Interview with a blogger - Joe McTiernan

Joe McTiernan is the HR Manager at Jobsite, where he has worked since 2000.  Major projects during his time include a rebrand, a re-engineering project, and a number of innovative HR initiatives which began in 2003 with the award of the Investors in People and have culminated in the last two years with Jobsite being named one of the top 100 small companies to work for, two years running in 2005 and 2006.   In his blog he mostly talks about all things HR related.

How long have you been blogging?
Since August 2005

Why did you start?
Partly because I was asked to and partly because I saw the opportunity to communicate to those outside of the organisation what a great company Jobsite was to work for. We embarked upon a major expansion plan in 2005 and the blogs we write are a major opportunity for us to communicate regularly with both our clients and our potential new recruits.

What do you do, work related, when you aren't blogging?
I am a Human Resources Manager with special emphasis for the last 12 months on recruitment related issues. Although I LOVE the broad spectrum HR provides for us... ;0)

Do you think blogging has helped your business?
I believe so. The amount of times at interview you are challenged or asked about issues which have been communicated through the blog. Suppliers also read it, and you get odd comments from trainers and other people telling you they like the same kind of music, and you wonder how they know what you like, before the penny drops!

What do you feel is the biggest challenge about writing a blog?
Identifying your target audience. If you do not know who you are writing for then it is impossible to aim towards them. It is also difficult if your audience is a mixed bag of job hunters and HR people. Writing articles for HR people can be the most daunting, as they can be unforgiving in their comments!

What's another blog that you read and why do you recommend it?
It is not recruitment related but I loved http://xooglers.blogspot.com/, the blog written by ex-employees of Google. Just hearing about a company which was going through a massive period of growth. Of course it must have scared the living bejeesus out of Google when they realised what they were talking about, but in the main the stories are funny reminiscences from within a company which underwent the greatest growth spurt of our generation.

What do you want your reader’s to know about you?
I am a long suffering Midlander ensconced on the South Coast amongst prejudicial Southerners. Now that I have lost my accent I can finally progress my career...

If you knew someone was thinking about starting a recruitment related blog, what advice would you want to give them?
Know your audience and stick to subjects or posts related to that sector.

Is there a question you wished I asked you?
What's my telephone number?