Member Article

North-West social media recruitment case study: Nick O’Neill

Twitter is often written off as a haunt for teenagers, celebrities and media darlings, but it also provides opportunities for experienced professionals across the North West to advance their careers.

Nick O’Neill, 45, lives in Liverpool and is a senior solicitor at serious injury and medical negligence law firm Fletchers Solicitors in Southport. He joined Fletchers Solicitors just under a year ago, having previously spent two years as head of accident and personal injury at Wirrall-based Lees Solicitors and 13 years at London-headquartered The Specter Partnership Solicitors where he was a partner.

He may not fit the stereotypical Twitter image then, but actually the social media site played a vital role in securing Nick the job he wanted.

O’Neill said: “I’d been following the Twitter account of Fletchers Solicitors and its CEO Ed Fletcher for about a year when I heard they were hiring.

“Most law firms aren’t interested in social media, but I liked how Fletchers Solicitors and Ed Fletchers were using Twitter so I decided to apply. They don’t just post corporate updates on there.

“Instead, they talk about their charity work, industry news, social events and interesting legal cases. They also post lots of photos, and there is a nice balance between personal and professional messages.

“By following the social media accounts of a company and its key staff, you can see the culture of an organisation so I knew Fletchers Solicitors was the right fit for me.

“Before I got the job, I retweeted a couple of messages from Ed Fletcher just to get me on his radar. But when I got the interview I decided it wouldn’t be appropriate to tweet him directly. Happily I got the job and I’ve been here ever since.

“I’m a great advocate of social media – I use Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, and Instagram occasionally as well.

“I’m 45 years old so some might say I’m not your typical Twitter user, but I think social media is here to stay. It’ll be with us forever so employees and employers need to wake up to its value.”

For more information, please visit www.fletcherssolicitors.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ursula Hutchinson .