Recruitment

Feb

2024

Protecting Yourself Against Employment Scams

With nearly half of all Canadians being targeted by fraudulent activity last year, it’s not surprising that scammers have taken to preying on job seekers in an already difficult market. It’s more important now than ever to be able to recognize and protect yourself from potential scams and fraud.

As AI becomes more readily available, online and phone scams become more convincing. While the majority of us know the basics of protecting ourselves online, the technology associated with fraudulent activity is improving faster than some people can keep up. Especially during a job search, it can be tempting to assume the best when you receive an exciting opportunity or offer, but it’s important to remember that not every opportunity is legitimate. Due to the prevalence of these scams, recruitment agencies have become well-versed in identifying and weeding out suspicious offers. Here are our top tips to help protect yourself in your job search:

1. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is

Scammers typically prey on people in vulnerable situations when identifying potential targets. Due to an unstable labour market, cost of living crisis, and difficult economic circumstances, people in active job searches can be an easy target for fraudulent activity. Scammers know that looking for work can be a tiresome and disheartening process, and by delivering too-good-to-be-true offers, they attempt to catch people who would otherwise be able to identify a scam in a moment of weakness. Remember, if someone reaches out to you with an offer for a job with extremely high pay for little work, unrealistic flexibility, job offers without an interview, or an upfront bonus without signing, it’s worth doing some extra due diligence to verify the details before engaging further.

2. Be wary of requests for money, wire transfer, or application fees

While there is some international debate about charging job application fees (and there are some places in the world where this is the norm), no one is authorized to charge a fee for job applications in British Columbia. This applies to B.C. residents and temporary foreign workers – if a company requires an application fee, it’s best to walk away. The same goes for wire transfer requests, signing fees, or charging you for credit or background checks. Reputable companies will pay overhead for the fees incurred during the hiring process, and job seekers should be wary of anyone who tries to charge them to be an employee.

3. Verify suspicious recruitment communications

We’re seeing more and more scams involving impersonating recruiters, and it’s important to be aware of the differences in communication between a real recruiter and someone pretending to be one. Most recruitment scams involve a text message about a job that you most likely didn’t apply for, but be careful – some scammers may reference a job that actually exists online, so if you have a bad feeling about something, it’s always best to verify the identity of the person you’re talking to. The majority of reputable recruiters will not send their first communication over text, and will instead message you on LinkedIn, email you from an address associated with a real firm, or call you from local number.

If you’re ever unsure if the person you’re talking to is a real recruiter, don’t be afraid to check their identity by connecting with them on LinkedIn, cross referencing the email address they’re communicating from with the URL of the agency, or simply calling or emailing the contacts listed on their agency’s website. Real recruiters are aware of the prevalence of these scams and will be happy to provide the information you request. If someone gets angry or hostile with you for wanting to validate the legitimacy of a job posting or verify their identity, it’s usually not a good sign.

4. Don’t give out personal information upfront

It’s part of the process to give out personal info during your search, but things like your social security number, copies of ID, and tax information should be withheld until you’ve met the hiring team and have a contract in front of you.

Aug

2022

Improving Inclusive Hiring Practices

Inclusive hiring is incredibly important for a number of reasons. Not only does it open your business to a widened range of viewpoints, approaches, and management styles, but it can be a net positive for an organization’s overall success. With benefits such as employee retention, productivity, and an increase in employee satisfaction, hiring with the goal of inclusivity means spotlighting hiring practices that recognize diversity and new perspective. But inclusive hiring is about more than recruiting with the intent to tick off a box. It should include an active effort to eliminate bias on an organizational level, while actively preventing discrimination. But regardless of your place within your business, where do you start?

1. Evaluate your weak spots and consider what diversity means to you.

What are you missing in the success of your organization? This could be an open line of communication for all employees, a wide range of employee perspective, generational gaps, experience gaps, or intersectionality. Often, when you can identify the areas in which your business is lacking, it’s easier to see where the blank spots exist. Once you’ve effectively identified areas of improvement, approaching a diverse hiring strategy is much more manageable.

2. Pivot your brand identity.

Brand identity is critical to ensuring your business is approachable and welcoming to all applicants at the source. In some industries that can be more male-dominated, messaging can benefit from a makeover. Identify language that could deter visitors to your social media or website, and pivot to inclusive messaging. A good rule of thumb here is to communicate with the goal of making everyone feel like your target audience. Depending on your business there may be exceptions to this rule, such as when you’re identifying specific skill sets or industry experience, but for the most part, your language should be non-gendered, free of stereotypes or generalizations, and neutral in tone.

3. Re-evaluate your job posting strategy

Using inclusive language is important when postings jobs too, but it can also be beneficial to evaluate what job boards you’re utilizing to attract candidates. Some large job sites such as Indeed may have the option to highlight posts for minority groups or persons with disabilities, but getting creative with your posting strategy can be a great approach as well. A good place to start is to check out local non-profit organizations or event groups that have job boards. These can include groups for women in tech, new immigrants, or people with disabilities. Not only will this increase your applicant pool, but you’ll have the opportunity to meet people who may not have otherwise applied.

4. Eliminate career growth obstacles

Larger businesses should already have an internal recruiting strategy in place, but implementing internal mobility tracking can help you to identify where obstacles exist for employees, and paint a clearer picture of growth progression for all employees. As an added bonus, this will help with employee retention and overall morale too!

5. Be mindful during the interview process

The interview process can be intimidating for anyone, but it’s especially important to consider how your organization can benefit from more inclusive practices. Consider a gender balanced interview panel, and be mindful of obstacles your interviewee may have faced over their employment history. You don’t have to compromise on your qualification requirements in every case, but being open to a variety of career paths and employment backgrounds will allow you to see talent and valuable attributes that you may not have encountered otherwise.

6. Keep an eye on your metrics

It may not make sense for smaller companies to track hiring metrics, but larger organizations can only benefit from having an idea of what their hiring looks like from a broader perspective. Some applicant tracking systems can highlight the differences between why certain employees were hired over others, and display pipeline obstacles for candidates with diverse backgrounds. It can also help to keep track of things like how new hires are fitting in with their peers, or employees who may be falling behind.

Do you have a specific hiring need that isn’t being met? Are you having difficultly finding and retaining top talent? Stellar can help. Get in touch with our sales team here.

Aug

2022

The Power of References in Recruitment

What kind of references are your potential future employers looking for? Let’s unfold the secret!

When trying to land a new job, you will go through interviews, technical tests, and other ways to ensure that the information in your resume is accurate. This is important for companies as they want to make sure you’ll succeed in your potential role, and a job is more enjoyable and fulfilling when your skillset matches your job responsibilities. As part of this process, you will go through a reference check. Your recruiter wants to learn what it’s like working with you, as well as get to know you better. It’s important to remember that even if you’ve passed the interviews and technical tests, a bad reference check can change everything.

Here are some tips when choosing your references:

1. Include direct supervisors or direct managers

Including your former direct manager or supervisor is essential for us to get a clear picture of your ability to manage workloads and meet deadlines. Including a supervisor or manager who worked with you once or for a short period could affect your reference check. Their knowledge of your skills is based on a single interaction. This affects the depth of their answers. In contrast, a direct manager has seen you grow, adapt, and accomplish goals. That’s exactly what your employer want to hear about!

2. A minimum of 2 references

There is no magic number for how many references you need. Depending on the company, having at least 2 references is a must. Two of them should be supervisors or managers and the other ones can be colleagues or project teammates, depending on the requirements for the role you’ve applied for.

3. Let your references know that are going to be using them

Make sure your references are aware of what position you are applying for, when to expect a call, and who might be calling them. Ensure they give details that are relevant to the job you are applying for. If your reference does not pick up the call after a couple of tries, it might look bad for you as a candidate.

4. Include your most recent references

Recent references are those within 5 to 7 years. References should be relevant to the area that you are applying for. What if you have a good reference that is 10 years old? It depends. References should be from your most recent place(s) of employment. If you have been working for the same company for 5 years, then including a 10-year-old reference would add some diversity to your reference package if it’s from a different company. It’s important to remember to be careful, however, when including current employment references. If they are aware and comfortable with you looking for another job, then it might be safe to do so. Otherwise, you can consider including a manager or team lead that used to work there.

5. Adding other references that are not direct supervisors/managers

If you have already included direct supervisors/ managers and still need one more reference, you can still have a strong set of references. Your recruiter also wants to know what is like working with you, and what your colleagues think about you. You can include indirect managers, project managers, key clients, a senior colleague, or a team lead. Though these should not be your top references, they are still a great option.

Did we miss anything on our list? Let us know! Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

May

2021

How to Make Your Job Search Work for You

When you’re looking for a job, it can feel like it’s all you have time to do. Between scrolling job boards, making calls, sending emails, preparing your resumes for dozens of applications, writing cover letters, interviewing….. the list goes on. But it doesn’t have to be like that. Keep reading to learn how to make your job search work for you (and not the other way around).

1. Generalize Your Resume

When you’re searching for specific roles, it may not make sense to pare your resume down to the basics. But it can be helpful – starting with a general resume featuring your skills, employment history, and profile will make it much easier to tailor it to your desired roles later on. All you’ll have to do is modify the details to fit the specifics of the job rather than starting from scratch every time.

2. Use Job Boards to Your Advantage

Once you have a resume that ticks all of the boxes, upload it to job sites like Monster or Indeed to let employers find you. Hiring managers often perform resume searches when they can’t find the right candidate, and having an up-to-date resume uploaded to popular job sites can be a huge advantage. This is especially true for passive job seekers – if you’re not on a time crunch, you can sit back and let potential employers find you.

3. Work with Recruiters

Recruiters and recruitment agencies can be huge assets to any job seeker, but they’re especially beneficial when you’re looking for someone to take the guesswork out of your job application. Recruiters can help you perfect your resume, brush up on the necessary technical skills you need to succeed, prepare for interviews, and present yourself to potential employers. Recruiters may find your profile through job boards or networking sites like LinkedIn, but a great first step is sending in an application to the agency (like ours! Reach us at info@stellar-recruitment.com). In many cases, your profile will even be added to a database to be contacted for future relevant opportunities.

4. Set Up Job Alerts

Plenty of the most popular online job boards feature job alerts that you can tailor to your exact specifications. Sites like ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn, and Indeed can be set up to send alerts to your email every time a relevant opportunity becomes available. You can even get weekly updates with a list of roles you might be interested in. Setting up job alerts combined with your uploaded resume can make applying for a job as easy as checking your inbox.

5. Make the Right Connections

Most professionals are used to using sites like LinkedIn to network with like-minded people in their industry. But it can be worth it to make connections on other social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and even Instagram. Letting a broader network of people (even your friends, family, and old colleagues) know that you’re on the hunt for new opportunities will open up plenty of new potential leads. Take a moment to send a few messages and emails letting others know that you’re on the market and make new professional connections.

Do you have any other tips and tricks that you use in your job search? Let us know in the comments below to be featured in future articles!

Aug

2020

6 Tips to Help Your Job Search During COVID-19

With a changing job market, economic downturn, and the uncertainty that’s come with this global health crisis, your job search may have been put on the back burner. Today, we’re covering 6 tips to help you keep up with your job search and tackle the obstacles that you may face in the current job market.

1. Be Adaptable

With COVID-19’s effects on the economy and job market, it’s important to remember to be adaptable to change. Hiring and recruiting processes, work environment, and required skills and experience are all changing with the requirements of a mid-pandemic market, and evaluating your expectations and priorities can help you align your job search to fit the type of role you’re looking for.

2. Don’t Give Up

It can be tempting to put a pause on your job search amid so much uncertainty, but keep in mind that hiring situations can change at any time. Reach out to hiring managers or recruiters that you’ve been in contact with in the past, and keep your resume updated on job search sites.

3. Broaden Your Search

It can be disheartening to find a lack of jobs in your field during your job search. To expand your options, think about additional roles you may be interested in pursuing, consider how the work you were doing before the pandemic has changed and evolved, and be open to exploring roles you may not have previously considered.

4. Consider Contract Work

Permanent opportunities have been disappearing for the past several months – but for some, it’s easier than ever to find contract work. If you haven’t already, consider searching for contract or temporary roles. Many of these contracts span several months, feature the possibility of extension, and can even offer higher rates than regular permanent roles. Connecting with a recruiter in your area is a great way to learn about contract opportunities and prepare yourself for temporary employment.

5. Expand Your Online Network

It’s more important than ever to equip yourself with the skills necessary to effectively network online. Update your LinkedIn profile, check out social media groups, and consider reaching out to recruiters and hiring managers in your field. Networking online helps you to learn about opportunities you may not have known about otherwise, and allows you to connect with people that will be invaluable throughout every stage of your job search.

6. Be Prepared for Remote Interviews and Work

One of the biggest changes since the onset of COVID-19 has been the push towards remote hiring practices and remote work. Because of this, a great way to equip yourself for a successful job search is to get prepared for this ahead of time. Set up a comfortable home office, get organized, and consider investing in a quality webcam to help you stand out during potential interviews.

Don’t forget – Stellar Recruitment is here to help during these difficult times. If you or someone you know is struggling in their hiring practices or job search, get in touch at info@stellar-recruitment.com to speak to a recruiter today.

Images provided by Agefis and Green Chameleon.

Feb

2020

Top 5 Reasons to Work with an Agency Recruiter

1. They Can Answer Questions You’re Too Afraid to Ask

We’ve all been there – you have a job interview coming up that you’re trying to prepare for, but you have no idea what to expect. What are the most important things to know about the company? What are the hiring managers like? What questions should you ask? What should you wear?

Working with a recruiter allows you to have an insider’s point of view into the hiring process. Your recruiter has likely prepared candidates for interviews with your desired company dozens of times, which allows them to know the ins and outs of that specific interview process. So if you’ve ever had a question that you’re just too afraid to ask during an interview, ask your recruiter – you might be surprised at what you can learn to set yourself up for success.

2. They Want You to Succeed

Unlike applying directly to a company and working with their HR team throughout the hiring process, working with an agency recruiter ensures their full attention is on you, allowing you to put your best foot forward. Recruiters also benefit from you getting hired, and they’ll do whatever they can to help you win the role of your dreams.

As long as you want the job, your recruiter wants you to get the job, and they’ll do everything in their power to make it happen.

3. You’ll Gain Access to Unlisted Job Opportunities

Job hunting can get pretty tiresome when you’re seeing the same roles for the same companies posted on every job board across the internet. This is a major benefit to seeking out a recruitment agency. Due to client confidentiality, your recruiter may have access to dozens of jobs that aren’t advertised to the general public, and often for highly specialized positions. Take care to select an agency that recruits for roles in your field, and you’ll have a selection of highly desired open jobs that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.

4. You’ll Have Job Hunting Resources at Your Disposal

Do you want to learn almost every job search trick in the book? An agency recruiter is your best bet. They’ll know the ins and outs of the job market, have insider knowledge about current trends in your industry, and have the ability to link you up with top notch resources to help simplify your job search and make the process as streamlined as possible.

Your recruiter will be able to help you with resume formatting and optimization, interview tips, market trends, and everything in between. If your ultimate goal is to land the best job you can get, working with a recruiter is the way to do it.

5. They’re With You All the Way

Whether you’re a first-time contractor, long-term permanent employee searching for a new opportunity, or the most seasoned consultant out there, starting a new role can be daunting. This is where your recruiter can play a huge part in your overall success at a new company. They’ll act as a liaison for you to celebrate your victories, voice your concerns, and share your thoughts about how your job is going, even in the weeks and months following your original placement. Your relationship with your recruiter can be one that develops throughout the course of your professional career, and it’s hugely beneficial great to have someone in your corner throughout the ups and downs of your job search.

For information about working with a Stellar recruiter, visit our I’m Job Hunting page to learn more, or send us an email at info@stellar-recruitment.com.