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.

 

Cross-Border Truck Driver Requirements

Are you interested in starting a lucrative career as a commercial driver? Truck drivers are in high demand right now, and the industry has a lot of opportunities. There are many different types of commercial truck driver jobs, but cross-border trucking is one of the most common ones we hire for at our driver recruitment agency. According to our driver hiring experts at Nova Driver Services, if you’re interested in becoming a cross-border trucker, here are all requirements you should know about.

 

What is Cross-Border Trucking?

As the name implies, cross-border trucking involves driving and delivering goods across the border. In Canada, this is usually just between the U.S.-Canada border, but occasionally drivers will go down and cross the U.S.-Mexico border as well.

 

Cross-border trucking can mean high-paying jobs; however, there are a few requirements you’ll need to meet in order to qualify for these gigs.

 

Immigration Requirements

Canadian trucks looking to complete deliveries in the U.S. must meet the general entry requirements for admission as a B-1 visitor. This means commercial cross-border drivers must:

  1. Have a residence in Canada, with no intention of abandoning it
  2. Intend to depart the U.S. at the end of their temporary admission
  3. Have the financial means to finish the job and make it out of the U.S.
  4. Establish that they are not inadmissible to the U.S., including for health reasons, criminal convictions, or previous immigration violations.

 

The last requirement is especially important. If you have any serious health issues, any past criminal convictions, especially in regards to violence, weapons, or drugs, and any previous immigration issues, you probably will not qualify for cross-border trucker jobs as there is a very real chance you will not be allowed to cross the U.S.-Canada border.

 

Document Requirements

Crossing the border as a commercial driver is different than driving through as a visitor, but drivers will still need to present certain documents. Canadian citizens entering the U.S. as drivers must present the following documents to be allowed entry:

  • One of the following pieces of ID:
  • A Canadian passport
  • An enhanced driver’s license or enhanced ID card
  • An enrollment card from a DHS trucked traveling program

 

Inspection Requirements

All trucks and drivers entering and leaving the U.S. are inspected by border patrol. Inspections may differ each time however, they may include a number of elements, including:

  • Document verification
  • X-ray of cargo
  • Cargo inspection

 

DOT Requirements

The trucking industry is one of the most heavily regulated. In order to keep drivers and the roads safe, the Canadian and U.S. governments have certain Hours of Service Rules. These are designed to ensure drivers are getting enough rest so that they can safely make their deliveries. All commercial drivers are required to keep a logbook of their hours, which may be reviewed when you cross the board. Commercial drivers will be instructed on how to properly keep track of their HoS so that they pass inspection.

 

Are you ready to hit the road as a cross-board trucker? Nova Driver Services is one of the top driver recruitment agencies in the GTA, and we’d be happy to help you find the right position. Contact us today to check out our online job board.

 

How to Attract Quality Hires During the Truck Driver Shortage

It’s no secret to anyone in transportation that the industry faces a severe truck driver shortage. Reports have found that Canada is short around 25,000 truck drivers while the U.S. reports a shocking lack of around 60,000 drivers. Drivers are a vital part of North America’s supply chain, but finding quality candidates is hard despite many job openings. Trucking companies are in a heated competition to woo new drivers away from their competitors these days. According to our hiring experts at Nova Driver Services, here are some ways you can attract quality new hires despite the truck driver shortage!

 

Competitive Wage

Money is the top factor people consider when it comes to selecting a job. While most people would love to do something they’re passionate about, we all have bills to pay! If you want to stand out from other trucking companies hiring, you’ll have to offer competitive wages. Trucking is a demanding job, so you’ll have to make it worth any new hires’ time.

 

Quality Benefits

Don’t stop just at wages. Candidates these days are always looking at benefits packages when determining which company to go with. What sort of bonus, sick days, vacation days, and other perks do you offer? If you can’t compete on salary with other trucking companies, benefits are one area you can try to woo quality drivers with.

 

Flexibility & Balance

The pandemic highlighted many problems in the current working world, with a big one being work-life balance. The Great Resignation Canada and the U.S. have been feeling is in part due to a lack of balance and flexibility. While truck driving demands chunks of time, companies that encourage world-life balance and offer flexibility for routes and schedules will attract more workers than those that stand by the rigid, old way of operating.

 

Company Culture

A huge reason behind the truck driver shortage is that drivers felt like they weren’t respected. Drivers are a vital part of the global supply chain and integral to keeping Canada running during the pandemic, and they deserve respect and quality working conditions. If your company culture reflects this, you’ll attract quality drivers.

 

Training & Growth

One solution to a lack of quality drivers is to train them yourself! Another aspect of the driver shortage is that many commercial drivers are nearing retirement age. Appeal to young workers by offering them support in training and certification and clear growth paths once they’re hired. A big appeal to trucking is the long-term career opportunities. Young drivers are more likely to commit to this career if they feel supported and like they have a real future ahead of them.

 

Are you looking to hire quality drivers? Contact us today! Nova Driver Services is one of the top truck driver recruitment agencies in the GTA, and we’d be happy to help fill open positions in your company.

 

When to Renew Your Driving Documents

The transportation industry has tons of amazing career opportunities. In order to access them, you’ll have to have the necessary driving documents. Thankfully all you usually need is a record of driving training and the correct commercial driver’s license. While these aren’t too challenging to get, don’t make the mistake of letting them lapse. Our driver recruitment experts at Nova Staffing explain how often you need to renew all your driving documents so that you can keep on trucking!

 

Standard Driver’s License

Some transportation jobs just require a basic Ontario driver’s license. In this province, your license is valid for 5 years. After that time, you’ll have to renew it online or at a ServiceOntario centre. If you don’t renew before it expires, you may have to start the graduating system over again if you don’t have your full G yet or pay a fee to get a new one.

 

Commercial Driver’s License

Most commercial trucking jobs in Ontario require a special class of license, such as Class A, B, C, D, E, or F. These allow you to try specialty vehicles like tankers, semi-trucks, buses, and more. You will get a notice 90 days before your license expires in Ontario, either via e-mail or mail. Most licenses last five years before needing to be renewed.

 

Drivers under 80 with a class A, B, C, E, or F, and drivers over the age of 65 with a Class D license are required to pass a vision and knowledge test in order to renew their license. Class D drivers under the age of 65 are required to pass a vision and knowledge test to renew their license. Depending on their age, some commercial-class license holders will be required to periodically submit a medical report to maintain their license. Failure to do so will result in them being downgraded to a Class G license.  

 

How to Renew Commercial Driver’s License?

Unlike standard G-class driver’s licenses, commercial-class licenses cannot be renewed online at this time. If you are not required to take any tests, you must renew your commercial license in person at any ServiceOntario centre.

 

Take the form to any centre in the province. You will be asked to sign the form, show identification, pay a fee, and have a new photograph taken. You will get a temporary license on the spot, and a permanent one will be mailed to you. Carry the temporary one with you until the permanent one comes so that you can produce it if needed.

 

Are you looking for a lucrative commercial driving job? Contact Nova Driver Services today or check out our online job board! We’re one of the top driver recruitment agencies in the GTA, and our team of experts would be happy to help.

 

What Are the Different Types of Truck Driver Jobs?

Are you interested in starting a career in truck driving? It’s a lucrative career path that offers job security and growth, but not all commercial driving jobs are the same. There are many different types of truck drivers, each with its own benefits and skill requirements. Our driver recruitment experts at Nova Driver Services explain them all.

 

Truck Type

When looking at different types of commercial truck driving jobs, there are two things to consider- the type of truck you’ll be driving and the distance. Let’s take a look at the different types of commercial trucks you could be driving.

 

Dry Van 

Dry van trucks are where people starting out in the industry begin. “Dry van” is a common nickname for the rectangular trailers hauled by semi-trucks. Chances are you’ve seen these driving on the highway before. This type of truck is a large, single-trailer vehicle containing non-perishable products and dry goods.

 

Flatbed

You’ve probably seen a flatbed truck on the road before. As the name implies, this type of truck has a flat trailer that is open air. This type of truck is used to carry dry products or machinery that may be too big or awkward to fit in a dry van trailer. Flatbed truck drivers will have to become experts at tying down oddly shaped objects. This type of driver tends to make more due to the awkwardly sized goods they carry.

 

Freight

Freight hauling is a bit of a catch-all job that covers all cargo that isn’t housed under the umbrella of dry van hauling. Freight trucks transport things like liquids, oversized loads, and hazardous goods. Because the goods being hauled by freight trucks are usually more specialized, you may need extra training and certification to land these jobs, but they do tend to pay more!

 

Tanker

Tanker truck drivers are highly sought after and some of the best paid. Tanker trucks are used to transport liquids, which can either be hazardous, like oil or non-hazardous, like water. Tanker drivers have to know how to handle their trucks masterfully since the fluid can shift during the trip.

 

Refrigerated

Refrigerated trucks, or refers as they’re often called, are temperature-controlled trailers. They’re used to transport goods that have to remain at a certain temperature, such as frozen items, perishable goods, and medication. Refer drivers have to know how to check and set the temperature of their trailer, so they tend to get paid more than dry haulers.

 

LTL 

LTL, or Less-Than-Truckload, is a popular type of commercial driver job. LTL drivers carry smaller than normal shipments. This type of job is usually shorter distances or goods that couldn’t fit in one vehicle. LTL drivers make less, but they can do more loads daily. LTL drivers tend to have to load and unload their own freight.

 

Auto

Auto haulers are trucks specifically designed to carry automobiles. Auto haulers transport cars from one place to another, usually delivering new cars from the factory to dealerships. If you’ve ever seen a truck full of shiny new cars on the road, you’ve seen an auto-hauler. This type of truck can be very heavy, requiring specifically trained drivers. This also means if you’re qualified for it, you’ll make more money than the average commercial driver!

 

Distance

In addition to different types of trucks, commercial drivers can also take on different lengths of routes. The longer the driver, the more money you’ll make usually. Here is a look at the most common types of distance classifications you’ll get to pick from.

 

Long-Haul

If you hear “trucker” and picture someone that spends weeks on the road, you’re probably picturing a long-haul truck driver. As the name implies, long-haul truck drivers make trips that can take weeks. Long-haul truckers usually have special cabs with beds and kitchenettes, almost like a little home on wheels. These types of jobs make more money, but they do require you to be away from home for chunks of time.

 

Local/Regional

Local or regional drivers stay within a certain area. Local drivers typically only work in one city, while regional drivers may work in an entire state/province. How much you get paid depends on the type of load and how far you’re going.

 

Last-Mile

Due to e-commerce, last-mile delivery has exploded in recent years. Last-mile drivers are in high demand these days. This type of truck driver is what Amazon used to deliver your packages from their local facility to your home. Last-mile drivers tend to make multiple stops and usually make smaller deliveries.

 

Cross-Border

Cross-border trucking is when drivers have to cross a country’s border to make a delivery. In North America, cross-border trucking is usually between Canada and the U.S. and the U.S. and Mexico. Cross-border trucking jobs usually require more extensive background checks to ensure you can pass through the border but tend to make more money. Depending on how far across the border you’re going, these jobs can either be long-haul or just day trips.

 

Are you ready to start a lucrative career as a professional truck driver? Our driver recruitment team is here to help! Visit our online job board or contact us to learn more about open positions.

 

4 Reasons to Become a Commercial Driver

Are you looking to start a new career? Consider becoming a commercial truck driver! Drivers have a ton of job opportunities and are always highly sought after. At Nova Driver Services, we always have companies coming to us ready to offer competitive salaries and benefits to qualified drivers. Still not convinced? Here are just a few of the best reasons to become a commercial driver.

 

Job Security

Commercial drivers are a hot commodity. There has been a truck driver shortage for a few years now, which means that companies are willing to do a lot to secure and keep the best in the business. If you’re a qualified commercial driver with a clean record, you can rest easy knowing your job will be safe and that there will always be opportunities available to you.

 

Lucrative Career

People are often surprised to learn how much money commercial drivers can make. The average truck driver makes about $46,886 per year in Canada, with entry-level positions starting at around $39,000. This only goes up the longer you work, and many companies offer lucrative benefit packages as well. Salary will depend on the type of driver you are, what routes you drive, which company you work for, how experienced you are, and the load you haul.

 

Variety of Opportunities

When people hear commercial drivers, they often think of long-haul drivers that are on the road for weeks on time. There are actually a variety of commercial driver jobs available. There are many different routes, such as cross-border, last-mile, local, and regional routes. There are also different types of haul you can specialize in, such as dry bed, reefer trailers, auto haulers, tankers, flatbeds, or hazardous materials.

 

Quick Training 

Commercial driving doesn’t require any sort of extensive education or training. Most companies ask for a high school diploma at most. Those interested in this industry will need to have some kind of certification, though. Most commercial driver jobs require AZ or CZ licenses. Check out our complete guide to Ontario driver’s licenses to learn more.

 

Are you looking for work as a commercial driver? Contact us or check out our online job listings! Our team of hiring experts at Nova Staffing is ready to find you the perfect position.