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. 

 

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!

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.

 

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.

 

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!

4 of the Best Ways to Find Jobs in Toronto

Are you looking for a career change or just want a side job to increase your income? It’s time to start the job search! Job searching used to mean printing off resumes and hitting the pavement, but these days, most job hunting happens online. That doesn’t mean it’s easy, though. Here are some of the best ways to find great jobs in Toronto.

 

Use an Online Job Board

The most common place to find a job these days is to turn to one of the many online job boards such as Indeed or LinkedIn. While these have many available jobs, which search features can narrow down, these sites have challenges. You’ll be competing with everyone else applying there as well, and unfortunately, many companies don’t maintain these listings, meaning they could be already fulfilled or expired.

 

Look into School Resources

Are you a student looking for summer positions or a recent graduate? Check out your school’s resources! Many universities have job boards full of positions specifically targeting students or graduates. There might also be resources to help you brush up on your resume or teach your interviewing skills. Our HR experts recommend using any school resources before they expire.

 

Turn to Social Media

Social media isn’t just for entertainment! It’s now also a good place to turn to for job hunting. Many brands advertise openings on Instagram, and Facebook also has features for job postings. If there’s a particular company you’re interested in working for, be sure to check out their socials to see if they’re advertising any openings. Or, you could even reach out to them directly with your info to see if they’re interested!

 

Reach out to a Recruiter

One of the more sure-fire ways to secure yourself a lucrative position is to reach out to a recruiter. Recruitment agencies like Nova Staffing have experts ready to help you land your dream positions. We have close ties with some of the best companies in Toronto and can find you the perfect position. Recruiters are also great because they act as a middleman and can make sure you’re not being toyed around with.

 

Are you ready to start a new job? Contact us today to get started! Our team of hiring experts has over 200 years of combined industry experience, and we’re ready to help you.