Despite the current instability in world markets, Randstad Canada has noticed a steady growth in quarterly demand in Halifax. Ending the second quarter in 2012 with a high, Halifax is seeing an increase in demand of 90% when compared to the second quarter in 2011. Since Q2 2011, Randstad Canada has seen an average of 10% growth in demand in Halifax.
Among the Randstad divisions operating in Halifax, our Engineering and Technology group has seen growth in demand in Q2 2012 over Q1 2012. Within our Engineering division, we saw a 50% increase in Q2 2012 from the previous quarter with increases in both, contract and permanent demand, 69% and 33% respectively. Within our Technologies division, we saw an 8% increase in Q2 2012 from the previous quarter with increases in both, contract and permanent demand, 8% and 16% respectively for Halifax IT jobs.
Michelle Murray, Branch Manager in Halifax’s Technologies division, says, “Here in Atlantic Canada, we have seen steady demand since fall of 2011. The growth is coming from both contract and permanent requirements, which is showing us the strength and investment in IT, new projects, upgrading systems, and expansion of teams. Two key trending areas have been web development as well as the surge of network upgrades with various roles associated to these areas which are in line with the trends across the country. Needless to say as demand increases for Halifax it jobs, the availability of supply and/or niche resources has changed which has increased our business. Traditionally clients have contacted us for senior resources and they still do however we have been seeing demand for intermediate and some junior resources substantially increase. This is coming from the baby boomers starting to retire and lack of new graduates staying in Atlantic Canada and gaining their experience locally.”
Below is a list of roles in demand within each division of the two divisions in Q2 2012:
The Holmes and Rahe stress scale is a frequently used scale that helps to quantitatively measure the importance and impact that life events have on a person. Of the 43 life “stressors” that can impact your health, 9 of them are directly related to your employment with another 5 that are linked to changes in your income and housing. Are you thinking about changing careers? When you decide that it is time to change careers or to look for other work, it is no wonder that many people feel overwhelmed and indecisive. Where do you turn to for guidance?
Since I am speaking about the choice of changing careers, not start one, I think it’s a fair assumption that in this case, you no longer have a school guidance councilor to help you make the best decisions. So where do you turn? Who can help you? First, let’s explore why you want to move.
I have found that most people who are looking for new permanent employment are doing so for one of the following reasons:
• Looking for a new challenge
• Looking to make more money
• Looking to improve their work/life balance
• Looking to remove themselves from a politically charged/ bad employment situation
Once you delve deeper into the “coined” phrases above, the common thread is that people feel undervalued. Whether it’s not being paid enough money for what they do, not being promoted as quickly as they think they should or not being adequately respected for what they do. In short, they think they are worth more than ‘that’.
First thing you need to do is determine what exactly you are looking for. Make your expectations realistic. There is nothing worse than a potential candidate coming in and saying they would like a $20,000 raise. The reality is you can expect to make the same amount you are making now, plus or minus $5,000 - $7,000. Notice the minus.
Many times, to get “that job”, you need to take a slight pay cut. You should see room for growth and the ability to realize your next position. Also, don’t expect a raise (in salary or title) every 3 months. It is not going to happen. If you can hone in on what it is that is making you feel undervalued at your current place of employment, you stand a very good chance of progressing in your career.
As for who can help you wade through all the openings and interviews that you are about to embark on, the answer is easier than it seems: us; Randstad Canada. Being the country’s largest staffing and placement company, with decades of experience, any of our recruiting community would be happy to help you through this life-changing experience.
By: Jeanette Lampe
Having one of the highest employment rates, Alberta is currently leading Canada in economic growth. Randstad Engineering has chosen Calgary as a focus for this week’s Canadian Workforce Trends due to the demand Calgary is continuing to experience for Engineers and skilled technical workers. Accounting for 21% of Randstad Engineering’s demand in Q1 2012, second highest regional demand, Calgary is showing a 16% increase in Engineering demand in Q1 2012 over the same period one year ago.
Looking deeper into Calgary, and even the entire province, the boom within the Oil and Gas sectors and the oilsands specifically, has positively affected not only the province’s economy, but also the entire country. Randstad Canada recently issued a press release wherein Mike Winterfield, President of Randstad Professionals, quotes, “Demand has risen over the last 18 months for the resources, resulting in many of the large Oil and Gas owners looking at and re-starting projects which were put into a holding pattern or outright shelved during Q1 2009.” With demand on the rise, Mike Winterfield predicted an ongoing shortage in seasoned engineers and managers trending towards an extreme shortage, in an article written by the Calgary Herald. As a potential remedy for the shortage, “Randstad is advising clients to get creative, to think of ways to spread the leadership around by building teams of engineers with varying levels of experience.” How these sectors will overcome the challenges Randstad Canada has predicted will have a critical impact on the Canadian economy going forward.
Below are the top roles and industries that were in demand in Q1 2012 within the Calgary area.
Sources:
Randstad Canada News Room - Oil Sands Jobs Help Drive Alberta’s Economy -
Calgary Herald - Oil Sands Expansion Ramps up Demand for Engineers -
IMPORTANT: Open Interviews on Thursday, April 11 will be cancelled. Please submit your resume to lauralee.guthrie@randstad.ca instead.
Social Media Internships in Toronto
The demand for social media skillsets are on the rise as companies are realizing the importance of social media mandates and two way communication. Sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn are growing at an exponential rate, reaching as many as 900+ million users.
At Randstad, we have been using social media to engage with targeted audiences in new, creative ways. "We are always testing and listening. It's an exciting, fast-paced industry; every morning I check out the latest blogs and industry news to see what has changed that day and how that affects our business strategy", Lauralee Guthrie, Director Digital & Social Media.
One of the biggest challenges for companies today is finding someone who understands the nuances of each network and how to leverage it for business. Many new graduates live and breathe social media, but there are corporate processes and strategies, as well as the right voice and persona of your brand, that needs to be aligned with the social media presence.
On LinkedIn, social media has been ranked as the 99th most popular skill to have from LinkedIn users and its popularity has increased 43% year over year. There have also been significant increases in other digital marketing skills such as social media marketing (41%), keyword research (22%), SEO (17%), and Google Adwords (15%).
Have you recently graduated from University or College, or are you close to graduating? Are you looking for experience in one of the fastest growing careers in a positive and thriving work environment? We also work with many universities for credit opportunities!
If you live in Toronto and are looking for a great opportunity to gain some hands on experience in the realm of Social Media, Search Engine Optimization, and Digital Marketing, then look no further! Randstad Canada is offering a 3 month Social Media Internship opportunity in Toronto complete with training. Learn how to use social media for business!
The internship will start on Monday, April 22. We also have spots available for July and September, each for a 3 month internship.
If you are a student or post graduate student, interested in gaining hands on experience with Search Engines, Social Media, and Digital Marketing, then please read below!
SEO & Social Media Intern Responsibilities:
• Work closely with the Digital & Social Media Director to create online content and to post approved content on targeted sites.
• Conduct online research.
• Monitor online content and follow moderation and escalation guidelines.
• Develop online materials according to standard formatting and branding guidelines.
• Update and distribute reports, schedules, and other information to appropriate parties.
• Conduct any general duties, specific projects, and responsibilities as assigned.
• Communicate with other parties by phone, email and through social means.
• Assist in the preparation and organization of online materials for special events (such as trade shows, career fairs, open interviews, seminars, etc.)
• Search engine optimization
Please note that there is also a large emphasis on the SEO component of this internship. You should be a confident writer with copywriting skills but full training will be provided for the following:
• Formatting of content: for web, blogging and articles
• Editing existing content for SEO
• Keyword research
• Link building
• Online research
• Social media
What are we looking for?
• A personable and reliable individual with a strong work ethic
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Copywriting experience
• A degree or 3rd year student
• Bilingual in French is not required but an asset
You will also develop valuable skills as you work closely with the Marketing team and handle other important tasks. But most importantly, you will be a part of a real team environment where you will receive a high level of support from dedicated individuals who believe in what they do. This program runs for approximately 150-250 hours and is an educational, unpaid program.
If you have the right attitude, the right educational background, and are ready to finally prove yourself in the field you are passionate about, then we can’t wait to get to know you! Apply to Randstad Canada today!
No school can show you what a 3 month internship at Randstad Canada can!
If you know someone who could be interested, please share and forward this posting.
Thanks and have a great week!
Lauralee Guthrie
Director of Digital & Social Media
Randstad Canada
Endurance, commitment and relentless drive, does this describe your ideal employee? If so, consider the fact that athletes master many great skills which are transferable to the world of work. Their life skills are qualities of a good employee that can be applied to any field of career and are often sought after by hiring managers.
Living in a country that offers four seasons is a treat (most of the year) but it can be difficult for people whose careers and livelihood depend on the seasons and Mother Nature! In response, Randstad Canada has partnered with PGA of Canada in order to provide golf pros with the opportunity to gain off-season employment through an ‘Athletes Placement Program’. With a short golf season in Canada this initiative allows us to help the PGA of Canada members ensure a better living during off season months.
In case you’re wondering, here are 6 of the most common transferable skills for athletes:
1. Setting Targets: Serious athletes practice daily. They know their current times, their capacities and what they need to do to win the game. If a runner wants to decrease his time by 1 second by their next race then he or she has a deadline. They need to be rigorous in their training to reach their goal and overcome any challenges that arise.
2. Reaching goals: Athletes understand that goal setting is one of the most important skills they learn as it helps them achieve optimal performance. The process of goal setting helps athletes understand where they are at the moment and where they want to be.
3. Commitment: Athletes demonstrate determination and perseverance in achieving their dreams. They continue to play even after a tough loss, they understand that if you fail the first time you need to persevere and keep trying.
4. Performing under pressure: Do you get ‘butterflies’ in your stomach before a big presentation or meeting? An athlete goes through similar emotions. They get nervous and jittery before a big game and many learn to channel this pressure into positive intensity to boost their performance.
5. Problem Solving: Athletes learn this so that when situations change, game plans fail, opponents change tactics, or other problems arise, they can modify their strategies and techniques.
6. Interpersonal Skills: Athletes acquire team-related and interpersonal skills, such as the ability to deal with people and work together towards a common goal. Athletes who participate in team sports have to learn to get along with their teammates and coaches if they want to reach optimal performance. How often have we seen great players have bad seasons because they weren’t well paired with their teammates?
Sounds like the type of person I’d want on my team. Don’t you agree?
• Are you a member of the PGA of Canada and would like more information about the program?
• Are you an employer looking to hire a PGA of Canada member?
By: Jennifer Banks-Halliday
Canadian Workforce Trends: Randstad Canada’s Information Technologies division, Randstad Technologies, saw a significant increase in demand for contract and permanent employment candidates from several industries in the first quarter of this year, over Q4 2011, based on our internal data tracking.
The top industry, which experienced the highest demand for Randstad’s services in Q1 2012, was the Insurance Industry, which saw an increase of 45% over the previous quarter. The insurance industry accounted for roughly 4% of our client demand in Q1 2012, a relatively small percentage; however the pace of growth from Q1 makes it an industry to watch. A couple months back, Canadian Underwriter release an article which stated, “The stability of the global insurance sector and its ability to absorb massive catastrophe losses could signal a sharp increase in demand in the near future”. As this article was release in November 2011, Randstad Canada is seeing an increase in demand within this sector in Q1 2012. To view the complete article, please visit the web address below.
The second highest industry, in terms of a significant increase in demand from Q4 2011, was Systems Integration with an increase of 42%. This industry not only experienced the second highest demand, but is also the highest overall demand in Q1 2012 with an overall total of 24%. Financial Services closely follows in third with a 37% increase from Q4 2011, accounting for the second highest overall demand in Q1 2012 of 17%.
For those interested in an IT career within the highest industries, in Q1 2012, below are some sample roles that are in demand in their respective industry.
Source: Canadian Underwriter - Insurance sector positioned for surge in demand: Willis - http://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/news/insurance-sector-positioned-for-surge-in-demand-willis/1000663539/
Every company needs student recruitment strategies to put into play in order to hire the best talent and to gain a competitive edge over their competition. Face it - one of the most effective methods for recruiting and connecting with Canada’s brightest undergraduate and graduate students is to develop and maintain a strategic and visible presence on campuses across the country.
Still don’t see the value? Here are 5 reasons why your company needs effective student recruitment strategies now:
The war on talent. An aging population, the first baby boomers turning 65 and the declining birth rate point to a serious talent shortage in the coming years. A good campus recruiting strategy will certify a steady flow of new grads into your company year after year will ensure that you build a pipeline of future leaders. If you have gaps in your intake you’ll have gaps in your supply!
Your competitive edge. Recruiting is becoming more competitive. Top campus employers have a strong offering and get to the top students first, while they are still at school. Don’t let your competitor snag the best ones, a good campus recruiting strategy will keep your company ‘top of mind’ when it comes time for those students to think about work.
Increase diversity of generations in your workforce. There are numerous benefits to multigenerational teams when they work well together. An inclusive work environment will lead to business success by enhancing a company’s business results. For example your company will gain from stronger decision making because they’ll be broad-based with multiple perspectives and the team will be more innovative and creative.
Groom and promote from within. Hiring your employees straight out of university will allow you to mold them to your ideal. These new hires are coached and mentored from within then promoted, enabling higher employee retention and engagement rates.
Ensure the transfer of knowledge. You want to make sure knowledge is shared among your employees. You want to make sure it stays within your company and isn’t lost when older workers retire.
Does your company have a great strategy in place? What hurdles have you encountered? What are your best practices? Post a comment below and share your thoughts.
By: Jennifer Banks-Halliday
Randstad Canada’s IT division, Randstad Technologies' latest Canadian workforce trends shows that several IT job categories received a significant increase in the first quarter of this year over Q4 2011.
The top IT job category, which saw a 78% increase from Q4 2011, was Architects. This job category includes IT roles such as Application Development Architects, Business Architects, Database Architects and Network/Infrastructure Architects. Tom Turpin, EVP of Sales at Randstad Canada, say’s “I’m not surprised to see architecture roles experiencing a large gain. Many organizations we deal with are feeling pressure to innovate and drive productivity. Often this is achieved through technology. Architecture, along with Business Analytics spearhead the drive forward.”
Capturing 15% of the total demand in Q1 2012, Architectural roles took a significant lead this quarter; this may indicate the beginning of new project life cycles as architects are commonly employed for planning and design. For a list of sample roles within each of the top categories, please see below:
Randstad Canada is looking for qualified candidates for these positions and many more.
Engineering jobs
Sales & Marketing jobs
Human Resources jobs
Finance & Accounting jobs
For positions in administrative support, skilled trades and industrial management, please visit randstad.ca. Register online today and search through thousands of jobs across Canada!
Devastating. Violated. Victimized. Last night, I was hacked... Twitter hacked!! I now feel what Paris Hilton must have felt. And that realization made me shudder. A little. In the online community, have I achieved that level of notoriety? Does someone really want to be ME??!!
But that feeling has since given way to anger. I have worked hard to develop the meager following I have. No one can sling a Bachelor zinger or quote back innocuous lines from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia like this girl. And with one simple move, that credibility has been destroyed.
Where do I go from here??? Through a little searching, here are the steps I took to get my social personality back:
1. Freak out: It’s a violation, plain and simple. You are entitled to a little freak out. Do it, it’s cathartic. Now take a minute and calm down. You can handle this – this is not a life and death situation. Time to shake off the crazy and figure out your plan of attack.
2. Change your password: Request a password reset immediately. If you login on your mobile phone, be sure to logout and then log back in with your new password. You want to ensure that your password is changed by all means that you use to access the site – this will prevent those dastardly hackers from messing with you more. Don’t worry if you experience a few unsuccessful attempts - you may be locked out, but the Twitter staff will help you with a reset. They’re pretty timely, too.
3. Check your applications: Do you have multiple applications that link in to your Twitter account? It might be time to review their security/validity. There may be some applications in there that you don’t recognize – delete them. They are likely the source of your problems.
4. Contact support: Still having troubles? The support team will help. They may do a password reset for you – don’t panic, no information is sent to e-mail addresses other than the one used to create your Twitter account. Totally safe and secure.
5. Congratulate yourself: You made it, champ! Now get back out there and let your family and friends know that you’re baaaaackk!
To avoid this drama in future, always practice Safe Tweeting: Be mindful of sharing personal information; it’s better to be safe than sorry. With a little caution, you can navigate the world of social media safely and enjoyably. Happy tweeting!
By: Donna Alexander
Yesterday, Toronto’s trendy Malaparte was the place to lunch. Randstad Canada hosted a Women in leadership lunch and learn event where some of Canada’s most successful women, with varying experiences and diverse achievements, met for a lovely lunch before exchanging thought-provoking ideas and inspiration on the topic of female leadership in a changing world.
Over 100 guests enjoyed an exceptional keynote address from Susie Wolff, development driver for the Williams F1 racing team, and one of only a handful of women who have driven in F1 in its history! She talked candidly about how she handled the highs and the lows that led her to where she is today.
Our own Executive Vice President of Marketing, Stacy Parker also led a panel discussion featuring Tova White, Vice President, Human Resources, Coca Cola Canada, Gayla Brock-Woodland, Managing Director, MS&L, Dr. Wendy Cukier, Vice President Research and Innovation, and Manju Jessa, Senior Counsel, RBC Law Group and Lucille D’Souza, Senior Counsel, RBC Law Group. They discussed their personal experiences, how they made their way to the top and, of course, what makes them successful and effective leaders.
As a woman in the workforce today, I could not have been more inspired! It thrills me to be a part of valuable events like this that foster insightful conversations about such an important and timely topic affecting today and tomorrow’s evolving work of work. Go Randstad Canada for recognizing, inspiring and empowering women like me!!
By: Dayana Fraser