3 Skillsets Driver Recruitment Agencies Look for in Hires

Commercial trucking is a highly lucrative career path. Trucking is an integral part of the global supply chain, and drivers are in high demand right now. This means that truck drivers are experiencing job security and pay rates like never before. While driving is a crucial part of the job, it’s not the only skill set our employment experts at Nova Driver Services are looking for when hiring new candidates. Here are some skillsets that driver recruitment agencies look for and that you should hone to stand out from the competition.

 

Reliability

It cannot be understated how vital trucking is in the global supply chain. In fact, around 90% of all goods in Canada are delivered by truck. Even goods shipped by rail, air, or sea are eventually moved to their final destinations by trucks. Given how much the transportation of goods, and the economy by extension, relies on trucks, trucking fleets only want to hire candidates they can rely on. This means being there when you said you would and doing what you’re supposed to. Drivers aren’t sitting at a desk under the watchful eye of a manager. There is a degree of independence and responsibility with the job, which is why reliability is so important.

 

Organization

Many driver candidates are surprised when our hiring experts ask about skills such as time management and organization. After all, don’t drivers just drive? Not really. Driving is, of course, a huge part of the job. But drivers are also responsible for keeping track of everything they’re transporting. There are lots of vital documents and pieces of information that commercial truck drivers have to keep organized. This includes applicable licenses, permits, inventories, invoices, paperwork, and more. Drivers also have to keep track of personal information such as hours worked, receipts for meals and fuel, and paperwork for repairs or maintenance on the vehicle. Many in the industry would argue that organization is the most important skill set to have.

 

Mechanics

One question our driver recruitment agency gets is, “do I need mechanical skills to be a commercial truck driver”? The answer is- yes and no. No fleet will expert their drivers to have all of the skills of a fully licensed and experienced mechanic. However, all truck drivers should have some basic mechanical knowledge of their trucks. Having some mechanical knowledge is helpful in emergency situations or with minor repairs so that you don’t have to wait for help. While some fleets don’t like drivers to work on the vehicles for liability reasons, it’s still crucial for commercial drivers to have enough mechanical knowledge to be able to identify and diagnose if there is an issue.

 

Are you interested in starting a lucrative career as a commercial truck driver? Contact Nova Driver Services today to talk with one of our driver recruitment experts, or check out our online job board!

When Should Companies Use a Recruitment Agency?

Finding and recruiting new hires is never as simple as people think. Companies often think they have the hiring process nailed down, but then wonder why retention is low, and turnover is high. Recruitment is a skill, and it’s what hiring agencies like Nova Staffing specialize in. While not every business needs the skills of a recruitment agency, they can be extremely helpful, especially in certain situations. Here are a few times your business should consider using the services of a recruitment agency.

 

No Internal Team

Not every company has its own internal HR or hiring team. If they don’t, it means hiring often falls on managers. While this isn’t always bad, most managers don’t have experience with hiring. This means they don’t necessarily know what to look for or what questions to ask. They also probably just don’t have the time to dig through resumes and sit through a lot of interviews. At Nova Staffing, our team of hiring professionals has over 200 years of combined industry experience. We know how to find quality candidates that will better your team and stick around, leaving you the time to do what you do best- running your business!

 

Understaffed

There’s a difference between having open positions and being understaffed. Most companies have more staff than they need at one time to account for vacations, illnesses, or workload influxes. If your company is understaffed, that means other employees are probably taking on extra work, which could lead to mistakes or burnout. Being understaffed for long periods can be detrimental to a business. If your company is understaffed, you don’t have the luxury of taking your time to do the hiring process yourself. You’ll be too busy! Instead, rely on a recruitment agency to find qualified candidates quickly so your team can get back to full force.

 

Crucial Roles

Some roles are easier to hire for than others. General positions, with many qualified candidates to choose from, are more straightforward. However, roles that are crucial or highly specialized may take more skill. That’s where it’s beneficial to call on the services of a hiring agency. Hiring agencies like Nova Staffing have teams of recruitment professionals that have years of experience finding quality candidates. They know what to look for to find the perfect hire with all of the qualifications you need.

 

Seasonal Hires

The holiday season is nearly here, which means an influx of work for many industries. You may want to hire seasonal workers if your business experiences an increased workload during the holidays. Finding and hiring seasonal workers, especially for such a short time, might not be the best use of your time if things are already busy. That’s why using a recruitment agency like Nova Staffing, which has experience hiring seasonal workers, makes sense.

 

Temporary Workers

The holiday season isn’t the only time your business may need temporary workers. Temporary workers aren’t just seasonal. They can be useful whenever you need extra help, either due to an influx of workload or when employees may be away for an extended but temporary time period, such as maternity leave or medical leave of absence. Companies may not want to dedicate internal time or resources to hiring temporary workers, which is when using a temp hiring agency such as Nova Staffing makes sense.

 

Does your company need help to find qualified candidates? Contact Nova Staffing today. Our team of recruitment professionals has over 200 years of combined industry experience and is ready to help find the perfect hires for your open job positions.

 

5 Things to do Before Sending Off Your Resume

Are you on the job hunt? Having a solid resume is one of the best things you can do to make yourself appealing to employees and set yourself apart from other applicants. Before you start submitting your CV, here are some things our recruitment agency recommends you do.

 

Check Spelling and Grammar

Even the best of us is prone to spelling and grammar mistakes. A lot of companies will look past one or two mistakes on a resume, but if you’re up against other great candidates, those few minor errors could make or break whether you get the job. Luckily, tons of great free resources can help proofread your resume and cover letter before you send them out.

 

Keep it Tight and Relevant

You might be tempted to put everything you’ve done on your resume, but this won’t have the effect you hope for. Employers only want to know relevant information about you. Those in charge of hiring often don’t have a lot of time, which means they don’t have the time to dig through a long resume to find key info. Keep your resume lean and specific.

 

Make it Job Specific

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is crafting a generic resume. While a general resume is fine for some jobs, it won’t be as great as highlighting your strengths for the specific role you’re applying for. A general resume is a great starting place but make the extra effort to tailor it to each job. This allows you to highlight the specific experience and skills you have that would benefit the role.

 

Share it with Friends and Family

Once you’ve crafted your resume, a good final step before sending it off is to share it with some trusted friends and family. Having them read it will give them a chance to catch any mistakes and point out if you missed something relevant that would set you apart. It’s always a good idea to have another set of eyes go over something before submitting it.

 

Ensure it has all Important Info

You’d be surprised how often people forget to add key info on their resume, such as their contact info. While your education, experience, and skills are the focus of your CV, you also need to ensure hiring personnel can get in contact with you. Make sure you include basic information such as your name and contact info. You may even want to have your LinkedIn profile for easy access.

 

Are you ready to jump into the job search? Contact Nova Staffing today or check out our online job board! Our recruitment experts would love to help you find your next position.

 

Questions to Ask Before Joining a New Trucking Fleet

Commercial truck drivers are in hot demand right now. Drivers have abundant options on where to work, which means they can afford to take their time picking the right fleet to join. Whether you’re an owner-operator or a company driver, choosing the right carrier to work for will determine your success in the industry.

 

Our team is experts at hiring drivers at Nova Driver Services, and here are their tips on what drivers should ask when selecting which company to work for.

 

“What salary and compensation are you offering?”

Money matters, especially with inflations on the rise and a recession looming. Truck drivers are in hot demand, and the trucking industry is an essential part of the global supply chain, so make sure you’re being fairly compensated for your work. There is a truck driver shortage in Canada right now, meaning fleets are offering competitive rates. Still, you should do some research to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

 

“What is your company’s retention rate?”

This is a question not many people think to ask in an interview, but it says a lot about a company. You ideally want to join and invest your career in a company that will see your value and keeps you around. If the fleet has a high turnover rate, it either means the company doesn’t value its drivers or has poor management that is causing employees to leave.

 

“What do shift schedules and route distances look like?”

There are many different driving routes and schedules, from short, last-mile runs to long-haul routes. Work-life balance is incredibly important to many people today, so make sure you know what you’re getting into before you sign a contract to ensure it fits with your goals. It’s also a good idea to check how far the commute is from your home to the company.

 

“Is the truck dedicated?”

 If you’re not an owner-operated, you’ll be using a company truck. This has both advantages, as it means you won’t be responsible for maintenance and repairs, but it could also mean you’re sharing with other drivers. Some drivers heavily prefer dedicated trucks, so make sure you ask about this during the interview process.

 

“Will I be an employee or an independent contractor?”

This may seem like an obvious question, but there can be confusion about whether drivers are hired as employees or contractors. Many fleets use the Driver Inc. model, which classifies employees as independent contractors. Essentially, drivers use company trucks but hire out their skills as contractors.

 

If you’re looking to start a lucrative career in trucking, or are looking for a new commercial driving position, contact Nova Driver Services or check out our online job board. We’d be happy to help connect you with one of the many trucking fleets we work with.

 

How Quebec’s Language Law Impacts Ontario Employment

Quebec’s controversial language law, titled Bill 96, is now in effect, and its impact has bled into other provinces. The new law was adopted in May 2022 and brought significant changes to the Charter of the French Language to prioritize and protect the French language.

 

Bill 96 affects all businesses with operations or employees in the province. However, the law has implications beyond Quebec. Ontario businesses have also begun noticing the impact of the new language bill. Here are a few ways Bill 96 has impacted Ontario employment.

 

Cross-Provincial Business is Harder

Under the new law, all businesses that operate or serve customers, even digitally, in Quebec now have to offer French services. That means that Ontario-based companies working in the province are now required to follow these new regulations, including French-first communication. This means that businesses now have to focus on adding French language options to their website, emails, and advertising, as well as hiring more French-speaking employees.

 

Bilingual Demand Increasing

Being bilingual, especially in French, has always been in demand in Canada, but now that has increased. Unfortunately, there is a French talent shortage. Even though the total bilingual population across Canada has increased, Statistics Canada reported that the proportion of people fluent in both French and English in provinces outside of Quebec diminished between 2016 and 2021. The number of French-first speakers declined in almost every province and territory as well. This means finding French-speaking employees to meet the new Bill 96 requirements is more challenging.

 

More French in Ontario

Bill 96’s impact doesn’t just impact businesses in Quebec. Companies based in Ontario have already begun to feel the rising demand to offer services in French, even if they don’t operate in Quebec. Businesses in Ottawa, which are just across the provincial border, have seen a rise in tourists expecting to be served in French. While it’s not required in Ontario, companies want to meet the needs of their customers, meaning French-speaking skills will continue to be in high demand, even outside of Quebec.

 

Are you looking for French talent or jobs that could benefit from your language skills? Contact Nova Staffing today!  

 

6 Ways to Advance Your Career

Finding a good job is only one step in establishing a lucrative career. With inflation on the rise and more job availability than ever before, now is the perfect time to focus on advancing your career. As one of the top employment agencies in the GTA, we’ve seen what it takes to rise and earn more. Here are some things you can do to advance your career.

                                    

Take Training Courses

If you’re looking to advance your career, one easy way to show you’re serious and skilled is to take a training course. This might sound daunting while working full-time, but there are tons of training courses that are online, part-time, or only take a few hours! Some training courses require some financial investment, while others are entirely free. Training courses are a great option if you feel you’re lacking in certain skills that could make you more appealing for promotions or raises.

 

Return to School

If you’re interested in pivoting your career, or the position you want requires certain specialty degrees, it may be worth going back to school. This is much more of a time and financial investment, but one that could be well worth it. Some companies even offer support to workers that are interested in returning to school, so feel free to discuss options with your employer!

 

Learn a New Skill  

If you’re more of a self-learner, you can take on tackling a new skill! The great thing is many skills don’t require training courses or degrees to master. The Internet has tons of amazing free resources that can help you adopt new skills that will help advance your career. Interested in a position that requires Excel knowledge? Watch some YouTube videos! Have you always wanted to become a graphic designer? Photoshop has free lessons!

 

Look at Different Companies

Companies often have tighter budgets when it comes to raises and promotions, meaning it may be a smarter move to advance your career at a different company. While older generations were loyal to their employers above all else, younger generations realize that switching companies not only gives them more experience and insight but it’s also the best path to advancing and earning more.

 

Brush Up Your Resume

Sometimes all you need to do to earn a better position is fine-tune your resume. Your resume is your first impression, so maybe you’re just not making the best one that you can. Resumes should be tailored for specific positions, so make sure you’re not using a generic one that doesn’t really highlight how your skills and experience could help in this job opening. Also, have trusted friends and family members read it over to see how it sounds and catch any errors.

 

Network

Relationships play a big role in career advancement, whether people like to admit it or not. The higher you rise in the company, the tighter the communities get. Managers want to promote people they enjoy working with. If you’re looking to advance, make an effort to get to know people. Networking can be a powerful yet simple tool for growing your career.

 

If you need help finding a new position, contact Nova Staffing today! Our team of hiring professionals has over 200 years of combined industry experience, and we’d be happy to find you the perfect job.

 

World in Need of More than 2.6 Million Truck Drivers

The transportation and trucking industry has been struggling with a driver shortage for years, and a new survey just revealed how bad it is. A recent report found a global shortage of more than 2.6 million commercial truck drivers. 

 

The IRU, a global transportation organization, identified that there was 2.6 million unfilled truck driving jobs in 2021. This was based on data from the U.S., Mexico, Argentina, Europe, Eurasia, Turkey, Iran, and China. The report didn’t include data from Canada; however, the country is also experiencing a driver shortage. 

 

“It is a global issue,” said IRU business analyst Natalia Corchado, presenting the statistics during a June 27 webinar. The shortage is expected to intensify in 2022.

 

The report also found that in addition to open positions, certain demographics were severely underrepresented in the trucking industry. Women make up fewer than 3% of the global truck drivers. While these rates are higher in China (5%) and the U.S. (8%), it’s still a long way away from a 50% gender balance. 

 

Age demographics are also imbalanced in the industry. A vast majority of truck drivers are over the age of 55 and quickly approaching retirement age which will aggravate the driver shortage even more. Fewer than 7% of the world’s truck drivers are under 25. Canada faces a similar issue, with the country’s average truck driver age being 48. 

 

“The driver shortage is very real and only expected to get worse,” agreed Sutco Transportation president Doug Sutherland, chairman of the Canadian Trucking Alliance’s blue ribbon task force on the driver shortage.

 

Canada wasn’t included in the IRU data, however, it has more than 23,000 open truck driver jobs. That number could reach 55,000 by the end of 2024, according to Trucking HR Canada data. 

 

There is no simple solution to the issue. There are a number of barriers preventing a new generation of truck drivers from entering the industry, including minimum licensing ages preventing younger workers from starting. 

 

The good news is that driver wages are on the rise, making the positions more lucrative and enticing. At Nova Driver Services, we have a number of open commercial driving positions available with some of the top transportation companies in the country. If you’re interested in starting a lucrative career with lots of job security and growth potential, contact us today or check out our online driver job board! 

 

4 Industries in Toronto Hiring Right Now

Are you looking for work in the Greater Toronto Area? Great news, many industries are looking to hire qualified workers right now. Here are four of the top industries that are hiring in Toronto right now.

 

Medical Workers

While the pandemic has mostly subsided, medical workers are still desperately needed. Toronto is looking to hire medical workers for various fields right now, from doctors and nurses to home health and senior care aides. Some of these positions require extensive medical training, while others are open to those who complete some training courses. If you’re looking to get into the medical field, now is the time!

 

Airport Workers

It’s no secret that Toronto Pearson airport has been a mess lately. From long lines to lost luggage, the airport has been struggling. A big reason behind this is their need for workers. Airport workers are in hot demand right now, and the top airlines are looking to hire them. From flight attendants to baggage handlers, there are many open positions for those interested.

 

Transportation Workers

The transportation industry has many lucrative opportunities and strong career growth potential. The trucking industry is looking to hire qualified drivers to keep Canada’s supply chain going. The great thing about entering the transportation industry is that many companies provide the training required or have positions ready and open for those who complete them on their own.

 

Customer Service

The pandemic hit customer service jobs, such as retail and food service workers, hard. Many of these workers had to pivot into different sectors, leaving openings now that customer service jobs are back. The great thing is that most customer service jobs don’t require training or experience, just a good attitude!

 

Interested in pursuing these jobs?

At Nova Staffing, we specialize in helping companies fill job openings and aiding workers in finding the right positions for their skills. If you’re interested in finding a job, contact us today or check out our online job board!

 

How Hiring Agencies Can Save You Money

Are you looking to grow your business and expand your team? Hiring the right people is the best way to expand your company and increase profits. Recruitment isn’t always easy, though. The process may fall onto you if your company doesn’t have an HR or hiring team. Using the services of a hiring agency like Nova Staffing not only gives you access to many quality candidates but can also save your company money.

 

Find Quality Candidates

Recruitment agencies like Nova Staffing specialize in finding, screening, and hiring the best people for the role. The best candidates might cost a bit more upfront in terms of salary and benefits, but they more than makeup for it. The right hires will increase productivity and profits, making your business more money.

 

Less Turnover

Hiring is an expensive process. Not only do you have to take time out of your day to review resumes and take interviews, but you also have to invest in training. That’s why it can be frustrating when a company has a high turnover. High turnover can either mean there’s an issue in the business, or you’re hiring the wrong people for the job. At Nova Staffing, we’ll find you candidates that not only are the right fit but that will want to stay around for the long haul, saving you costs in the process.

 

Expedited Process

The recruitment process can be a long one. From writing and posting job listings to reading resumes and attending interviews. When companies try to tackle this themselves, they have less time and energy to focus on their real jobs. By hiring a top-tier hiring agency like Nova Staffing, you get our expertise and our time! We’ll take over the entire process so that you can do what you do best.

 

Are you ready to get the hiring process started? Contact us today! Our team of staffing experts has over 200 years of combined industry experience, and we’d love to help fill any job openings you have.

 

Best Cities for Trucking Jobs in Ontario

Are you interested in starting a career as a truck driver, or are you looking for a new trucking position? Smart move! Trucking is a lucrative career that has tons of exciting opportunities. Right now is a great time to branch into this industry as transportation companies are looking to hire quality commercial truck drivers. Here are some of the best Ontario cities to look in if you’re interested in commercial trucking, according to our driver hiring experts at Nova Driver Services!

 

Guelph

Located about an hour away from downtown Toronto, Guelph has a lot to offer and is one of the GTA’s fastest-growing suburbs. In addition to beautiful scenery, Guelph is also one of the top cities for commercial trucking jobs. On average, truck drivers make about $25.36 per hour. Of course, this depends entirely on experience, routes, and more, but that’s still above the provincial average.

 

Cambridge

Just a little bit away from Guelph is Cambridge, Ontario. Cambridge is an industrial city, even boasting a Toyota manufacturing plant. This makes it ideal for trucking jobs. In terms of salary, Cambridge comes in second in Ontario, where the average salary is around $24.34 per hour.

 

Hamilton

Halfway between Toronto and the Niagara region, Hamilton has become a popular commuting city for both areas. Traditionally, this city has heavy ties with manufacturing, making it a great city for trucking. Professional truckers can make about $24.29 an hour in Hamilton, putting it above the provincial average.

 

Barrie

North of Toronto sits Barrie, Ontario. It’s grown significantly over the past few years due to its close proximity to downtown and is home to some great trucking jobs. Truck drivers in Barrie make around $24.16 per hour on average.

 

Windsor

Windsor is known as the “Automotive Capital of Canada” and is a major contributor to Canada’s automotive industry. It’s also located across the river from Detroit, cementing its position as one of the most important cities for transportation. Professional truckers, on average, make $23.95 an hour.

 

Brampton

Brampton is known for its trucking opportunities, and its close proximity to downtown Toronto makes it an ideal location for those who want to enter the industry but don’t want to leave the GTA. Commercial truck drivers make, on average, around $23.92 an hour.

 

Mississauga

Mississauga is one of the biggest suburbs in the GTA. It’s the third most populous municipality in Ontario and is even home to the Toronto Pearson Airport. Truck drivers are set to make $23.14 an hour on average, making it a great city for people looking to start a trucking career that still wants to stay close to Toronto.

 

Ottawa

Canada’s capital has more than just politics. It’s also one of Ontario’s top cities for trucking jobs! Trucking jobs make around $23.14 an hour on average. So, not only will you get a lucrative job, but you’ll also get the benefit of being in the capital city.

 

Are you looking for a commercial trucking job in Ontario? Contact Nova Driver Services or check out our online job board!