Press

More companies are realising they need to create a fun workplace to retain staff because of a skills shortage and low unemployment rate. They are looking at sites such as Facebook or MySpace, including those with embarrassing photos.

rpo group spokesman Liam Ovenden said just under half of the job placements his company worked on involved using Facebook or MySpace.

‘‘Funky’’ clients had asked for the job hunt to be restricted to those sites.
‘‘This really comes into play for jobs such as call centre and hospitality staff, where people come to work because of the vibe,’’ Ovenden said.

‘‘Finding the people who create that vibe is difficult, which is why we have used MySpace and chatrooms.’’ Ovenden said the technique had proved very successful.

‘‘They are people who have taken a lifestyle position. They may have just finished uni and want a flexible job before they take on a career position,’’ he said.

Surprisingly, photos of drunken nights out or people having fun with their mates make profiles stand out to headhunters.
‘‘Certain clients that we’re handling recruitment for are looking for crazy individual people – that’s what they’re after to create that vibe,’’ Ovenden said.

Brisbane Courier-Mail, July 30 2007