Sunday, January 30, 2011

Is the Recruitment World ready for Video Resumes?

We don't think so. Just to put it quite simply! Although, it's good fun watching them on You Tube!

Recruitment processes have stayed much the same over the years. Sure, email has replaced fax machines and seek.com.au has replaced flipping through newspapers and circling jobs of interest - the actual process’s remain the same. Resumes, must always be submitted to the client/employer in specific formats, attention must be paid to cover letters. We all know the drill – it’s a tradition!

Although some employers are moving with the times, by embracing new technology and methods in their day to day business activities. Adopting creative, relaxed and unconventional work/office environments. These are the types of employers that may embrace the creativity of Video Resumes and accept them with open arms.

As much as we love watching Video Resumes, we don’t see them becoming mainstream any time in the near future. Although, it might prove interesting if LinkedIn allowed a function for job seekers to post Video Resume's to thier account!

How To Make a Video Resume:



We aren't sure how serious David Pedersen's Video Resume is - it's great none the less!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Microsoft Has a New Data Centre: A Barn

Microsoft has announced that it will open a new data centre in Washington State housed in a "modern" barn like structure that is "virtually transparent to ambient outdoor conditions".

The new data centre will be built adjacent to an existing facility at Quincy, a small town that apparently has the advantage of cheap power generated from the Columbia River.

General manager of data centre services Kevin Timmons said that the radical building design would allow Microsoft "to essentially place our servers and storage outside in the cool air while still protecting it from the elements".

"The interior layout is specifically designed to allow us to further innovate in the ways that we deploy equipment in future phases of the project," he said.

"And, like any good barn, the protective shell serves to keep out critters and tumbleweeds."

Timmons said the inside of the centre would be completely modular – from electrical and mechanical through to server and security subsystems.

He claimed the building block design would cut capital expenses associated with the project in half.

It was not the first time Microsoft had toyed with the idea of a data centre without walls. In September 2008, it successfully ran a stack of HP servers in a tent for seven months with no failures.

Timmins said other modular data centers were to be built in Virginia and Iowa later this year.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Life and Work at Google

Here are some interesting video's of life as an employee at Google ...


Googleplex tour!





A look in to the Google interview process:





Jenny is a Software Engineer:


Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Unfortunately we have not visited our blog in a while so we are pleased to be back in 2011!

So now it is a time traditionally known for resolutions and optimism – it is also a time when lots of people make changes – including changing jobs – and here at Cyber Placements we are certainly seeing a flurry of activity with many opportunities for those looking for a career change.

Overall we understand that we are forecast to see a continuing skills shortage in particular industries with certain sectors being topped as the big growth industries this year like engineering and resources.

Also we believe that the IT sector will see some challenges ahead in particular in relation to the new national plan on broadband. Salary levels however will be interesting to watch since employers and employees have varying expectations as inflation and interest rates change and impacts on productivity result.

Also to kick off the new year, the landscape has seen some regulatory changes come into effect already for example paid parental leave & employment law changes in relation to termination.
So what are your New Years resolutions? Please let us know if we can help you with anything….here at Cyber Placements we are happy to be entering our second year of business and we resolve to try to serve you, our customer, better and brighter than we did before!

Look forward to seeing you on line again soon – why not visit our jobs site to see some of the roles available and as always do not hesitate to contact us directly if you think we can help you.

Bye for now!