The 5 Ws of Hiring Employees in Canada: Who, What, When, Where & Why
Recruitment and hiring can be a bit of a minefield due to costs, demand and supply of talent, and the competitive job market, among other things. In Canada, companies now spend an average of $23,860 per candidate. Recruiting fees also take up 20%-30% of an employee’s salary, including costs of job advertisements, background screenings, and the administrative overhead of finding the right candidate.
These numbers highlight the importance of finding the right employees in the recruitment stage. However, that might be difficult if you lack the time, resources, and manpower. This is where agencies for employment come into play. They offer employment solutions to streamline recruitment and help companies fill job vacancies with the right people.
In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of finding job-fit employees and how a Canada employment agency can help you hire the right people for your organization.
Importance of Finding Job-Fit Employees
Hiring the right people is important for any business, especially startups since they work with limited capital. However, not everyone recognizes this idea. Here are the reasons why finding the right people for the job is crucial.
• Enhances performance and productivity
When you hire individuals with the right skills, experience, and qualifications for a specific role, they’re more likely to perform their tasks efficiently and effectively. The right people bring relevant expertise and knowledge to the job, leading to increased productivity and improved performance.
• Improves employee engagement and satisfaction
Employees who feel their skills are utilized and valued are more likely to be motivated, enthusiastic, and committed. As a result, companies can experience higher productivity levels and cultivate a positive work environment.
• Reduces employee turnover
When employees are a good fit for their roles, they are more likely to be satisfied with their work, have higher job fulfillment, and develop a sense of loyalty towards the organization. These benefits reduce the costs associated with recruitment, training, and onboarding new employees.
How to Hire Employees in Canada
The recruitment, hiring, and employee onboarding processes are not as easy as they sound. However, don’t fret; we’re here to guide you. Here are the five Ws of hiring employees in Canada you should take note of.
WHO: Types of Employees Small Businesses Need to Hire
Small businesses in Canada may need to hire various types of employees based on their specific needs and industry. Here are different types of employees that you can hire.
• Administrative and office staff
These employees handle day-to-day administrative tasks, such as managing schedules, coordinating appointments, organizing paperwork, and providing general office support.
• Sales and marketing professionals
Sales and marketing employees help promote products or services, generate leads, build customer relationships, and drive sales growth through various channels, including online marketing, social media, and direct sales.
• Customer service representatives
Customer service employees interact with customers, answer inquiries, provide support, handle complaints, and ensure customer satisfaction. They’re essential for maintaining positive customer relationships and enhancing the business’s reputation.
• Skilled tradespeople
Depending on the industry, small businesses may require skilled tradespeople such as electricians, plumbers, carpenters, mechanics, or technicians. These employees have specialized skills and knowledge to perform specific tasks related to their trade.
• Content creators and digital specialists
In the digital age, businesses often require employees skilled in content creation, digital marketing, social media management, graphic design, or web development to enhance their online presence and reach target audiences.
WHAT: How to Assess Skills and Experience of Potential Employees
Pre-employment screening is crucial for small businesses in Canada to make informed hiring decisions. Here are some tips to help you effectively evaluate candidates’ skills and experience.
• Define job requirements clearly
Create a detailed job description outlining the essential skills and specific experience candidates need to excel in the role they’re applying for. Doing so can reduce instances of misunderstandings and save time and resources.
• Request work samples or portfolios
If applicable to the role, ask candidates to provide work samples or portfolios that showcase their skills and experience. Examples could include writing samples, design work, code samples, or project documentation. Review these materials to assess the candidate’s abilities firsthand.
• Conduct skills assessments
Consider conducting skills assessments or tests to evaluate candidates’ proficiency in areas directly relevant to the job. Some tests you can provide include practical exercises, problem-solving tasks, or simulations that assess their ability to perform critical job functions.
• Involve multiple stakeholders
In the assessment process, engage relevant stakeholders, such as team members or department heads, to provide diverse perspectives and insights into the candidate’s fit within the team and organization.
• Provide practical tests or trial periods
In some cases, providing candidates with practical tests or trial periods to observe their skills and performance in real work situations can help you validate their abilities before making a final hiring decision.
WHEN: Factors to Consider When Deciding When to Hire
If you already have a working staff, you may hesitate to hire more since recruitment and onboarding processes are costly. However, you should evaluate your organization’s capacities and needs to ensure you continue operating smoothly. Here are some signs you need to expand your workforce.
• Workload and capacity
Assess your existing team’s current workload and capacity. Determine if the workload is sustainable or if additional staff are needed to handle the workload effectively and maintain productivity.
• Growth and expansion plans
Consider your business’s growth trajectory and expansion plans. If you anticipate an increase in demand or plan to expand into new markets or offerings, hiring additional staff may be necessary to support growth and capitalize on opportunities.
• Time and training considerations
Assess the time required for recruiting, onboarding, and training new employees. Consider if you have the bandwidth to dedicate time and resources to effectively onboard and train new hires, ensuring a smooth integration into the team and the business.
• Organizational structure and roles
Review your current organizational structure and roles. Assess potential gaps or overlaps in responsibilities that could be addressed through strategic hiring. Determine if restructuring or creating new positions is necessary to optimize workflow and maximize efficiency.
• Employee work-life balance
Consider the workload and work-life balance of your current employees. If employees are consistently overwhelmed or unable to meet deadlines, it may indicate that additional staff is needed to distribute the workload more evenly and prevent burnout.
WHERE: Where to Find Potential Employees
Once you’re ready to hire more employees, you can advertise your job vacancies in many ways. Here are some places you can look for competent workers.
• Online job boards
Utilize popular online job boards such as Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Monster to post job openings and reach a wide pool of candidates actively seeking employment.
• Company website
Advertise job vacancies on your company’s website or careers page. Doing so allows interested candidates already familiar with your business to apply directly.
• Social media platforms
Leverage the power of social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to promote job openings and engage with potential candidates. Join relevant industry groups and share job postings within those communities.
• Employment agencies and recruitment firms
Collaborate with reputable employment agencies or recruitment firms that specialize in your industry. They can help you source and screen candidates, saving you time and effort in hiring.
• Online professional networks and forums
Engage in online professional networks and forums relevant to your industry. Platforms like LinkedIn Groups or industry-specific forums allow you to connect with professionals who may be interested in job opportunities.
WHY: How to Make the Most of Your Hiring Process
Hiring employees for your small business requires careful consideration. Here are some tips on improving your hiring process.
• Streamline the application process
Simplify and streamline your application process to avoid losing candidates due to lengthy or complicated procedures. Make it easy for applicants to submit their resumes and relevant documents.
• Provide a positive candidate experience
Treat candidates with respect and professionalism throughout the hiring process. Communicate promptly, provide updates, and offer a positive experience regardless of the final outcome. Doing so helps build a strong employer brand and leaves a lasting impression.
• Offer competitive compensation and benefits
Research industry standards and ensure that your compensation and benefits package is competitive as it will help attract top talent and demonstrate your commitment to valuing employees.
Learn how the top employment agency in Canada assesses job seekers before deployment through The Staffhouse Way of Hiring.
How a Canada Employment Agency can Help
If the steps above look overwhelming, consider working with an employment company like Staffhouse International Resources to fulfill your recruitment needs. We have the network and connections to match you with job-fit employees that may be difficult to find through traditional recruitment methods. We also offer specialized recruitment services for the in-demand industries in Canadaand have deployed more than 30,000 Filipino workers abroad.
Fully understanding that companies change their needs over time, we also provide personalized recruitment strategies to help you adapt to job market trends.
Visit our website to learn more about our recruitment services. You can also reach us on Facebook or via email at info@staffhouse.com for inquiries.
