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. 

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. 

 

Ontario’s “Right to Disconnect” Law Now in Effect

Ontario’s right to disconnect policy has officially been enacted as of June 3rd, and this new law has major implications for workers and employers. According to our hiring experts at Nova Staffing, here is everything you need to know about this new work policy and how it will impact your company. 

 

What is the policy?

In late 2021, Ontario enacted Bill 27: Working for Workers Act 2021. This bill requires employers with 25 or more staff as of January 1st, 2022, to have a policy that outlines how workers can disconnect from the workplace after hours. It has been dubbed the “Right to Disconnect” law and is now officially in effect. Companies have un

 

What does “disconnect from work” mean?

The boundaries between work and personal life got blurred during the pandemic and work from home, resulting in burnout and poor work-life balance for some workers. The new Act now legally protects employees from working after hours. The Act formally defines disconnecting from work as “not engaging in work-related communications, including emails, telephone calls, video calls or sending or reviewing other messages, to be free from the performance of work.” In other words, your employers can no longer ask you to do tasks related to work outside of formal work hours. 

 

When does this policy go into effect?

The Right to Disconnect law formally went into effect in Ontario on June 3rd. However, companies have a grace period to draft a written policy related to this. Starting in 2023, businesses with 25 workers or more will need an official written policy on disconnecting from work in place before March 1st of that year. 

 

What inspired this new Act?

The new Act was inspired by France’s 2016 law that gave workers the right to turn off electric work devices outside of business hours. Canada’s federal government began reviewing labor standards in 2018, mulling whether this would also be useful here. A federal committee began analyzing the issue last October, but Ontario chose not to wait for federal regulations and instead drafted its own provincial policy. 

 

What should companies do now?

If this new policy impacts your company, it’s time to start drafting a workplace policy about disconnecting after hours! Feel free to contact our HR experts at Nova Staffing for any help. Our team has over 200 years of combined industry experience, and we’d be happy to help guide you and fill any open positions you have. 

 

Ontario Employment Outlook: December 2021

Ontario’s employment continued to improve in December 2021, making it the seventh consecutive month the province saw employment increase. This was despite COVID-19 restrictions coming into place late in the month due to the Omicron variant.

Here is a look at how employment in Ontario was impacted in December 2021, compiled by our employment experts at Nova Staffing. All data is from the Ontario Government December 2021 Labour Market report.  

Employment Summary

In December, Ontario had 7.7 million (61.6%) employed individuals, up 46,900 (0.6%) jobs from November. Overall, the province was 2.1% (160,600 jobs) above its pre-COVID-19 February 2020 levels. 

As employment increased, unemployment in Ontario dropped. In December, there were 491,900 unemployed individuals in the province, down 5.1% from the 519,100 unemployed individuals in November.  

Employment by Age

Youth employment (15-24) saw an increase of 18,800 in December, following a decline in the previous month. Unemployment for this demographic dropped to 10.8%, down from 11.4% in November. 

Adult employment (25-54) also saw an increase of 28,500 new jobs in December, meaning this age group was 3.3% above its pre-COVID levels. Unemployment for adults dropped from 5.1% in November to 5.0% in December. Senior employment (55+) had no significant employment change in December, but unemployment for this demographic did drop 6%, down from 6.9% from the previous month. 

Employment by Sector

Employment sectors continued to gain at different rates in December 2021. Those that saw the greatest employment gains in Ontario were led by Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (+96 K), and followed by Wholesale and Retail Trade (+59.2 K), Information, Culture, and Recreation (+39.3 K), and Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Rental and Leasing (+36 K). 

Ontario industries that saw the greatest employment loss in December were Accommodation and Food Services (-50.5 K), Other Services (Except Public Administration) (-45.9 K), Business, Building, and Other Support Services (-31.3 K), and Construction (-17.8 K).  

Employment by Region

Fourteen of Ontario’s CMAs saw employment growth in December. The regions that saw the greatest growth was Toronto (+210.7 K), followed by Windsor (+31.2 K), London (+25.9), Hamilton (+20.0 K), Ottawa-Gatineau (+18.6 K), Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo (+17.2 K), Oshawa (+11.6 K), Guelph (+10.2 K), St. Catharines-Niagara (+9.8 K), Peterborough (+8.4 K), Barrie (+4.4 K), Greater Sudbury (+2.7 K), Thunder Bay (+2.2 K), and Belleville (+0.8 K). 

 The two Ontario regions that saw employment loss in December were Kingston (-1.7 K) and Brantford (-0.6 K). 

Is your company looking for help hiring top talent or need staffing solutions? Contact Nova Staffing! Our team of employment experts has over 200 years of combined industry experience and is here to help.

Recruitment Agency Explains Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills

When recruitment agencies like Nova Staffing start looking for candidates to fill a job opening, we check to see if they have the practical knowledge to do the role. These are known as “hard skills.” While these are important, most people applying for a job all have the same technical skills, which is why employment agencies will turn to soft skills. But what exactly is the difference between hard and soft skills? Our hiring experts break it down for you.

 

Hard Skills Explained

Most people understand what hard skills are. They’re easy to define and measure. Essentially, a hard skill is a technical talent or ability that is usually specific to a certain job or industry. Hard skills can be learned through schooling or training. Most people list multiple hard skills on their resumes. These are things like certifications, specialty skills, or technical talents.

 

Examples of hard skills include:

  • Bookkeeping
  • Data Analytics
  • Foreign Language
  • Cloud Computing
  • Coding
  • Web Development
  • Driving Certificate
  • And more!

 

There are tons of hard skills applicable to different industries. When our hiring agents write job descriptions, we usually list which hard skills our clients are looking for in candidates. Just think of hard skills as job-specific talents like a commercial driver being certified for large trucks or a nurse knowing how to draw blood.

 

Soft Skills Explained

Soft skills are a little harder to explain and measure. These are interpersonal skills or abilities that help others get along and collaborate in the workplace. While soft skills can be taught and learned, a lot of it also comes down to personality and individuality. Recruitment agencies often include ideal soft skills for job positions, but since these are harder to measure, they’re more suggestions than requirements.

 

Examples of soft skills include:

  • Communication
  • Collaboration
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Critical Thinking
  • Adaptability
  • Time Management
  • Multitasking
  • And more!

 

Soft skills aren’t as industry-specific as hard skills. These are abilities you probably naturally have or have unconsciously developed throughout your life. Don’t let the name fool you, though- for many companies’ soft skills are much more valuable than hard skills since they’re harder to teach. For example, in logistics, time management and multitasking are extremely valuable skills that can’t really be taught. If you don’t have them, you won’t thrive in the position, so be honest when you apply for jobs about whether or not you have the soft skills to succeed.

 

Final Thoughts

So, how can you easily remember the difference between hard and soft skills? Hard skills are technical abilities usually tailored towards a specific job or industry. Soft skills are interpersonal skills applicable across multiple roles and fields. Having the right hard skills on your resume might land you an interview, but it’s soft skills that our hiring agencies look for and that companies value the most. Including a good mix of both when you apply for jobs is the best bet.

 

If you’re looking for a job, check out Nova Staffing’s online job board or contact us today! Our team of HR experts is ready to help you start a new career.

Ontario Employment Outlook: April 2021 Report

Ontario’s employment took a major blow in April, after the province’s mandatory closure of non-essential businesses. A provincial-wide stay-at-home order also took effect on April 8th, 2021, impacting employment and businesses even more. 

 

Here is a quick look at how employment in Ontario was impacted in April 2021, compiled by our employment experts at Nova Staffing. All data is from the Ontario Government April 2021 Labour Market report. 

 

 

Employment Summary

Employment dropped significantly in Ontario in April due to provincial-wide measures meant to slow the spread of COVID-19 that shut down or limited many businesses. 7.2 million people in Ontario were employed in April, down from 152,700 jobs from March. 

 

Unemployment rose as a result as well. Unemployment dropped down to 7.5% in March but rose up to 9% in April with 716,800 fewer jobs. This was a shocking 20.2% increase in unemployment. 

 

Employment by Age

Youth employment continued to suffer the most as a result of COVID-19 measures. In April, youth employment (15-24) had 73,000 fewer jobs and saw unemployment rise to 20.4%, up from 15.1% in April. 

 

Adult employment (25-54) was also heavily impacted by the measured put in place in April 2021. This demographic saw employment decrease 37,600 jobs, with unemployment rising from 6.7% in March to 7.3% in April. Senior employment also suffered, losing 42,100 jobs and unemployment rising to 7.2%.  

 

Employment by Sector

Government restriction on the types of businesses deemed essential and other measures disproportionally impacted some sectors more than others. In April, those that were furthest were their pre-COVID-19 levels were Accommodation and Food Services (-135.1%), Wholesale and Retail Trade (-73%), Business, Building, and Other Support Services (-45.6%), and Transportation and Warehousing (-27.9%). 

 

Not all industries saw employment loss, however. A number of sectors, especially those deemed essential by the government, saw employment growth in April. This included Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (+40.8%), Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Rental and Leasing (+33.4%), Manufacturing (+14.7%), and Public Administration (+8.9%). 

 

Employment by Region

Despite Ontario’s overall employment outlook dropping in April, thirteen out of the province’s sixteen CMAs saw employment levels increase between March and April. This included Hamilton (6.6%), Ottawa-Gatineau (6.4%), St. Catharines-Niagara (6.1%), Toronto (4.9%), London (3.6%), Windsor (3%), Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo (3%), Peterborough (2.8%), Barrie (2%), Guelph (1.8%), Brantford (1%), and Greater Sudbury (0.7%).

 

The three regions that saw notable declines in employment were Oshawa (-2.4%), Belleville (-2%), and Kingston (-1.3%). 

 

Is your company looking for staffing solutions or need help hiring top talent? Contact Nova Staffing today! With over 200 years of combined industry experience, our team of employment experts is here to help.

 

 

6 Ways to Reduce Job Interview Anxiety

Interviewing for a new job can be stressful, even if you feel more than qualified for the position. If you feel interview anxiety before the big day, know you’re not alone. It’s completely understandable and common. After all, our job and salary make a big impact on our overall quality of life. Everyone wants to nail their interview in hopes of landing a job offer. Nerves can trip you up, though, so here are a few tips from our recruitment experts at Nova Staffing on how to reduce them!

 

Take Time to Prepare

A lot of job interview anxiety comes from the unknown. You can eliminate this by preparing ahead of time. Set aside time in the days leading up to the interview to review your resume, reread the job posting, and research the company. The more ready and prepared you are, the less your nerves will be.

 

Do a Practice Interview

Don’t just stop at research and revision if you’re super nervous. Have a family member or friend set up a mock interview! Practicing questions and responses will help you feel more comfortable and give you a chance to prepare good answers. Especially focus on things like your past accomplishments and what you can bring to the role.

 

Dress to Impress

When we look good, we feel good! Everyone knows to dress up a bit for an interview, but make sure you’re picking an outfit that makes you feel confident. If you feel awkward and uncomfortable, that’s going to come across in the interview. Take the time to plan out your outfit ahead of time so you can ensure you look confident, even if you don’t feel it. This will also prevent any last-minute scrambling from ironing a shirt or finding the right shoes on the day of.  

 

Minimize the Unknowns

Make sure you have all of the little details down ahead of time so that you’re not caught out due to miscommunication at the last minute. Verify things such as where you’re meeting, the time, and even read up on who you’re meeting with if you know. If the interview is virtual, make sure you set the software ahead of time and get yourself familiar with the technology.

 

Mind Your Thoughts

When we’re anxious about something, it’s easy to let negative thoughts overtake us. What if there’s traffic and I miss the interview? What if Zoom crashes? What if I say the wrong thing? While it’s natural to worry about what can go wrong, make sure that you focus on the positives too. There’s a reason they’re interviewing you, so remind yourself on the positive aspects of the situation as well.

 

Decompress the Day Before

The night before the interview should be about reviewing rather than full-on prep. If you’ve prepared ahead of time, all you need to do the night before is look everything over again, so it’s fresh in your mind. After that, lower your stress by doing something that you enjoy or that relaxes you. Maybe it’s reading a book or working out. Maybe it’s chatting with a friend or meditating. Whatever works to keep you calm, do it!

 

Are you ready to make a career move or looking for a new position? Contact us today or check out our online job listings! Nova Staffing is one of the best recruitment agencies in Toronto, and we’re here to help you find your next position.

 

What Recruitment Agencies Look for in Production and Warehouse Candidates

Many entry-level careers in production and warehousing are better paying than other entry-level positions in other industries such as customer service and retail. It’s an easy career to get into and often has room for upward mobility. It’s also an industry that is in high demand right now. That doesn’t mean every candidate is a good fit, though. Here are a few things employment agencies like Nova Staffing look for in candidates for these positions.

 

Experience

Experience isn’t necessary for every job position, but it certainly helps. Recruitment agencies especially look at experience running certain types of machines. Already knowing how to use equipment in warehouses is a huge plus. Everyone has to start somewhere, though, so if it’s an entry-level production or warehousing position, don’t stress if you don’t have experience yet.

 

Dependability

Dependability is huge for warehouse and production jobs. When someone misses their shift, it can mean a decline in production and revenue, not to mention additional stress and pressure on the other employees. An employment agency will look for a good job history with few gaps as evidence that you’re a reliable candidate. Having major gaps in employment or switching jobs frequently doesn’t mean you won’t be considered but expect to be asked about it during the interview process.

 

Adept

Warehouses and factories are high-paced work environments. Companies are looking for candidates that have the ability to learn quickly and adapt to change. Remember, companies have to meet a certain quota within their deadline, or their whole business is at risk. Candidates that can learn new tasks quickly are highly valued and sought after.

 

Communication

Many people might not think communication is important in a production or warehouse role, but they couldn’t be more wrong. These workplaces are fast-paced and use a lot of heavy equipment. Being able to listen and communicate effectively is key to productivity and safety.

 

Specialization

If you’re looking for a higher-paying career in warehousing, production, manufacturing, or factories, you should consider specializing your skillset. Candidates with certifications or training in things like welding, CNC, forklifts, and more will see more job opportunities and growth. If you have any specialized skills, be sure to let the recruitment agency know!

 

If you’re ready to start your new career, contact us today or check out our online job listings! Nova Staffing is one of the top employment agencies in the GTA. Our team of staffing experts have over 200 years of combined industry experience and can help find you the perfect position.  

 

Ontario Employment Outlook: March 2021 Report

Employment in Ontario recovered even more in March after a devastating January. This was due to the stay-at-home order being lifted for most regions in Ontario around this time. Businesses were able to reopen, causing a surge in employment.

 

Here is a quick market summary report of Ontario’s employment outlook for March 2021, compiled by our employment experts at Nova Staffing. All data is from the Ontario Government March 2021 Labour Market report.

 

Employment Summary

Employment increased in Ontario in March, with 7.4 million people employed, up by 182,300 jobs from February. This was likely due to the stay-at-home order being lifted in the province.

 

Unemployment also dropped down to 7.5% in March from 9.2% in February. There were only 596,400 unemployed individuals in the province, down from 726,500. Overall, unemployment decreased by 17.9% in March.

 

Employment by Age

Although youth employment (15-24) continues to be the most impacted by COVID-19, this demographic did see employment gains in March. Youth employment added 59,000 jobs, and unemployment dropped to 15.1%, down from 20.9% in February.

 

Adult employment (25-54) added 61,700 new jobs in March, with the unemployment rate dropped from 7.3% in February down to 6.7%. Senior employment also saw gains this month, adding 61,600 new jobs. Unemployment for seniors also dropped down to 5%.

 

Employment by Sector

Certain industries continued to be hitter harder due to COVID-19. Although the stay-at-home order was lifted in March, a number of sectors were still not allowed to operate at full capacity. The sectors that continued to struggle in March and were furthest from their pre-COVID-19 numbers were: Accommodation and Food Services (-111.5%), Business, Building, and Other Support Services (-40.9%), and Transportation and Warehousing (-32.1%), and Construction (-19.1%).

 

Not all industries struggled, though. Some industries were able to increase employment in March such as Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (+41.6%), Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Rental and Leasing (+26.1%), Manufacturing (+24.8%), and Educational Services (+21.1%).

 

Employment by Region

Although the majority of Ontario saw the stay-at-home order lifted, certain regions such as Toronto were still heavily restricted, resulting in employment losses. The regions that saw employment loss or no gains in March were Belleville (-2.4%), Oshawa (-2.0%), Kingston (-0.6%), Toronto (-0.6%), Thunder Bay (-0.2%), Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo (0%).

 

Ten of Ontario’s CMAs did see employment growth in Match, though. These include Windsor (+8.1%), Ottawa-Gatineau (+6.6%), Hamilton (+6.5%), St. Catharine’s- Niagara (+4.4%), Barrie (+3.3%), Peterborough (+2.6%), Brantford (+2.1%), Guelph (+2.0%), London (+1.3%), Greater Sudbury (+0.6%).

 

Is your company looking for staffing solutions or need help hiring top talent? Contact Nova Staffing today! With over 200 years of combined industry experience, our team of employment experts is here to help.