Cost of Advertising! Grrr!

Cost of Advertising! Grrr!

by: Maestro - 27-09-12 08:15

Looking for an extra staff member as we have increased capacity in our under 2's, rang the local paper we always use, and have done for the past 10 years to be told the fees have gone up 500% !!! I almost passed out! As we were a long standing customer we were offered a 20% discount, which was added back on when they added the VAT, so the quoted price didn't actually change! The original price with VAT took it to an eye watering 600% increase!

So now im reduced to sifting through the hundreds of applicants from Job Centre Plus, most of which seem to be applying for jobs to keep certain benefits. I found out that even if a person is offered a job and they don't start till say a month later they are still required to apply for jobs in the mean time to keep benefits, so that explains why there are so many people who just don't turn up or give a monkeys when you ring them.

This time of year for recruiting takes the buscuit already, as you get so many people chancing it for an apprentice position or just a position of anything. Makes me wonder why bother putting in a description of the work and applicant requirements!

So far out of the 42 applicants (in 4 days!!! It's advertised for a month!) I've managed to find 1 person who meets some of the criteria and turn up for an interview!

Really, what is the point?

by: KittyJane

Totally with you! We had to replace two members of staff and it was useless!! The amount of rubbish CV's sent through was shocking, it took weeks to finally find one member of staff and I ended up deciding to take on an apprentice and train someone up!

Hope you have some look soon! 

by: Laura Henry

It is frustrating recruiting staff and even more frustrating are the advertising costs. A number of nurseries are using social media to recruit staff, especially Twitter. For instance if you Tweet the vacancy and then hash tag your location. For example ‘Level 3 Nursery practitioner needed at Wonderland nursery - #Hollywood .’ If there are local accounts that promote information within your area, they will ReTweet to their followers. Even more exciting is if they have a number of followers! There are many early years professionals on Twitter who I am sure will ReTweet as well. 

by: raramoo

I have just had a lady send me a message through social media asking 'where is nursery and do u need bank staff?'

Still wondering if I should reply or not!

by: Kandy Flip

Has anyone had applications that begin, 'I hear you are looking for bank staff. I've worked at banks over the last two years...'?

by: CJ

Do be aware of the risks of using solely social media

Equality & diversity requires that a vacancy is advertised as widely as possible - by only using perhaps social media you are at risk of excluding, albeit indirectly, those who are not on twitter etc

Any job needs to be visible and accessible by everyone - your lcoal job centre will advertise it free to start!

by: Laura Henry

Yep, social media, would only be one way of advertising a vacancy. I would still recommend the traditional routes as well. In fact the, different avenues you explore, then the greater your chance of recruiting. 

by: Maestro

I have to say I avoid social media like the plague. I'm not a fan but then again I'm not a fan of shifting through CV's now. I've taken to just putting some straight through the shredder now as people do not read the job specification and application requirements. I'm now also fed up of post it notes stuck to CV's acting as a covering letter!

by: Laura Henry

I think there needs to be more CPD for practitioners in the recruitment process, CV writing, completing an application form and preparing for interview.

Interesting as this NW forum is technically social media. A few years ago I was running faster than Usian Bolt away from Social Media! However, since joining Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. It is invaluable for sharing early years/education information, resources and connecting with other colleagues. The information is sometimes hot off the press and includes information that one would not pick up elsewhere. Another, benefit is linking with other colleagues from around the world, sharing early year’s tips and practices.