PR agency’s hashtag job hunt takes a Twitter bashing
An attempt by a Sydney PR agency to create buzz by hiring a new member of staff via Twitter has backfired with the #SocialCV hashtag being hijacked by users poking fun at the company’s attempts to establish its social media credentials.
Within minutes of Mumbrella posting a story about Porter Novelli’s job hunt – which will see the best three tweets getting an interview – the #SocialCV hashtag was trending as Twitter users raced to subvert it.
Storify selection of tweets:
I considered applying in 140 characters or less for a good…5 seconds after seeing the article. Good work, PN Sydney!
There’s probably a lot of people commenting on how this is a fail – but if you take a step back, it probably doesn’t matter to them in the larger sense. The people laughing at this are probably not even interested in their services, or are in their target audience. Sure they haven’t used the best strategy (#qantas debacle anyone?), but they are trending and have probably received more attention than deserved through this “fail”.
They’re probably all sniggering at the snigger-ers on Twitter. Good on you Porter Novelli. Everyone needs to get over being social media critiques.
Hasn’t really backfired has it? Sure, it’d be better if the hashtag was unique, but apart from that who give a sheiser if a bunch of folks have jumped in on it. Some of their tweets are pretty funny. (I thought the PR’s vine was kinda funny too.) And now its trending. I fail to see the FAIL. (and no, ive got nothing to do with Porter Novelli – i’m just bored of the incessant negativity.)
Honestly, what is the world coming to?
Lazy HR. Offensive to people trying to get into the industry as well. Seriously, you’re going to miss out on meeting/interviewing some people with great potential all because some numpty managed to conceive a tweet with greater ‘cut-through’.
I didn’t realise ability to tweet is directly proportional to your ability to be a good account exec.
Thire requirements for the “Account Executive” job are a tweet and a university degree. It’s stellar work, being able to diminish the role of competency, education, and experience so thoroughly.
Five stars.
“Thire” is how we spell “Their” in the Internet future. #socialCV
I agree with Stormy Teacup – I don’t see how this has hurt Porter Novelli in any substantial way. Perhaps they could’ve done the due diligence to ensure their hashtag was unique. Apart from that they’ve generated considerable exposure for their recruitment initiative, and responded to the “bashing” in a dignified way, and directed people to their website and blog post. From there, any legitimate applicants could either enter the competition as intended, or of course make direct contact with the company to express their interest in the role.
“But it’s trending!” is the new “Any publicity is good publicity.” #socialCV
Leslie: spelling and grammar: the difference between knowing your sh*t and knowing you’re sh*t
Don’t think it backfired at all. Another Mumbrella beat-up over nothing.
If you gave a $1000 cheque for free some would complain about it being in cheque form.
I didnt know who they were before. Now all the noise has raised the profile and ihad to get a look at the website.
hmmm, perhaps not a bad strategy at all.
@Skylo it’s actually punctuation… close enough though