AI is currently at the forefront of discussions in recruitment, as it is in various other fields. I continue to seek to understand AI and its implications for the recruitment industry, trying to keep up with the continuing advancement of technology. Applicant tracking systems (ATS) have been a staple in the industry for over two decades, evolving into a billion-dollar business today. Additionally, emerging technologies are reshaping the initial stages of the recruitment process, reducing the need for extensive manual effort in organizing, sorting, and shortlisting applicants. These systems ena ..read more

Welcome to the world of onboarding, the final but one of the most important steps of the recruitment process. W. My advice DON’T rush through this step and DON’T assume your new hire is “good to go” until you’ve ensured their onboarding experience has been meticulously put together and carried out. This process, if done successfully, will help your new hire get up to speed quickly and begin contributing to your organization’s success. Why don’t we start with distinguishing the difference between Orientation and Onboarding. I know what you’re thinking…aren’t they basically the same thing? The ..read more

Congratulations, you found the perfect candidate for the job! But wait – you haven’t sealed the deal just yet. Presenting a winning offer is an important part of the recruitment process. The discussion goes beyond just offering a salary—it’s about conveying your company values, how the candidate’s experience and skill set align, and the beginning of building a foundation for a productive partnership. In this blog post, we’ll explore the strategies for effectively negotiating “The Offer” while presenting your company in the best possible light and ensuring your candidate accepts the position wi ..read more

Psychometric what? Are we still talking about recruitment? Yes! I know everyone wishes the recruitment process was a little simpler, especially in today’s competitive job market. Finding the right candidate for a position is a challenging task! Traditional methods of evaluating candidates based solely on resumes and interviews often fall short in predicting a candidate’s potential and fit within an organization. This is where psychometric assessments step in, revolutionizing the recruitment process by providing a more scientific and holistic approach to candidate evaluation. I want to delve in ..read more

Recruitment should be as simple as posting a job and finding a candidate. Wrong. You might be surprised to learn that the recruitment process involves several stages, both BEFORE and AFTER the main process of sourcing and interviewing candidates. Finding and attracting top talent plays a key role in shaping an organization’s growth and impact. Having a well-executed recruitment plan can lead to a pool of highly skilled candidates and contribute to a vibrant company culture. Let’s take a walk together through the planning process of recruitment! BEFORE Initiating the Recruitment Process: Conduc ..read more

Every year there are new obstacles to overcome and adjust to in the recruitment world. While some changes are welcome, others can be challenging and require more thought and strategy. 2023 brings a new set of trends and priorities that shape the way individuals perceive their ideal job. This year also brings a very different landscape in the ever-evolving workforce and the continual shift in expectations and desires of employees in search of “The Perfect Career”. Here comes the million-dollar question: “So what can I do as an employer to be better equipped to attract and retain top talent whil ..read more

Where do I even start? I’m sure this question has crossed your mind at some point if you’ve ever been in the hiring business. Rest assured, you aren’t alone. Since its inception 12 years ago, Essence understands how hard it can be to find experienced candidates who “fit” into each company’s culture and values. This can be, at times, one of the hardest parts of our job, although one of the most important, as it creates a cohesive and positive work environment, fosters employee engagement, and attracts top talent. When it comes to hiring new team members, finding candidates who align with your c ..read more

Almost 3 years ago, the world paused. Following this, there have been conversations about an economic recession in some areas of Canada (and even around the world). But there are no signs of a recession close to home, especially when you consider all the projects and injections of money into cities like Calgary and Saskatoon from the governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan. What does this mean? It means we have a labour shortage in almost every sector, in addition to all the other issues happening on a global-scale.  Why Is There a Labour Shortage? Companies weren’t hiring in the early da ..read more

If you’re about to start searching for a new hire to join your team, the thought of screening & interviewing dozens of candidates might feel a bit daunting.  To save yourself the overwhelm, you might be considering working with an executive recruitment firm (also known as “headhunters”) to outsource the hiring process. This way, you can focus on your business instead of dedicating time & resources to compile the questions & assess all the candidates yourself. But how do you know which recruitment agency is the best fit for your organization? Similar to hiring, finding the righ ..read more

Finding and recruiting the best talent for your team requires a significant amount of effort, resources, and expertise. If your organization is smaller or mid-sized, sometimes bandwidth is in scarce supply. In which case, you may want to partner with an executive search firm.  But did you know that not every executive recruitment firm is the same? All search firms (also known as “headhunters”) are different and their processes vary depending on the organizations they work with. The right search firm can save your team a lot of time and, in turn, money. If you’re not sure whether an execut ..read more