The Gatekeeper | ERE Blog Network

Deep web search: searching the invisible web

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:15:01 PST

Thanks to a former colleague: Jeroen Fossaert, I'm now fully into exploring the so-called deep web. I've read his blog post on deep web search, and now I'm exploring this world beyond. Word goes that the information underneath the surface or normally searchable web is about 500 times larger!

Anyway, these search engines that go a step further than Google or Yahoo prove to be an interesting search tool. As the 'traditional' search engines do not go into databases such as Facebook, deep web search engines also search resources that are not easily or entirely accessible or searchable from general search tools. And as we all know that these online social networks become more and more important, it's a good thing that they are also searchable...

Or not?

A question might be: What about the ethics? Would you feel comfortable knowing that your boss is checking your holiday pictures, even though you've posted them on a so-called secure group? Or that you've posted them 3 years ago?

As a recruiter, I believe it is my duty to check out information about the candidate, but keeping in mind what is relevant for the position. Should I not propose the candidate to our client because I've seen a picture of him being drunk at a party?...

A fair argument may be: as an individual, posting pictures, texts or other information on the web, you als have to take your own responsibilty. Maybe even this blog will still be searchable, even when I've closed it down... So that's the responsibility I take. (No, I will not post pictures of myself being drunk at a party ;-), nor will I post pictures of somebody else ... without their consent).

Anyway, this deep web search is not new at all, but ff you haven't tried it before, this site is definitely worth trying out on your next recruitment assignment: www.pipl.com

Or, for more references: just check out Wikipedia on the subject.

How to measure blogging

Fri, 4 Apr 2008 00:35:01 PST

Yesterday, I've written a small comment to one of Scott Axel's Fresh Meat posting here on ERE.

He was wondering why some many people are blogging. And how does anyone find time to read all this stuff... Truely food for thought.

But I was wondering: how do we actually measure success of blogging? And what does that mean?

Surely, some bloggers just like like to share some thoughts and that's it. But others (like myself) hope that there might be something else that comes out. And no, I don't mean hard cash. (well euh, not necessarily, that is... ;-). The hard part is: I don't really know what should come out.

Maybe the first question should be: What do I want it to do? What are my intentions? ... generate traffic? ... broadening my network? ... exchanging information? ...

I've been reading some blogs lately, and I believe that some of them are truely inspiring. Others... well euh... not.

Just another mental note: generating content at an increasingly high speed... In 10 years time, how will we 'store' all this data, and how will our over-consumed brain be able to cope with all this irrelevant data?

Anyway... I do need to make some phonecalls now.

some philosophy

Thu, 3 Apr 2008 04:57:01 PST

In earlier days, a recruiter was often seen as just an intermediate between 'the company' and 'the candidate'. Someone who would help a company find an attract the best person for the job. Maybe that person would als offer some advice to candidates. But that would approximately sum it up. As a matter of fact, this was also how I considered myself to be...But, not any more.

The enormous amounts of (new) availble resources, new market evolutions and especially new ways of networking and doing business have taken the job of recruiter to the next level.

Being a recruiter is no longer just 'a job', but it has become a way of living. (mental note: although I ask myself: is that truely that much different from before?) As I tell my friends and colleagues: it's not about something you do, but something you are. Constantly on the oulook for new opportunies, adapting to this rapidly changing world around us. Our mission: to boldly go where no man has gone before (thank you, Cpt. Picard!).

By creating The Gatekeeper, I hope to add some philosophical thoughts on the business we are in. And maybe, to open new gates and see what's beyond.