Recruiting ROI

Zannel...This is a pretty cool way to micro blog and distribute - including pics/video!

Ethan Bloomfield — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:49:56 -0400

The Daily Rambler...

Ethan Bloomfield — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 07:50:26 -0400

I logged into my gMail account this morning, and saw this at the top of my inbox and thought I'd share:

Quote of the Day - Charles Darwin - "A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life."

Here is a GREAT job if you are looking. Actually it is the BEST JOB IN THE WORLD, according to this CNN Video. Essentially Australia is trying bolster tourism and is hiring someone to be the "caretaker" of an island - and will have them blog everyday about the experience. It�??s open to anyone with any experience:

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2009/01/13/shubert.uk.best.job.cnn

Apparently the volume of applicants has crashed the site a few times, and it seems to be down as of this morning, but here is the link: www.islandreefjob.com

Here is a little less happy go luck story; it seems Dean Kamen is considering killing the segway. I guess this appropriate right now - and feels very symbolic to me. During the tech boom in the late 90's I remember the rumors of "IT" or "Ginger" which circulated the web - Jeff Bezos of Amazon (if I remember correctly) proclaimed that it would change the way cities are built - and we waited and waited with excitement for this game changing invention from this game changing inventor. That dream seems to be coming to end:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/worklife/01/12/entrepreneur.psychology/index.html

(I wonder if I can get one on the cheap.)

On ERE - Lou Adler says recovering will begin next quarter, so we shouldn't be laying off recruiters. Well, not laying off recruiters or anyone else is a GREAT idea in my opinion, however - recovery by next quarter? Lou, I read a lot and not many of the 'experts' are saying second quarter...not many are saying this year.

http://www.ere.net/2009/01/09/dont-fire-your-recruiters-just-when-the-recovery-is-about-to-begin/

Then again my 'experts' miss a lot. I found a copy of the December, 2007 Fortune Magazine - which had sections on predictions for 2008 and stock picks, etc. From time to time I will show how good the experts were:

On page 44 Fortune asks the experts if we would see a recession in 2008. John Eade, president and director of research, Argus Research: 'We say no.'

Thanks and have a great day!

Ethan Bloomfield

The Every Couple of Days Rambler...

Ethan Bloomfield — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:05:00 -0400

Can you blog on ERE from an iPhone? That would be cool - so, I can do this from the airport or on a train.

I have been traveling - visiting with clients, prospects and strategic partners. What I hear out there is consistent - things are bleak. However, what I also continuously hear is optimism; people aren't giving up. And that attitude is infectious - which reminds me of an article/news piece I heard just before New Years:

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/jan/02/happiness-is-contagious-heres-to-catching-it-in/

If, we apply the study of happiness and its virus like nature - can we also assume that optimism operates in the same way? And if so, can we assume that if we look at the glass as half full - others will begin to see it as half full and this whole thing will get better?

I can't find any other news out there to stick to my theme - which raises the last question of the day: if the news told us more optimistic sides of the story, would we all feel better, start buying more, working harder and being more creative?

I'll do my best to contribute: I feel great today! I believe there are opportunities to be had even in bad business environments! I will succeed. Pass it on.

The Daily Rambler...

Ethan Bloomfield — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:28:52 -0400

Calling this Daily is a bit deceiving since I was late getting started yesterday and never got it out. Sorry!

Bad news:

The job loss rate was worse than expected according to ADP:

http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/07/news/economy/adp_challenger/index.htm?postversion=2009010709

In all of 2008, employers announced 1,223,993 job cuts, which was the largest number of job cuts announced in a year since 2003, when employers announced 1,236,426 job cuts, according to Challenger

A little self-promotion here - ERE had a write up on a marketing partnership between JobTarget and SHRM:

http://www.ere.net/2009/01/06/clip-coupons-and-get-job-postings-at-a-discount/

The article was also featured on:

http://www.recruitingblogs.com and http://www.cheezhead.com as well as others.

JobBoarders has put up the Roundtable I mentioned a week or two ago - Participants: Yaz Dalal (vault), Eric Shannon (latpro), Chris Campbell (indeed), Ethan Bloomfield (jobtarget), and me (allcountyjobs).

Listen here - http://www.jobboarders.com/profiles/blogs/job-boarders-roundtable-1

Thanks and have a great day!

Ethan Bloomfield

The Daily Rambler

Ethan Bloomfield — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:04:27 -0400

Welcome to 2009! I realize new years day was 4 days ago but for those of us that have desk jobs, today seems like the first day of 2009. Kids are back to school, no one is out on vacation, and the sun is even shinning her in New London, CT.

Other than folks in the 4 cities mourning the loss of their NFL teams this weekend in the WildCard games, today has a good feel. I don't know if its the dawn of a new year or renewed focus after some time off, but it feels pretty good.

The year started off very nice with a nearly 3% jump in the DOW on Friday January 2nd, 2009. Although, today is supposed to be a bit slower:

http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/05/markets/stockswatch/index.htm

Best quote I have read about money all year: "I certainly think that we're off to a good start, and I think people are more optimistic about 2009 than they were in 2008," said Art Hogan (chief market strategist at Jefferies & Co.)

Another opimistic note I found on Interbiznet Bugler:

The outlook for the top of the employment market in 2009 is beginning to show signs of improvement. The ExecuNet Recruiter Confidence Index (RCI), which hit an all-time low in November, climbed higher in December, as executive search firms begin to eye the second quarter of 2009 with more optimism about assignment levels. According to December's survey of 100 executive recruiters, 40% are confident or very confident the executive employment market will improve in the next six months - up from 26% in November.

Well thats it for now. NOTE: There is plent of bad news out there, I am choosing not to pay attention today!

Thank you,

Ethan Bloomfield

The Daily Rambler (Ending '08)

Ethan Bloomfield — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:46:41 -0400

There is a lot of New Years Eve buzz out there:

1. We have hit the bottom - '09 can only go up (http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/30/markets/2009_look_ahead/index.htm)

2. If you think '09 was bad wait until '09 - Bumpy Road Ahead(http://money.cnn.com/video/#/video/news/2008/12/29/news.hougaard.122908.cnnmoney)

Its a bit confusing, isn't it? Well at least there is this good news:

There will be one extra second in 2008 - use it wisely! Basically this year has a "leap second" which will be set by those who manage the atomic clocks. Various conditions that the earth experiences create certain changes in the way time is measured.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/12/31/leap.second.new.year/index.html

Chris Russell of www.jobboarders.com took this picture at my office a couple of weeks ago:

Punk Rock HR has a few 2009 funnies:

http://punkrockhr.com/2008/12/30/punk-rock-hr-secrets-for-2009/

Cheezhead decided to show us how good his crystal ball is with rundown on last year's predictions. (note my comment at the bottom):

http://www.cheezhead.com/2008/12/30/a-look-back-at-2008/

Well that is it for today - I hope you have a happy and healthy new year and I am sure next year will be better or worse.

Signing off for the year,

Ethan Bloomfield

The (Not So) Daily Rambler

Ethan Bloomfield — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:12:18 -0400

A co-worker asked, "Hey, why aren't you blogging?" So, here I am back at it...

As the year comes to end, its time to contemplate our failures and our successes - study them - and then re-group and push forward into the new year. I wish everyone out there a happy, healthy and successful new year!

--------------------------------

ERE has an article I agree with - Jim Durbin explains that recruiters should apply the tactics used by traditional marketing professionals. Marketing 101 tells us that we need a media mix to deliver our message to our audience - we need to use social media, traditional media, SEO/SEM and yes, Job Boards. Different people interact with the job search process in different ways. Recruiters need to measure and evaluate the success of their methods and work across a multiple media strategy.

http://www.ere.net/2008/12/30/recruitment-marketing-is-the-new-black/

Fortune has a little story on the Dumbest moments in Business in 2008 - some of them are a little "over hyped" in my opinion (e.g. the Detroit Execs. flying in private Jets to ask for money).

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/fortune/0812/gallery.dumbest_moments_2009.fortune/index.html

Do you have an iPhone? If not you are nuts - especially with this much anticipated release (its a $99 refurbished 3G at Wal-Mart!). The iPhone is the single greatest productivity tool I have ever purchased and as a recruiter using social media, I strongly suggest you get your hands on one (this the express opinion of the author - me).

http://www.crn.com/retail/212700026

Before I go for the day - I was on a panel discussion with a few other job board executives last night. The conversation will be available on http://www.jobboarders.com in the very near future.

Thanks!

Ethan Bloomfield

Daily Rambler

Ethan Bloomfield — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 10:25:16 -0400

Good morning. I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot...and missed. I've failed over and over again in my life. And that's why I succeed.

--Michael Jordan

Today, I am working with our management team on 2009 strategies and planning. Tonight, our company holiday party.

That said - I have failed you, my faithful readers, because I have had no time to read the news. However, this will lead to great success!

Anybody else see anything interesting out there?

Daily Rambler - Read Me

Ethan Bloomfield — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:17:02 -0400

Blogging is like being on the radio - it seems. I am speaking but I have no idea if anyone can hear me.

Time's Person of the Year is announced. No huge surprise here: Our president elect, Barack Obama. Anybody worried that we are putting too much of our hope for a better world in one person? Politics aside...can the President of the United States of America, solve all of the problems we face going in to 2009?

http://www.time.com/time/specials/2008/personoftheyear

The markets respected my hope that we have already hit the bottom, by jumping up almost 400 points yesterday. However today, we are supposed to see a retreat. As long as it doesn't drop more than the 400 we gained yesterday - I DON'T CARE!

http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/17/markets/stockswatch/index.htm

All ready thinking about new jobs in new places? Electronic Recruiting News has a little article about the best places live and launch. I read this on CNN already - but it reminded me that I am in CT - and CT isn't on the short list!

http://www.interbiznet.com/ern/archives/081216.html

Not much else fresh or new that I could dig up this morning. I think, like me, folks are in Holiday Retreat. Let's just get 2008 finished and move on.

See you tomorrow (can you hear me?)

Ethan Bloomfield

Daily Rambler

Ethan Bloomfield — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 08:52:54 -0400

So, maybe the markets are at the bottom? Big news - but no big swings in the DOW. Its either:

1. The Bottom

2. The Hollidays and investor apathy

3. The Calm

I am hoping for option 1 - but after that 60 minutes story last week, who knows...Chris Russell put the story up on JobBoarders.com - (WARNING: This is not for the faint of heart). Essentially the story goes - we have only seen the first of three waives of the mortgage crisis - waives 2 and 3 are forth coming.

http://www.jobboarders.com/profiles/blogs/60-minutes-says-2nd-mortgage

Day two with no new stories on Cheezhead. Joel, come on - I need the cheez!

Check out punkrockhr.com - nothing to repeat right now, but definately an interesting approach.

Thanks!

Ethan Bloomfield

Daily Rambler

Ethan Bloomfield — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 08:08:35 -0400

A Rambler, according to Princeton's wordnet, is a person who takes long walks in the country or whos speech or writing is not well organized.

I meant the former when I started this.

So, far the market's are unsure of what they are going to do today. In pre-market trading everything is unchanged from last week - which I expected to be disastrous, but wasn't. The amazing thing to me is that there is still no solution on the table for the auto-industry as of 7:57am - just hope.

Wall Street poised for mixed start

Dec 15: 7:50a

Investors to focus on outlook for Detroit's Big Three, losses from Madoff case. (more)

Cheezhead hasn't come up with anything to say yet this week - hopefully we'll come up with some interesting stories this week. I did have some comments on a story there about layoffs - someone from CareerBuilder seems to think that there is too much media chat about layoffs and not enough good news...uh...ok.

http://www.cheezhead.com/2008/12/10/layoffs-ontargetjobs/

Here's an interesting question I have on my mind this morning:

How many of you (on the corp. side) are having holiday parties this year? Has anyone had to cancel them?

Until later,

Ethan Bloomfield

Daily Rambler

Ethan Bloomfield — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:06:56 -0400

Remember that saying, "If you don't have anything nice to say..."

Daily Rambler

Ethan Bloomfield — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 07:21:51 -0400

Good morning all. One of the things I keep hearing is: "There is good news, and there is bad news." Sometimes the other way around. Really this is just a way to try to soften the blows.

The Bad News:

layoffs hit ontargetjobs network

http://www.cheezhead.com/2008/12/10/layoffs-ontargetjobs/

I have to tread lightly on this one, as OTJ is a respected competitor of mine and I feel for those effected. At the same time - in bad economic times we always see companies tightening their belts. Its motivation to stop what you are doing, look around and see if there are places to reduces expenses and increase revenues. To a certain extent down cycles are just part of the system which has made this country great.

The Good News:

December is almost half way done. Actually - since so many of us will have some time off - its really more than half done. I for one am very anxious to see what January has to bring. It looks like the light at the end of the tunnel - wait, isn't that a bad thing?

Ethan Bloomfield

Daily Rambler

Ethan Bloomfield — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:15:16 -0400

I am sitting here wondering why I haven't written in so long. I mean anyone who knows me, understands that I have plenty to say! I guess I just got lazy.

So...I am going to play out an idea I have had right here on ERE. I spend about an hour everymorning reading news and discussions on the Internet. Stories I read range from the stock market and our crashed economy to industry specific insights.

-------------------------------------------------

Issue 1. Vol 1.

Goodmorning. Here is what caught my eye today - hope you enjoy!

This one has some direct relevance. Who ever would have thought that consumers DO NOT trust coorperate blogs.

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.san&s=96382&Nid=50201&p=931607

Someone should really be paying attention to the daily ups and downs of the markets and the predicitions made by my friends at CNN. I am no stock analyst - infact I only invest in the markets through my 401K - but the market seems to be behaving according to some rules from an alternate universe.

Today - its gonna bounce up! (we'll see)

http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/10/markets/stockswatch/index.htm

This item was interesting - albeit predictable. Fortune published a list of its "Blue Ribbon" companies. These are companies that were on at least four of the Fortune lists this year. If you are looking for a job - maybe you should short list them. If you are investing - man, I have no idea!

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/blueribbon/2008/

Hope you enjoy!

Ethan Bloomfield

ERE Expo - Day 1

Ethan Bloomfield — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:25:04 -0400

ERE is off and kicking. Workshops are in session and the exhibit hall is set to open in a couple of hours.

Last night the awards ceremony was held - and from what I hear it was the most attended that ERE ceremony ever. Neal Bruce of Monster (www.monster.com) was the MC again this year - I hope he enjoyed his 15 minutes, because tonight is the annual Poker tournament and I am fairly certain he won't enjoy the same attention he received last night!

Speaking of Poker- Jason Davis (www.recruitingblogs.com) has been running at the mouth since he arrived. Not very smart Mr. Davis. Winning the past three years in row probably gives you the right, but there is a contingency of players who have a plan.

Gerry Crispin (www.careercrossroads.com) has made his presence here - Gerry told me that he has a bounty on Jason's Head - if Jason is beaten this year, there is an amazing prize for the winner - when its awarded, someone will put pics of it online.

Dave Mendoza (www.sixdegreesfromdave.com) has promised a big showing this year. Hey Dave - we are just happy you are with us, and remember the plan (I know you hang out with Jason - but remember DON'T tell Jason).

Two more things:

1. I would like to thank everyone who came to the JobTarget OneClick Networking Event last night...I know it was crowded, but I really enjoyed hanging out with you all. (http://oneclick.jobtarget.com)

2. If you are out here, stop bye the JobTarget Booth - you can't miss it and we are giving away cash!

San Diego - ERE 2008

Ethan Bloomfield — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 09:57:07 -0400

It is upon us again - ERE Expo 2008 in San Diego, CA. I am very excited about this year's conference:

1. A source told me last night that this is the largest Expo ERE has ever had.

2. Its not snowing here.

3. We are getting our poker tournament off again at this event. On Tuesday night those of us faithful to the mission will take another stab at unseating Jason Davis. (all of our efforts are going to the ERE Fundation)

4. Jason says he's been reading books and thinks that will help him to continue his dominance - although, an unnamed player from Monster and I are certain this is the year that someone will knock him off of his throne.

If you are out here - I look forward to seeing you at the Expo. If you are not, I will try again to give some overview thoughts throughout.

Also, Vendors/Exhibitors - Remember there are two special events I have put together for us to network:

Monday (Tonight) there is a networking "After Hours" in the JobTarget hospitality suite from 6-9pm.

and

Tuesday (Tomorrow morning) there is a networking breakfast from 9am-11am.

If you need info on the events track me down during set up.

ERE Expo 2008 - ALL VENDORS READ THIS

Ethan Bloomfield — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 07:38:02 -0400

ERE Expo Vendors

(ATS, Job Boards, RPOs, Advertising Agencies and other service providers)

I would like to personally invite you to an ERE Expo 2008 Vendors/Exhibitors only event, hosted by JobTarget?s OneClick. Over the years that I have been attending events I have found that some of my best connections at Expos like ERE have been with other exhibitors, like you.

This year?s ERE Expo has limited hours available in the Expo Hall ? so in stead of disturbing each other during this time, I have decided to host two exhibitor only events in the JobTarget OneClick hospitality suite.

6pm-9pm Monday March 31^st, 2008

(Beer, Wine and Light Snacks will be served)

9am-11am Tuesday April 1^st, 2008

(Continental Breakfast will be served)

This is an opportunity that I have decided to organize to meet with other exhibitors and establish relationships. In addition there will be information about several opportunities to work with JobTarget?s OneClick job posting distribution service and solutions.

If you are interested in attending please contact me directly:

e.bloomfield@jobtarget.com

JobTarget's OneClick Video/Photos - ERE Expo 2007

Ethan Bloomfield — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:34:54 -0400

Here are some photos from the recent ERE Expo:

Here is a link to the photo slide show? http://oneclick.jobtarget.com/erephotos/

Congratulations Jason Davis...

Ethan Bloomfield — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 10:52:10 -0400

I have to eat crow - as they say. Jason Davis has again dominated the ERE Foundation poker tournament this year and beaten us all. Jason is just an amazing poker player.

There it is. Done.

Overall the event was a huge success and we raised a lot of money for the ERE Foundation.

Gerry Crispin was the only player on Team JobTarget to place - he played very tight and made to third place.

In a follow up I will have pictures of the tourney and the rest of the conference.

ERE Poker Talk Never Gets Boring....

Ethan Bloomfield — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:33:29 -0400

ERE's East coast expo is a just 23 days away and I am very exited about this event for a number of reasons:

1. Seeing what's new at the Expo

2. Hearing from the great line of speakers

3. Meeting new people in our indsutry

4. blah, blah, blah......

Most of all I am excited to end the poker banter. Jason Davis called me today and must have thought that by telling me how well he did in a recent tournament that he could intimidate me some how. Ha!

Davis - here's the deal: I have a team. I have selected the best poker players, who also happen to work in our industry, to join me in removing you from the ERE Foundation Poker throne.

1. Gerry Crispin - http://www.careerxroads.com/

2. Dave Mendoza - http://www.sixdegreesfromdave.com/

3. Ethan Bloomfield - JobTarget

4. Greg Carkhuff - HRD Press (http://www.hrdpress.com)

As for Neal Bruce at Monster - I think we can all agree that he has a shot at coming in 2nd. Again.

---------------------------

Here is a list of the charity event sponsors - I am also very excited to take down the likes of....

Zoom Info

Monster (yeah that's you Neal)

JobTarget OneClick

RecruitingBlogs.com (Davis)

ERE

Yahoo! HotJobs
Job Central

All of the proceeds from this event benefit the ERE Foundation

Now - Mr. Davis also told me that there was room for one or two more sponsor companies. If you are exhibiting this year - you will thoroughly enjoy this event. You can find Jason Davis on RecuitingBlogs.com or you can email me (e.bloomfield@jobtarget.com).