22nd Apr2010

ProGrad look at the Buzz around Google…

by ProGrad

You’ve heard of Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Myspace, and YouTube, but have you heard of Google Buzz?  ProGrad have been investigating the latest in social media which may alter the media landscape once again.

This new social networking feature was launched by Google Inc three weeks ago through their Gmail service, and being the world’s No.1 search engine, has the capacity to outrank all social networking sites.  Google have a phenomenal brand within the graduate arena and this might have an impact on the way in which candidates use social media to find roles.  Websites such as linkedin.com have proven to be a successful method of searching for roles whilst offering a myriad of online groups for business networking and sharing information.

With Google Buzz people can post updates (similar to Twitter), but choose if they would like to share it with the rest of the world or with a select number of people. There is also the option of a mobile phone application, and already teamed with google chat, it mirrors both Twitter and Facebook.

Isar Yousaf, Founder of Inka Technology Ltd, has recently come on board the team at Google Buzz and is by no means threatened by any competition from other networking sites, “this is the war too, we have resources, we have talented minds and we will kill the fire with our exceptional Google Buzz applications.” He said.

This loud scream of success may just be the way of our future with Google Buzz not limiting itself to social interaction alone. They plan to develop Buzz to benefit multinationals, entrepreneurs and particularly small and mid-sized business owner with new strategic Buzz applications.

It does sound almost too good to be true.  As with any of the social media sensations, it is down to the user to establish what they are looking to achieve, and choose the vehicle they are most comfortable using.  One thing is for sure, social media cannot be ignored any longer and our recommendation is to jump on board as quickly as possible. 

Our business has a heavy use on Linkedin.com along with a small presence on Facebook, Twitter and Flickr.  Does social media do much for our brand?  It is hard to say.  One thing it does offer, is an opportunity to listen to, and interact with our audience.  It is likely to be a matter of time before ProGrad jump on the Google Buzz Bandwagon!  And no doubt, as soon as we have, you’ll be hearing about it on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Flickr…and so the social media merry-go-round continues….

ProGrad can be reached on 02 8235 8300 or on info@prograd.com.au

08th Dec2009

Are you thinking of travelling after Uni?

by ProGrad

It is graduate season and certainly a time when most graduates are weighing up their options.  Are they to stay and enter the work force, or is it time to see the world?

If travel is something that appeals to you, then our recommendation is to get that out of your system before engaging in full-time work! Employers have spent the last few years bowing to the demands of GenerationY and keeping roles open for those that suddenly decided to go travelling for a few months.  The reality is, that in the current economic climate it should be “all hands on deck”. 

Now is not the time to be starting full time work, and have an employer invest in your training and development if there is even a small HINT of you wanting to leave to go travelling. 

If you’re feeling the travel bug now, and you havent commited to full-time work…then get it out of your system and just go!  If you need to save money then take on a casual/ temporary job to assist you in putting money aside.  Whatever you do, do not take a role unless you know that hand on heart you can be commited to it for at least 3 years.

Companies will only start to see a return on their “graduate” investment after approximately 18 months of being in a role (sometimes longer) and so it is essential that their investment is recognised by candidates. 

Over the last 12 months, in a tight economy we have seen a huge decrease in candidates wanting to go travelling, and certainly and increase in the average tenure in a role.  The job market has been tighter and hasn’t provided the same opportunities as it had several years previously.

As a young person with limited experience, it is easy to overlook the company that first invested in you at the start of your graduate career.  Try to keep in mind that your first employer has had to invest in you enormously, possibly more than any other employer.  They will have invested time, effort and money on your training and development.  Ensure that you treat them well as they are likely to assist in future career moves – going off travelling after a few short months of working for a company is not likely to assist in the form of a glowing reference!

So…if you’re considering a trip away and you havent started work yet…go for it!  There has never been a better time.  Besides, many employers make look more favourably upon you if this is “out of your system” prior to starting.

ProGrad work on behalf of over 600 employers across Australia and are specialists in the field of graduate recruitment.  Feel free to follow us on Twitter by clicking www.twitter.com/progradgraduate

We can also be found on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=168060&id=126475642525&saved#/pages/Sydney-Australia/ProGrad/126475642525

24th Aug2009

Staying Safe with Social Media

by ProGrad

http://www.crn.com.au/News/153507,opinion-protect-your-cyber-self.aspx 

The CRN website has published a good article about the inportance of “staying safe” when utilising online social media.  This is an important discussion, not simply relevant to “younger” generations, but also business professionals.

The article gives a great example of how corporate information of a sensitive nature can be so easily leaked through vehicles like Twitter or Facebook. 

It also highlights the damage that can be done in “banning” access to these sites, and the limit it would put on marketing visibility.  These are all fair points, and perhaps its going to take us a bit of time to adjust…but we’ll get there, eventually.

ProGrad are quite new users to this type of technology and are new to experiencing the positive/ negative side effects that run in parallel to these online tools.  No doubt, something is just around the corner…good, bad or indifferent.

We’ll keep you posted…watch this space!

ProGrad is a graduate assessment, placement and training company and we specialise in placing recent Graduates into proactive sales careers across a variety of indsutries.  To be considered for any roles through ProGrad, please contact us now on 02 8235 8300.

24th Aug2009

ProGrad are on Twitter….

by ProGrad

ProGrad are finally on Twitter…and can be seen at www.twitter.com/progradgraduate

Please log onto Twitter and follow our organisation.  We will try to keep you up to date with our movements and any projects that we’re currently working on.

Feedback from our canddiates, explained that we did need to drive a strong online presence across the graduate community which we are keen to do.  If you would like to make any more recommendations to ProGrad, please let us know.  We’d like to hear from you!

Kind regards, ProGrad

If you would like to speak to one of the ProGrad team, please call us at our Sydney office on 02 8235 8300.

21st Jul2009

ProGrad are on Twitter!

by ProGrad

Finally, ProGrad are out of the dark ages, and we’re finally making it on to Twitter.  Its early days, however lets hope we generate some “followers” in our graduates and clients.

To find ProGrad on Twitter, please click our link: http://twitter.com/progradgraduate

ProGrad are a graduate recruitment company, if you would like to learn more, please feel free to contact our organisation on 02 8235 8300.  Alternatively, you can check us out on www.prograd.com.au