Human Resources in web design – QUT Creative Industries – Presentation to Work Placement Students

Posted by Toby Jenkins

HR is a hot topic at Bluewire Media at the moment! We’ve chosen it as our theme for the quarter and everyone has committed to their own goals to contribute to improving this area of our business and making sure we’re having fun at the same time!

Yesterday, Adam, Angela and I went along to a QUT Creative Industries Transition Program lecture to talk to 3rd year students.

The purpose of the presentation was to inform the students about the work placement program from Bluewire Media’s point of view.

I covered 3 areas:

1. Our recruitment process – what it is, why we’ve done it this way and what the students can learn from it
2. What they can expect in their work placement
3. What the benefits are for the students

So, what is our recruitment process?

1. It’s for all staff – full time, part time, contractor and work placement/experience.
2. There are 5 parts to the process:
3. • Submit you resume and cover letter
   • You’ll be sent an application questionnaire and a technical exam
   • Complete and submit both
   • Directors interview
   • The “Gauntlet” – basically meeting the team

At each point applicants are assessed and given feedback by the most relevant staff member – that might be our HR Co-ordinator, a web designer, web developer, marketing manager or directors. Basically whoever is best suited to the assessment will do it depending on the role!

Why have we designed it this way?

1. Test skill level
2. Understand expectations
3. Check cultural fit

This is definitely a 2 way process. It gives us and the applicant the chance to assess each other and make sure that we’d all be comfortable working together. After all – if you’re going to spend 8-10 hours a day with someone, you might as well get along!

What does a student get from it?

1. A very clear understanding of how we work
2. They know what we are looking for in our people
3. They get to meet all the team
4. Hopefully gain great experience in going through an application process with feedback – regardless of the outcome

What can a student expect in their placement?

1. Responsibility – real projects/clients immediately
2. Independence – plenty of assistance
3. Professionalism – dress, presentation, timing
4. Perks – fun manager events, swimming pool access, breakfast (see here for more details: http://www.bluewiremedia.com.au/jobs.html)
5. Treated as a full time employee

What are the benefits of undertaking a work placement?

1. Get to experience a commercial environment
2. Rapid learning curve – projects, colleagues
3. Possibility of work upon completion – 3 work placement students have been hired as either contractors or full time staff!

If you have any queries about our HR processes or wish to apply for work, please visit our website for more details: http://www.bluewiremedia.com.au/jobs.html

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About Toby Jenkins

Toby Jenkins is co-author of Web Marketing That Works. He also released 33 free marketing templates, is CEO of Bluewire Media and co-hosts an iTunes podcast and has written for Fairfax Media, ProBlogger, Jeff Bullas and many other blogs. Toby is an Athens Olympian.

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