What is a FAST Driver?

If you’re interested in starting a lucrative career as a commercial truck driver, one aspect to consider is whether or not you want to do cross-border trucking across the U.S.-Canada border. These jobs pay higher than strictly local or domestic jobs. However, fleets often want FAST-approved or eligible drivers to take on these jobs. So, what exactly is a FAST driver, and how do you know whether you’re eligible to apply? Our driver recruitment experts at Nova Driver Services break it down for you.

What is FAST?

The Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program is a commercial clearance program for low-risk shipments entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico. This program is meant to help expedite the shipping process for commercial carriers entering the United States from land border ports. In order to participate in the FAST program, every part of the supply chain, from manufacturers to fleets to drivers, must be certified under the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) program.

Who is eligible to become a FAST driver?

There are a few qualifications in order to be eligible for the FAST program. Only drivers that are U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian citizens, Canadian lawful permanent residents, and Mexico nationals are eligible to apply for FAST membership. All applicants must be 18 years or older and possess a valid driver’s license as well.

What are the reasons for FAST program ineligibility?

Even if drivers meet all of the eligibility criteria, they may still be denied approval into the FAST program. Applicants that provide false information, have convictions or pending criminal charges, have previous customs or immigration violations in any country, are subjects to an ongoing investigation, or are inadmissible to the U.S. under immigration regulations are deemed ineligible.

What are the benefits of being a FAST driver?

Becoming a FAST driver has tons of advantages and can advance your commercial driving career. Not only do FAST drivers go through border customs faster, but carriers are always looking for FAST-approved drivers meaning you’ll have more job opportunities and can earn more!

If you’re a FAST driver looking for work, contact Nova Driver Services or check out our online job board. Our driver recruitment experts are always looking to fill positions at some of Canada’s top fleets.

Best and Worst Times of Year to Look for a Job

Are you looking for a new job? Job hunting can seem like a daunting, never-ending process, and while you might not always have control over when you need to find a new job, certain times of year are better than others. Whether you’re looking to transition to a new company or are just starting your career, here are the best and worst times of year to job hunt, according to Nova Staffing’s hiring experts.

Best Times to Look for a Job

There is no universal hiring season since every industry and position is different. However, most hiring experts agree that the beginning of the year is the best time to look for a new position. So, if you’re on the job hunt and have control over timing, try to target January and February. This is the time of year when holidays are over, people are resolved to make changes, and budgets are opened up for new hires.

Worst Times to Look for a Job

This might surprise you, but summer is the worst time to job hunt. Summertime has the least amount of vacancies, and companies are often juggling scheduling, so they don’t have time to focus on the hiring process. Candidates should also avoid looking for jobs just before the holiday season. The end of the year is stressful for most businesses, and with tight budgets and limited time, recruitment just won’t be the focus. 

Best Days to Look for a Job

It’s not just times of the year but also the days of the week that can impact your job search. Studies show that Monday is the best day of the week to apply for a job, though research also shows that Tuesday is when most job postings go up. In terms of times of the day, you’re better off sending in your resume in the early morning or late at night. This increases the chance that your resume is the first one the hiring manager sees that day. 

Worst Days to Look for a Job

The worst day of the week to submit your resume is Saturday. Recruiters likely aren’t working on the weekends, and any jobs submitted on this day will probably get buried under others that come in during the week. You should also avoid applying in the middle of the day for similar reasons. 

Final Thoughts

While some times are better than others for job searching, don’t let timing hold you back. As recruiters say, the best time is always right now. Timing won’t prevent you from getting hired; it may just cause it to take a bit longer, so don’t get discouraged. Keep up the momentum, improve your resume, and prepare for interviews. 

If you’re looking for a new job, feel free to contact one of our hiring experts at Nova Staffing or check out our online job board. 

6 Major Recruitment Mistakes Employers Commonly Make

A company is only as good as its employees but finding and hiring the right people for the job isn’t always easy. It’s not that the talent isn’t out there. Often, companies make some common recruitment mistakes. Here are some things to avoid doing, according to the experts at our hiring agency.

Not Defining Your Ideal Candidate

If you don’t know what you’re looking for, you won’t know how or if you’ve found it. Before you post a job opening, take the time to determine what you’re looking for in a candidate. Defining skills and experience is important, but also consider what personality traits would make someone successful in the role.

Not Looking Internally

Sometimes the best person for the job is already working for you! Hiring externally is a good way to add fresh blood to the office, but internal hires have the advantage of already knowing the company. Promoting internally is a great way to show others there is career growth within the company, and it rewards loyal, hardworking employees.

Making the Hiring Process Too Complicated

A lot of companies forget that hiring is a two-way street. Your business is looking to attract quality talent, but job seekers are also evaluating your company to see if they want to work there. Making the hiring process too long or complicated is a quick way to show candidates you’re not really serious about finding someone. Good hires are in hot demand, and making them jump through a lot of hoops isn’t likely to appeal to them.

Taking Too Long or Rushing

Finding the right person for a job opening can take time. Rushing the process might fill the opening sooner, but it could result in your hiring the wrong person and having to do the process over again. On the other hand, taking too long is equally as detrimental. You can’t expect quality candidates to sit around waiting forever to hear if they’ve gotten the position. A long hiring process also puts additional strain and stress on the team already in place. Be mindful of your hiring timeline.

Not Thinking About the Job Posting

Many companies make the mistake of thinking of the interview as the first impression, but it’s really the job posting. A good job posting should tell the candidate everything they need to know about the job and company. Be sure to include things such as what your company does, what the job entails, what you’re looking for in a candidate, and how they can apply.

Not Utilizing Help

Recruiting is a skill, and if your company doesn’t have a dedicated department for it, you should consider outsourcing help. The hiring process can be long and time-consuming. Rather than taking time away from other duties, let the hiring experts like Nova Staffing do it for you. Recruitment agencies have the skills and experience needed to find quality candidates within your timeline.

If you need recruitment help, contact Nova Staffing today. Our team of hiring experts has over 200 years of combined industry experience, and we’re ready to fulfill any open job positions you have.

Canada-U.S. Border Saw $35B in Truck Shipments

Trucks move the majority of goods between Canada and the United States, and they transported over $35 billion in freight across the border in October 2022. Trucks moved US$35.1 billion in goods, accounting for more than half of the $65.4 billion transborder freight.

 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the trucking industry also moved $48.2 billion in freight across the U.S.-Mexico border. Combined with Canada-U.S., this marked a 12.9% increase in North America’s transborder truck freight compared to 2021.

 

The report also highlighted the top three truck ports along the Canada-U.S. border, including Detroit, Michigan ($10.2 billion), Port Huron, Michigan ($5.8 billion), and Buffalo, New York ($5.8 billion). All three of these land ports accessed through Ontario, making them popular crossings for Canada-U.S. day trip truckers. The top three commodities moved by truck across the border included computers and parts ($5.7 billion), vehicles and parts ($4.7 billion), and electrical machinery ($2.4 billion).

 

The remaining shipments across the Canada-U.S. border were moved by pipelines ($10.3 billion), rail ($9.2 billion), air ($3.3 billion), and vessels ($3.2 billion). The value of oil increased by 7.4% between October 2022 and October 2021, contributing to the increased use of pipelines and vessels.

 

Transportation and trucking continue to be important industries in the U.S. and Canada. With rising demand and a need for qualified drivers, there are tons of lucrative career opportunities for those interested. If you’re interested in truck driving positions, contact Nova Driver Services or check out our online job board.

 

Canadian Employment Ends Year on High Note

The Canadian labor market ended 2022 on a high note, adding 104,000 jobs in December. Experts have been anticipating a slowdown in the labor market; however, the latest reports indicate the economy is showing no signs of stopping.  

 

In addition to adding 104,000 jobs, Statistics Canada also reported that the unemployment rate fell to 5% last month. This marks the country’s third decline in unemployment in four months. The report indicated that an increase in full-time work drove the rise in employment. 

 

Economists have been anticipating a downturn in the economy in the fourth quarter of 2022 in response to high-interest rates and a looming recession. However, the job numbers indicate there is no sign of a slipping economy. 

 

“It was an absolutely massive surprise,” Royce Mendes, managing director and head of macro strategy at Desjardins, told CBC News. The number was over 20 times more than the 5,000 jobs that economists had forecast, he said. “I have called this release the random number generator in the past for good reason.”

 

The majority of employment gains were in the private sector, though employment in the public sector held steady. Job gains were made across industries, with the construction industry and transportation and warehousing sector seeing the largest job growth. 

 

While the year ended on a high note for employment, wages still lagged behind the inflation rate. Wages were up 5.1%, however, that growth didn’t match Canada’s inflation rate, which was 6.8% in November 2022. Salary and wages are a huge motivation behind job changes, and employees are asking for wage bumps to meet rising costs of living. 

 

If you’re looking to hire quality candidates or are a job seeker looking for a new opportunity, contact Nova Staffing today! Our team of hiring experts has over 200 years of combined industry experience and is ready to help. 

 

Record Number of Women Employed in Canada

Canada’s employment rate for women aged 25-54 reached a record 81.6% in November. This pushed the national unemployed rate lower, to 5.1%, according to Statistics Canada. This new record rate suggests that recent labor changes made by the government are closing the longstanding gender gaps in employment. 

 

Women have faced many additional hurdles in employment for years. During the pandemic, women were disproportionally hit by unemployment. Many of the sectors hit the hardest were heavily women-led, and many of the childcare burdens fell onto them when schools and daycares closed, resulting in even more of them having to leave the job force. 

 

This gender demographic is now back and at higher rates than ever before. Job vacancies numbered nearly one million in September, and Trudeau’s subsidized daycare plan has helped women rejoin the labor market in such high numbers. 

 

The tight labor market also forced companies to consider candidates with less experience or who need more flexibility in scheduling, both conditions that often apply to women who shoulder most of the parenting responsibilities. 

 

“Women feel more confident going back into the workforce because they won’t be spending their whole paycheque on child care,” said Charles St-Arnaud, chief economist at Alberta Central. 

 

A big part of the motivation for the government’s overhaul of the national childcare system last year was to boost employment. They observed Quebec’s subsidized daycare initiative from two decades ago, noting that it allowed more women to join the workforce. This had the additional benefit of offsetting the effects of an aging population.

 

Now daycare costs can be subsidized by nearly 50%. However, there are still challenges ahead that the federal government must address. Namely, that there are enough spots in daycares to meet the increasing need. 

 

There are also concerns about how the looming recession could impact employment for women, who are often the first to sacrifice their careers during economic hardship. However, for now, these record employment numbers are to be celebrated.  

 

If you’re looking to fulfill open positions at your company, reach out to Nova Staffing today! Our team of hiring experts is ready to help find the perfect candidates for the job. 

 

5 Tips for Employers Celebrating the Holidays in Office

The wintertime is known as the holiday season for a reason. There are several key historical, religious, and federal holidays that are celebrated across a number of countries and cultures. However, this melting pot of holidays can pose a challenge to employers, especially in a growing politically correct society. Here are a few tips from our HR experts at Nova Staffing on how to successfully celebrate the winter holidays in the office.

 

Honor Government Guidelines

The first thing employers should do is ensure they know which holidays are protected under federal and provincial guidelines. In Ontario, there are three upcoming statutory holidays: Christmas Day (Dec 25), Boxing Day (Dec 26), and New Year’s Day (Jan 1). This year Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on the weekend, so make sure you’re keeping employees updated on which days they’re getting off to make up for it.

 

Plan a Celebration

The past few years have been hard for everyone, both professionally and personally. After two years of virtual celebrations, many employees are excited to finally celebrate the holidays in person with their colleagues. Plan something fun for your employees to spread the holiday joy and show your appreciation. Whether it’s a fancy dinner, a fun outing, or just a casual party in the office, your employees will be excited to have you acknowledge the holidays and the end of the year.

 

Be Inclusive

With so many holidays coming at the same time, planning separate celebrations for each just isn’t feasible. That’s why it’s so important to be inclusive with your celebrations. Gone are the days of “Christmas” parties. Now employers are embracing “holiday” celebrations that acknowledge all of the secular and religious holidays that fall during this time. It’s still possible to be festive without the Christian Christmas decorations dominating the party! This will ensure that everyone in your company feels comfortable and celebrated.

 

Keep Things Professional

While the holidays are a time to celebrate, ensure that everyone in your company- both employers and employees- are keeping things professional. If you’ve had incidents in the past at holiday celebrations, maybe remind employees of proper conduct ahead of time. This includes not over-drinking, not discussing religion, and keeping ugly holiday sweaters tasteful.  

 

Respect Time Off

Nothing kills an employee’s morale more than employers that don’t respect holiday time off. Encourage employees to enjoy their time off. Avoiding emailing them during their booked time off. If you’re allowing them to work from home, leave early, or take additional time off, make sure you’re setting the example as an employer. Many workers are hesitant to take advantage of this, thinking it will make them look bad. Remember, employers, set the tone!

 

Are you looking for more HR tips? Contact our hiring experts at Nova Staffing today!

6 Important Elements to Include on Your Resume

The most critical piece of a job hunt is a well-written resume. Your resume tells potential employers who you are and what you can do. Hiring managers often don’t have much time to pursue resumes, so having a well-crafted document is the best way to set yourself up for success. According to our hiring experts at Nova Staffing, here are the critical elements every resume needs.

 

Contact Details

You’d be surprised how often our employment agency gets resumes without contact details. Even if you create the most excellent resume in the world, if employers have no way of getting in touch with you, you’ll never get the job. Ensure you include your full name, phone number, email address, and, potentially, your home address. You don’t have to include your full address, but companies typically like to know what city you reside in.

 

Bio

Your resume isn’t just a document listing your skills and experience, but it’s also your first opportunity to introduce yourself to companies. A short bio at the top of your resume, covering your key experience, skills, and personality, is a great way to let potential employers know who you are. Our hiring experts recommend keeping it to a short paragraph at most.

 

Skills

Experience is great, but employers want to know what skills you’ve learned from your past employment and education. A common mistake people make is listing only general skills such as “communication” and “time-management.” While these are great, employers often want to know your hard skills. Ensure you include more specific skills, such as software and programs you know, and any industry-specific skills you’ve mastered.

 

Experience

Your past employment and experience will take up the bulk of your resume. After all, for employers, the best way to judge future performance is to look at the past. Don’t make the mistake of throwing everything on your resume, though. Make sure your curate your resume to include relevant experience to the job you’re applying for.

 

Awards

If you’ve earned industry accolades, be sure to include them in your resume! Some job-seekers avoid including these, so they don’t come across as a braggart, but you should be proud of your accomplishments. Make sure you’re keeping it to relevant honors and awards, though.

 

Hobbies

As an employment agency, we can tell you that skills and experience are only one part of hiring the right candidate. Cultural fits are also a key part of hiring the right person. That’s why we love it when candidates include hobbies and interests on their resumes. It makes you stand out and makes your resume more personal.

 

Are you ready to find your next career opportunity? Contact us to talk with one of our employment experts, or check out our online job board!

What is a Shunt Driver?

The trucking and transportation industry is a vital part of the global supply chain and is a lucrative career for those interested. There is more than one type of commercial truck driver job, and every kind of job has its own requirements. Particular truck driving jobs require special licenses, skills, training, or experience.

 

To help you understand each type of truck driver job, our commercial driver recruitment agency will break them down. Today, let’s look at shunt drivers.

 

What is a shunt driver?

A shunt driver is responsible for the movement of vehicles on a construction site. This could include trailer units or larger goods vehicles. The job could be maneuvering goods around a job site, into storage or loading bays, or to be picked up by other workers. Essentially, a shunt is responsible for moving LGVs and trailers to designated spots around a construction yard so the work can get done as needed. Since construction sites are often heavily populated, have expensive equipment, and have tight deadlines, shunters are highly valuable.

 

How much does a shunt driver earn?

Like most trucking jobs, how much a driver earns depends on skills, experience, and region. In Ontario, shunters earn around $45K. However, newer drivers can expect to earn lower until they build up their experience.

 

Do shunt drivers need a special license?

Depending on the job and employer, a shunt position may require applicable licenses to operate the equipment necessary to move trailers. This could include needing a class D, A, or Z license. Most commercial trucking jobs will require one of these licenses, so investing in training and special licenses will open up doors for multiple commercial truck driver jobs.

 

What does a shunt driver do?

As a shunt, you’ll have two primary duties- preparing trailers for moving and driving or “shunting” the trailers. Preparing the trailers would involve yard checks, attaching the trailers, checking locked trailers, and completing any necessary forms. Moving the trailers involves driving, some administrative work, and communicating with the warehouse and dispatchers.

 

What skills does a shunt driver need?

In addition to having the required driving experience and license, shunts must also know how to communicate and work well with others. A construction site has many moving parts, and shunts will need to work with others to ensure everything is being done correctly. Paying attention to details and staying calm in stressful situations is also highly valued, as job sites can sometimes be busy and tense.

 

How does one get a shunt driver job?

If you’re interested in becoming a shunt driver, you can contact Nova Driver Services today! Our team of hiring experts is ready to help find you the perfect commercial driver position. You can also check out our online job board to see all of our open truck driver roles. 

 

Canada’s Seasonal Hiring Frenzy Begins

The holiday shopping season is one of the busiest and most important times for many businesses. With colder weather arriving and the holidays looming, companies are looking for additional help. This is something temporary hiring agencies, like Nova Staffing, aid businesses with every year. However, this year is more of a frenzy than usual.

 

It’s reported that employers are having a more challenging time than normal hiring temporary workers to cover the demand of the holiday season. The number of job postings of seasonal hires is outpacing those looking for these types of positions. Seasonal postings this winter are up 28% compared to last year and 40% from 2019. However, people looking for these temp positions are still below pre-pandemic levels.

 

“Employers have found it challenging to fill roles across the economy, and I think seasonal hiring is going to be no different this year,” said Brendon Bernard, senior economist at Indeed.

 

“For some individual employers, I do think filling those roles is going to be difficult. And so then the question is … what are employers doing to differentiate themselves?”

 

Employers may need to adjust wages or offer scheduling flexibility to attract hires. Temp workers don’t get benefits, such as sick or vacation days, so whatever extras a business can offer can set them apart from other companies looking for the same type of workers.

 

A big reason employers are pushing for holiday hiring is the expectation that shoppers will return to stores in person after the pandemic. Most seasonal hires are for retail-focused jobs that address the increased shopping during the holiday season. In fact, half of this year’s seasonal job postings are for customer-facing retail positions such as sales associates and customer service representatives. With major shopping events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Boxing Day, as well as the Christmas shopping rush, retailers are right to be concerned about ramping up staffing levels.

 

Stores that cannot meet their staffing needs may have to resort to shorter hours or other measures. If your business is in need of temporary, seasonal hires, contact Nova Staffing today. Our team of hiring experts has extensive experience hiring talented temporary workers.