Well, around a month or two ago, I started writing more regular posts on this blog. There really isn't much of a purpose to having this blog other than it helps me learn about publishing, advertising, SEO, and content.
A few weeks ago, I got an email from a Fortune magazine writer that was researching how small businesses use the iPhone. Apparently if you google "iphone small business", this blog comes up second. The reporter found the blog, contacted me and we set up a time to talk. When the article came out, it had this quote from me.
"I use my iPhone to react to information, but not for active tasks," says Rohin Dhar, owner of Personforce, a creator of online job boards. "Typing on it is really hard."
You can checkout the full article here. I have no idea whether the article came out in print.
So is blogging worth it? Well, the publicity generated from a quote in Fortune was . . . absolutely zero. No bump in traffic, no friend encountering it and emailing me, no inbound link, nothing really. I guess this bodes poorly for traditionally media...
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Thursday, May 07, 2009
A TechCrunch for the recruiting industry?
It's sort of a bummer there is no TechCrunch for the recruiting industry. TechCrunch covers the latest news about web startups and established tech companies. It's a great blog to follow to find out what companies are being started, funded, acquired, as well as information about larger tech firms. I personally like the fact that TechCrunch takes an opinion on the news because I think it's generally an informed opinion.
Unfortunately, there is no TechCrunch for the recruiting industry. There is no site that intelligently covers hot startups in the jobs and recruitment space and that's a shame. Of course there are a few blogs out their about recruiting, but no publication of record (that i know of; if you know of one, let me know).
So why is there no TechCrunch for recruiting? Is it:
1. People don't care about recruiting startups?
2. It's too small a niche?
3. The recruiting industry is bereft of talented startups and sharp writers?
So, anyone out there know of any good blogs that cover and analyze recruiting startups? Heck, if recruiting startups out there contact me, I'll even review your company here. Let's hope that in the next year a sharp blog comes out that provides objective analysis about recruiting startups.
Unfortunately, there is no TechCrunch for the recruiting industry. There is no site that intelligently covers hot startups in the jobs and recruitment space and that's a shame. Of course there are a few blogs out their about recruiting, but no publication of record (that i know of; if you know of one, let me know).
So why is there no TechCrunch for recruiting? Is it:
1. People don't care about recruiting startups?
2. It's too small a niche?
3. The recruiting industry is bereft of talented startups and sharp writers?
So, anyone out there know of any good blogs that cover and analyze recruiting startups? Heck, if recruiting startups out there contact me, I'll even review your company here. Let's hope that in the next year a sharp blog comes out that provides objective analysis about recruiting startups.
Scarcity Brings Clarity - a good startup quote
A great quote from Sergey Brin about conducting business in an economic downturn in Google's 2008 Founders Letter:
"Nonetheless, I am optimistic about the future, because I believe scarcity breeds clarity: it focuses minds, forcing people to think creatively and rise to the challenge."
It's the same reason why Toyota tries to carry zero inventory - when you're operating without a safety net, you better operate correctly.
Official Google Blog: The 2008 Founders' Letter
"Nonetheless, I am optimistic about the future, because I believe scarcity breeds clarity: it focuses minds, forcing people to think creatively and rise to the challenge."
It's the same reason why Toyota tries to carry zero inventory - when you're operating without a safety net, you better operate correctly.
Official Google Blog: The 2008 Founders' Letter
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
A job search tool for finding MBA jobs
At Personforce we recently enhanced our jobs page to allow people to browse jobs by tags. Basically, now when an employer posts a job, they have to tag it with keywords. By doing so, it makes it easier for job seekers to find and browse related jobs. Each tag page also serves as a "mini job board" that job seekers can bookmark and return to to find relevant jobs.
So now that we have these tag pages on Personforce, I thought I'd highlight some of the mini job boards that can point you towards finding MBA jobs.
MBA Job Board - a collection of jobs where MBAs are a requirement
Analyst Job Board - a variety of junior and senior financial positions
Accounting Job Board - jobs requiring accounting degrees
Advertising Job Board - a broad range of jobs in the advertising industry
Business Development Job Board - the sweet spot for MBAs - business development jobs!
Business Statistics Job Board - less of a sweet spot for MBAs - business statistics jobs!
Intern Job Board - junior and senior intern positions
Internship Job Board - ditto
CEO Job Board - "CEO" jobs (though most real CEO jobs are posted on job boards)
Cleantech Job Board - the industry of the hour for business school students, cleantech
Marketing Job Board - marketing jobs for business school students and anyone really
Finance Job Board - a broad selection of finance jobs
Sales Job Board - a broad selection of sales jobs
Sales Vice President Job Board - vp of sales jobs
and more job boards by tag
Hopefully this can help in your MBA job search!
So now that we have these tag pages on Personforce, I thought I'd highlight some of the mini job boards that can point you towards finding MBA jobs.
MBA Job Board - a collection of jobs where MBAs are a requirement
Analyst Job Board - a variety of junior and senior financial positions
Accounting Job Board - jobs requiring accounting degrees
Advertising Job Board - a broad range of jobs in the advertising industry
Business Development Job Board - the sweet spot for MBAs - business development jobs!
Business Statistics Job Board - less of a sweet spot for MBAs - business statistics jobs!
Intern Job Board - junior and senior intern positions
Internship Job Board - ditto
CEO Job Board - "CEO" jobs (though most real CEO jobs are posted on job boards)
Cleantech Job Board - the industry of the hour for business school students, cleantech
Marketing Job Board - marketing jobs for business school students and anyone really
Finance Job Board - a broad selection of finance jobs
Sales Job Board - a broad selection of sales jobs
Sales Vice President Job Board - vp of sales jobs
and more job boards by tag
Hopefully this can help in your MBA job search!
Monday, May 04, 2009
Wharton interview questions & tips
From my old business school admissions files.
----------
Wharton interview tips (Do's and Don'ts)
Do's
Be self-confident and be yourself:
The best answer for how to prepare or do an interview comes from the adcom member of a b-school. She answered the question, “ Just recognize how great you are. Be self-confident, be yourself, and show him/her who you are.”
Answer in real, professional terms:
When you are asked about the hypothetical situation in terms of teamwork or leadership, try to speak in real, professional terms.
how an interviewer how well-informed you are of the school:
If you are interested in international perspective of the Wharton, tell him/her which programs or classes can help develop your career in detail. Do not forget How & Why
Imprint your strength into an interviewer:
If your strength is “passionate” (it is mine. my nick name is “Walking Energizer!”), then show him/her your passion. What you are passionate for, What you have done for it, Why you are passionate for it, How it has changed your life, and How your passion is related to the decision to go to Wharton.
Big Smile & Positive thinking:
Never bother yourself with what you have already said during the interview. Even if you made a stupid mistake in your eye, the interviewer might think you are cool just because of it. Think positively.
Don’ts
Never pass the fine line between self-confidence and arrogance:
As you already know well, Wharton is looking for down-to-earth types of people. While you need to remember how great you are, you also need to keep in mind how great other peers are. It might not be anything wrong even if you are so confident of your accomplishment. However, do not overact to impress the interviewer.
Do not bring up GMAT unless asked:
Unless asked, you may not want to bring up GMAT. It wouldn’t matter whether your score is 800 or 600. 30 minutes are too short time even to articulate your passion and goal. You may not want waste your time talking about vague numbers. And then it may have a negative result.
Be ready but do not rehearse:
Unintentionally you might need to make up a story because of a lack of readiness. Study your resume enough. Think about your life-past and future. Be fully ready to answer any question. Sometimes we hear applicants were too nervous to remember the name of an author whose book they had read recently when asked. Check every stuff, which will be asked. However, Don’t rehearse the answer over and over. The interviewer can tell when people do this
Sample Wharton interview questions:
WORK EXPERIENCE/CAREER GOALS
Walk me through your post-undergraduate work experience and describe transitions you’ve made.
Tell me about the person with whom you have least enjoyed working. How did this relationship function?
What are some of the frustrations/rewards you've experienced as a manager?
What are your plans if you’re not accepted into an MBA program of your choice?
Of what accomplishment at work are you most proud?
Describe your ideal work environment.
How do you vent work-related stress?
How does your current job relate to your career goals, where does an MBA fit in?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years?
WHY MBA/WHY MBA NOW/WHY Wharton
Tell me about the decision to get here – to apply for an MBA.
Why now?
Why do you feel you are a good fit for the school and vice versa?
What kind of value do you can add to the Wharton?
PERSONAL QUALITIES
Describe a difficult team environment in which you have been involved and how you responded to it.
What role do you usually play in-group situations and give some examples?
What happens when you feel strongly about an idea that a majority of your group is against?
Tell me about a conflict you had with a co-worker. How was it resolved?
Tell me about specific situations in which you’ve had a leadership role.
How would others describe your leadership style? Would you agree with this assessment?
If you suddenly had an afternoon off, what would you do with it?
In what non-job related activities do you participate? Describe your involvement.
OTHERS
Is there anything else you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you?
Is there anything you would have liked me to ask you that I didn't?
What would you say is the greatest weakness in your application?
----------
Wharton interview tips (Do's and Don'ts)
Do's
Be self-confident and be yourself:
The best answer for how to prepare or do an interview comes from the adcom member of a b-school. She answered the question, “ Just recognize how great you are. Be self-confident, be yourself, and show him/her who you are.”
Answer in real, professional terms:
When you are asked about the hypothetical situation in terms of teamwork or leadership, try to speak in real, professional terms.
how an interviewer how well-informed you are of the school:
If you are interested in international perspective of the Wharton, tell him/her which programs or classes can help develop your career in detail. Do not forget How & Why
Imprint your strength into an interviewer:
If your strength is “passionate” (it is mine. my nick name is “Walking Energizer!”), then show him/her your passion. What you are passionate for, What you have done for it, Why you are passionate for it, How it has changed your life, and How your passion is related to the decision to go to Wharton.
Big Smile & Positive thinking:
Never bother yourself with what you have already said during the interview. Even if you made a stupid mistake in your eye, the interviewer might think you are cool just because of it. Think positively.
Don’ts
Never pass the fine line between self-confidence and arrogance:
As you already know well, Wharton is looking for down-to-earth types of people. While you need to remember how great you are, you also need to keep in mind how great other peers are. It might not be anything wrong even if you are so confident of your accomplishment. However, do not overact to impress the interviewer.
Do not bring up GMAT unless asked:
Unless asked, you may not want to bring up GMAT. It wouldn’t matter whether your score is 800 or 600. 30 minutes are too short time even to articulate your passion and goal. You may not want waste your time talking about vague numbers. And then it may have a negative result.
Be ready but do not rehearse:
Unintentionally you might need to make up a story because of a lack of readiness. Study your resume enough. Think about your life-past and future. Be fully ready to answer any question. Sometimes we hear applicants were too nervous to remember the name of an author whose book they had read recently when asked. Check every stuff, which will be asked. However, Don’t rehearse the answer over and over. The interviewer can tell when people do this
Sample Wharton interview questions:
WORK EXPERIENCE/CAREER GOALS
Walk me through your post-undergraduate work experience and describe transitions you’ve made.
Tell me about the person with whom you have least enjoyed working. How did this relationship function?
What are some of the frustrations/rewards you've experienced as a manager?
What are your plans if you’re not accepted into an MBA program of your choice?
Of what accomplishment at work are you most proud?
Describe your ideal work environment.
How do you vent work-related stress?
How does your current job relate to your career goals, where does an MBA fit in?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years?
WHY MBA/WHY MBA NOW/WHY Wharton
Tell me about the decision to get here – to apply for an MBA.
Why now?
Why do you feel you are a good fit for the school and vice versa?
What kind of value do you can add to the Wharton?
PERSONAL QUALITIES
Describe a difficult team environment in which you have been involved and how you responded to it.
What role do you usually play in-group situations and give some examples?
What happens when you feel strongly about an idea that a majority of your group is against?
Tell me about a conflict you had with a co-worker. How was it resolved?
Tell me about specific situations in which you’ve had a leadership role.
How would others describe your leadership style? Would you agree with this assessment?
If you suddenly had an afternoon off, what would you do with it?
In what non-job related activities do you participate? Describe your involvement.
OTHERS
Is there anything else you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you?
Is there anything you would have liked me to ask you that I didn't?
What would you say is the greatest weakness in your application?
AOL acquires resume-builiding site Emurse
I somehow missed this, but AOL acquired resume building site Emurse last month. Emurse allows you to build, store, and share your resume online. The design of the site looks excellent and it looks like an easy to use tool for job seekers.
Great to see some acquisitions going on in the recruiting space. As far as I can tell, the founders of the company were former AOL employees who struck out on their own before being acquired by their former bosses. No word on the purchase price, but I imagine it was enough to make the founders quite happy. Congrats!
Great to see some acquisitions going on in the recruiting space. As far as I can tell, the founders of the company were former AOL employees who struck out on their own before being acquired by their former bosses. No word on the purchase price, but I imagine it was enough to make the founders quite happy. Congrats!
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