Interview with a Blogger Ben Nunn

Ben has over 12 years’ recruitment advertising experience. Over the last 7 years Ben’s experience has taken him from online media planning and buying for clients such as Shell, BP, Merrill Lynch and KPMG, through to his current role within Online Project Consultancy and Delivery at ThirtyThree.  Ben is one of the regular contributors on the Digital Recruiting Blog.

How long have you been blogging?
Almost one year – in fact, we’re having a bit of a get together with anyone who’s interested at Ember (opposite Farringdon tube) on 28th November. All welcome – a first birthday party.

Why did you start?
Matt made me.  Actually, that’s not quite true, although he did set up the blog.  There were a few of us from competing recruitment ad agencies who started chatting a few years ago after a Totaljobs presentation.  We discovered we were experiencing the same frustrations and concerns with how our industry was being represented, and so instead of just discussing it in a pub, we thought it would be a great idea to open the discussion up to the wider audience.

What do you do, work related, when you aren’t blogging?
I head up the Web Project Delivery team at ThirtyThree.  I’m (quite sadly) passionate about usability, the user experience, site design and the logical presentation of key client information online. Oh dear, I think I’ve just lost any street cred I may have had there.  I used to work in online media, but my role within the agency shifted about 4 years ago, and I love working with/on web related build projects – there’s just so much scope. 

Do you think blogging has helped your business?
Personally, not really.  I think there are some people involved where it has, but for me personally, the blog is not about promoting our business.  It’s about having a grown up debate about issues that surround us in the industry in which we’re involved.  No-one is right, no-one is wrong (well, some are) but it’s more about creating a discussion around key issues in our industry.  I think some people seem to have missed that bit at times…

What do you feel is the biggest challenge about writing a blog?
Time.  And then, writing something that people take out of context and take personally (I don’t think I always get that right).  I want people to debate and discuss issues, and sometimes to do that you need to challenge the common perception.  Oh, and knowing when to stop typing…

What do you want other readers to know about you?
Mine’s a pint of Guinness…

If you knew someone was going to start a recruitment related blog, what advice would you want to give them?
A blog is supposed to be an expression of opinion.  Not everyone will agree.  Some will publicly challenge you, some will personally challenge you, but don’t be afraid to write what you think.  It makes it much more interesting than ‘towing the party line’, and may even affect change.  Which is great.  If nothing else, at least you’ll get to share your ideas with an active, interested market. 

Is there a question you wished I asked you?
Yes, what is the difference between a pre-67 and post-67 Beetle – because I’m sad and could tell you.