Question re: boards.ie

Annasopra

I have a question that perhaps someone could advise on

Over the last 2-3 years I have given a considerable amount of advice on student grants and fees to a number of students on boards.ie - some have come back to me and said that they wouldn't have got through the system without my advice

I am applying for a job where this is highly relevant and am trying to put this across on my CV

How do you think this could be done? - something like "volunteer information provider on online forum re student grants?"

Atlantis50

Would you be comfortable in telling them your username here (and proving it by logging in if asked)?

If you consider it highly relevant for the job you are applying for, it would be reasonable for them to ask this.

NicsM

How about saying you are a regular contributor to Ireland's largest online community/forum or something to that effect?

I would also mention that you are a moderator-perhaps emphsasise that it is a voluntary position and the skills you have gained from it.

Best of luck with the application!

Denerick

It would really depend on the job. But to be perfectly honest, unless you have a particularly slim CV I don't really think it would look particularly good.

Eoin

Atlantis50 makes a good point - if you have to disclose your username, are you happy for your potential bosses to see everything you've posted here? Also, do you post a lot here while working for someone else?

I don't think the post above is necessarily true at all, but I think I'd only mention it if online interaction (digital marketing / social media channel management etc) was a large part of the job I was applying for.

Denerick

Eoin wrote: »

I don't think the post above is necessarily true at all, but I think I'd only mention it if online interaction (digital marketing / social media channel management etc) was a large part of the job I was applying for.

If that were the case then it would be fine. If he was applying to be a fund accountant I would fail to see the relevance to be honest (As an example)

Delancey

Might you be uncomfortable at disclosing information which may lead to an employer or potential employer engaging in speculation about your private life ? Giving details of moderating an LGBT forum may invite such speculation.

Totally up to yourself of course but some people may find it a bit uncomfortable .
For what its worth I would never disclose I am a moderator as this would cause an employer / potential employer to speculate I might quit to join the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Annasopra

Delancey wrote: »

Might you be uncomfortable at disclosing information which may lead to an employer or potential employer engaging in speculation about your private life ? Giving details of moderating an LGBT forum may invite such speculation.

Totally up to yourself of course but some people may find it a bit uncomfortable .
For what its worth I would never disclose I am a moderator as this would cause an employer / potential employer to speculate I might quit to join the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

It's really difficult to explain my cv because it's very unconventional but I nearly always do actually mention lgbt stuff (not modding) because it's relevant. In the end I came up with something today regarding giving advice on boards.ie - still not 100% sure about it though.

Mr. Loverman

I think this sort of thing should be mentioned in the cover letter rather than the CV.

phormium

I have something similar on my CV, I put down regular contributor on financial matters etc as would be relevant to things I apply for, not on boards but on another more financially based forum. Interestingly I had two interviews some time apart for the same job, separate vacancies, first interview panel were very interested in the forum and used it themselves etc, in second interview none of the three interviewers had ever looked at it or even seemed familiar with the name of it despite it being very well known and I would have thought people in their line of business would have been familiar with it, so you never know whether it will be useful or not but I would include it.

paulac

I'd simply ask the people you have helped to provide you with a reference/testimonial. The employer is looking for evidence that you have done what you say you have done and if you can provide testimonials to that effect I think it would look great. If one or two of the people you helped wouldn't mind providing their contact details so the employer could contact them then better again!

I would not offer up my username or login details as this is personal information. My background is in HR/Recruitment and I would never request that type of information from a potential candidate (I know there are some places that do though).

Best of luck,

Paula