WEB2.0 applications for business purposes and an understanding of the international media world and its many challenges.

I don't think I know a single person with "AT LEAST five years' work experience in project management" and "a good understanding of WEB2.0" and "an effective social network profile". Are you joking?You might be able to find a project manager with 5+ years of experience who has no clue how to spell "WEB2.0" (if anyone's using that terminology any more), or you might find a candidate with a social network profile, a great understanding of social media, convergence and innovation with a 2 years of experience.Finding a combination of the three is one helluva task.This frustrates me because there are many young, talented individuals who could jump at this job with open arms and do it effectively who would not be able to apply (or would be dissuaded from even applying) because of the experience. Or a very experienced, gung-ho candidate who needs a prod in to social media who is intimidated by the application standards who you lose out on.I think that the job description of "Innovation Project Manager" is enough to entice people of a certain caliber that you can then filter yourself in the interviews. Don't knock out the applicants before you even see them.

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