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.

Starting a new job is always a bit trick...

Starting a new job is always a bit tricky. You need to balance the people you work with, the new projects, the people you outsource, the scope of things, the context of things, the history and the progress as well as the potential and your sanity.That's what I have been doing for the past 3 weeks. I have willingly chosen to drop off the radar. Sometimes it's nice to be off of a radar. Sometimes it's quite pleasant to not have people know what you did, when you did and who you did it for. Sometimes it's nice not to be in touch and updating all the time.

A new challenge at Mail&Guardian

Today is my last day working at Financial Mail and I can now announce that I am starting a new job at M&G Online on the 19th of May.My official job title is business manager: mobile and recruitment. But I am sure that more regarding my actual day to day activities will come out as soon as I move in and get involved in the team.Working with Matt and Vince is definitely going to be one of the great things about my new position. The job is innovative and in a market that is about to burst and is still fairly unconquered in the media sphere.Obviously moving in to a new market and media house is a big leap for me and one that I am cautiously approaching (with some level of excitement). There are some nerves which should be expected but overall I can't wait to sink my teeth in to the challenge.Financial Mail was a phenomenal place to work and to gain some extremely valuable knowledge and experience. The people were sterling and I learned more than I thought I could in a year. But for my career, my brand and the moves I'm trying to make in the industry this is definitely the right move for me at the perfect time.Things are hotting up in SA, the market is about to explode and I am itching to bury myself in it.