Become a Great Place to Work: The Best Talent Attraction Strategy

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Company culture has become a focal point for companies and employees. With an ultra-competitive job market that makes holding onto top talent difficult at the best of times, senior leadership is starting to place more of an emphasis on culture. In a 2021 PWC study, 67% of senior leadership reported that culture is more important than strategy or operations – that’s a significant increase from the 53% who said so just 8 years prior.

Becoming a Great Place to Work

STRIVE team in Cancun

When it comes to talent attraction and retention, fair compensation has always been a big factor, but we know now it isn’t the only one. People are looking for alignment with the company mission and values, a deeper connection to their work, work-life balance, and opportunities for development. These factors combined are what make a great place to work.

 

Invest in Professional Development

Encouraging a culture of continuous learning and development is a great way to increase motivation and productivity among your employees. It feels good to have someone invest in your future. Not only that, a well-trained and motivated workforce leads to increased adaptability, competitiveness and innovation.

There are a number of ways to provide this professional development, but usually it involves a multi-pronged approach including training, mentoring, workshops, and assigning new responsibilities. But it all starts with encouraging your team asses their skills and helping them identify room for growth.

For some organizations, investing in professional development will mean bringing in external voices for training sessions and workshops. For others, it will start from within with one-on-one coaching, attending conferences and trade shows, or management training. You could also offer employees time off or money to pursue career advancement, or a membership in some external organization.

 

Provide Flexibility & Work-Life Balance

STRIVE team at dinner

Work-life balance has become an increasingly pressing issue in a post-pandemic world, where employees are often working from home, during evenings or on weekends. Work-life balance is defined as the intersection of work and personal life.

As an employer, you can help your team manage that balance and create some separation. Work-life balance will mean something different to each of your team members, so a good strategy would be to make an effort to decrease work-related stress while doing whatever you can to make people happy and healthy while they’re at work. Flexibility is a big piece.

During the pandemic, we saw companies scramble to provide flexible solutions. But now, flexibility has become something that people look for in a great place to work. Flexibility could mean offering the option to work remotely. But on a deeper level, a flexible workplace allows people the freedom to prioritize their personal needs and responsibilities. That could look like flexible start and end times, compressing work weeks, and allowing for childcare responsibilities, pet emergencies, and other realities of life.

 

Ensure Competitive Compensation

One undeniable aspect of attracting skilled people and retaining them in the long-term is fair compensation. Money isn’t the only driving factor, but it’s an important part of becoming a great place to work.

The wages you provide your employees should allow them to live comfortably in whichever city they reside in. This will vary greatly, but if you aren’t keeping up with the cost of living, you’re giving people a reason to leave.

Wages or salary is just one piece of the puzzle. There are other ways to incorporate benefits and incentive-based compensation for employees. Health insurance is a big one, and consider benefits like profit-sharing, performance bonuses, and stock options. Get creative with it too – some of today’s greatest places to work offer meals, gym memberships, fitness classes, and counselling services.

 

Hold Events & Uphold Traditions

One of the most tangible methods of creating a strong workplace culture and becoming a great place to work is by regularly hosting events and upholding traditions that your people can participate in. Not only will these events give people something to look forward to, but they’ll encourage an environment where people can connect on a deeper level than just work. This approach will become even more necessary when you have people working on a remote or hybrid basis.

It could be something small, like celebrating birthdays or company milestones. It could be treats at the office. But to take your community building to the next level, think about team outings and activities like bowling, scavenger hunts, volunteering, art or cooking classes, barbeques, beach days, or sporting events.

 

Be There for Your People

STRIVE team on the beach in Cancun

Showing people that you care and being there for them is a central theme in any strong workplace culture. And there are a number of ways to do so.

It all starts with making everyone feel included. The best workplaces accept people with a range of experience and skill levels, backgrounds, and beliefs. An organization that prioritizes a inclusive work environment and makes an effort to encourage diversity is a strong one. That’s where creativity thrives.

Helping your people prioritize their physical and mental health is one way to show up for them. Not only does overall health impact their happiness and well-being, but it also affects performance. Employers can make healthy food and snacks available to people, and introduce healthy activities like yoga, fitness classes, and nutrition coaching.

Mental health is another important aspect that shouldn’t be ignored. Stress and burnout is real, and as an employer, you bear some responsibility in helping your people with those challenges. Many people would benefit from mental health resources like counselling, stress management, and meditation.

 

Great Place to Work® Certification

Any company can claim they’re a great place to work with an enviable workplace culture, but how can you prove it to job candidates and potential hires? That’s where the Great Place To Work® Certification™ comes into play. The certification represents a comprehensive independent review process that stamps on the best of the best as a Great Place To Work®.

Over 30 years of research has culminated into a time-tested, scientific approach known as the Great Place To Work Model™, for determining which companies are great to work at. But at the end of the day, the input comes from real employees at your company. In a survey format, they’ll be asked a number of questions focused on trust, respect, and real-life experiences at work. As a result, you’ll get real-time feedback on your company culture.

STRIVE Recruitment has been honoured to receive the Great Place To Work® Certification™ 2 years in a row now. We’ve tried hard to create a workplace culture that’s positive, inclusive, and values everyone, and our commitment is paying off.

STRIVE team at a golf tournament

If you’re looking for help hiring top talent in your industry, reach out to STRIVE Recruitment. We offer permanent, executive, and contract recruitment services with a specialty in Accounting & Finance, Corporate Administration, and Manufacturing & Operations. Discover the STRIVE difference and contact us today to get started.

STRIVE RECOGNIZED AT GPTW® REGIONAL CELEBRATION

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As a 2024 Great Place to Work® Certified and Best Workplaces™ in Professional Services recognized company, STRIVE Recruitment was proud to attend the Great Place to Work® Regional Celebration at the Paradox Hotel in Vancouver.

This prestigious event brought together top organizations dedicated to fostering outstanding workplace cultures. STRIVE’s Vancouver leadership team, alongside the Ontario office’s Managing Partner, had the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, share insights, and celebrate our shared commitment to workplace excellence.

The evening included a warm reception, a recognition and awards ceremony highlighting each organization’s achievements, and a dinner filled with networking opportunities and team photo moments, pictured above. Concluding with final remarks, the event reinforced our dedication to fostering a workplace where our team, clients and candidates thrive.  

Amazon’s Bold Move: Bringing Workers Back to the Office Full-Time

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In the evolving business landscape, many companies are still struggling with the question: Should employees continue working remotely, return to the office, or embrace a hybrid model? Amazon, the tech giant that revolutionized online shopping and cloud computing, recently made waves by announcing that they are bringing workers back into the office full-time. This decision has stirred discussions across industries, given the global shift towards remote work over the past few years.

At STRIVE Recruitment we’ve observed that while job seekers still overwhelmingly prefer hybrid or remote work, we’ve seen a trend where many are accepting roles without these options. This is especially true for in-demand roles where the need to secure employment outweighs the desire for flexibility. On the employer side, we’ve seen an alignment with Amazon and a growing shift back to full time in-office policies as the norm. 

So, what drove Amazon to make this bold decision, and what are the implications for both employees and the future of work? 

The Rationale Behind Amazon’s Decision

Amazon’s choice to revert to an in-office work model comes after a prolonged period of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. While other tech companies, like Google and Microsoft, have embraced hybrid work models, Amazon’s leadership believes that full-time office presence fosters better collaboration, innovation, and long-term success.

The Employee Reaction 

Despite Amazon‘s reasoning, it’s important to consider how employee preferences play a role. Research from Statistics Canada shows that nearly 25% of Canadian employees who were working from home in 2023 would have preferred to increase their time working remotely. This discrepancy between employer goals and employee desires may affect long-term talent retention, as workers increasingly seek flexibility as a core benefit. 

Additionally, PwC’s 2024 Trust in Business Survey reveals that 71% of employees believe flexibility around when work gets done builds trust, yet only 43% of executives offer such flexibility. This growing gap between employee expectations and executive policies, like that of Amazon’s, could challenge efforts to maintain a trusting and motivated workforce. 

There are also concerns around the impact on talent retention. In an industry where skilled workers have plenty of options, Amazon risks alienating employees who prefer remote work or those who relocated to different areas during the pandemic, relying on the flexibility of virtual offices. The shift could lead some employees to seek opportunities at companies with more lenient remote policies. 

However, not all reactions have been negative. Some employees welcome the change, seeing it as an opportunity to regain the social aspect of work that remote setups lack. For younger professionals or those earlier in their careers, working in an office can offer better mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to resources that are harder to replicate in a remote environment. 

The Impact on Industry Trends 

This return-to-office decision could have ripple effects across the tech industry and beyond. As a major employer [Amazon], their move may set a precedent for other companies contemplating the same shift. Some industries may follow Amazon’s lead, betting on the importance of in-person collaboration to drive business results. As stated in an Entrepreneur article, Google, will not be following suit and will continue to uphold a hybrid model as long as employees continue to uphold productivity during their remote workdays. 

However, the broader trend appears to be moving toward hybrid work models, which offer a compromise between remote flexibility and in-person collaboration. Amazon’s decision to go against the grain might work for them due to their size and scale, but other companies, especially smaller ones, may struggle to make a full-time return feasible without alienating their workforce. 

Conclusion 

Amazon’s decision is a bold experiment, and its outcome will likely be watched closely by leaders in all industries. It poses a fundamental question: How important is in-office work for driving innovation and maintaining productivity?

In our experience at STRIVE Recruitment, while the demand for remote and hybrid work options remains strong, job seekers are increasingly accepting in-office roles when necessary, in this competitive job market. Flexibility is still a top preference, but it’s no longer a dealbreaker for many candidates. Despite Statistics Canada data showing a substantial rise in hybrid and remote work since 2022, we’re seeing more candidates adjust to market realities, accepting roles that prioritize in-office collaboration.

The future of work remains up for debate, and as companies continue to adapt and evolve, the balance between in-person and virtual work environments will shape the workplace for years to come. Amazon’s bold decision to bring workers back to the office will be an interesting case study, but the larger trend of hybrid work is here to stay. 

STRIVE Recruitment Celebrates its Second Consecutive Year of the Great Place to Work Certification

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We are thrilled to announce that STRIVE Recruitment has achieved the Great Place to Work® certification for the second consecutive year! This recognition highlights our ongoing commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment. 
 
We’ve been proven to value collaboration, celebrate diversity and truly care for our employees’ well-being, with 100% of our staff believing they are treated fairly, regardless of age or gender. 
 
We are immensely proud of the culture we have cultivated over the past 15 years and are committed to continuously improving the standards that have earned us the Great Place to Work Certification. 
 
If you are interested in working with a company that shares your values, contact us – we are always looking for talented, passionate individuals to join our team! 

Your One-Stop-Shop for Recruitment Services: STRIVE Recruitment

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If your business is looking for a professional recruiting firm to staff your organization with proven and experienced people, STRIVE Recruitment can help. Starting at the height of the global recession in Vancouver in 2008, STRIVE saw quick success standing on the pillars of culture and experience. Today, 15 years later, STRIVE remains a premium recruitment firm with a near-perfect Google review score among hundreds of happy clients. But what makes STRIVE stand out from the rest?

The STRIVE Difference

team of colleagues at table

STRIVE has been successful in the recruiting world thanks to its exceptional search system and full-service recruitment approach, catering to anyone from small family businesses to Fortune 500 firms.

Having a team of recruiters that each bring their own area of expertise to the table has helped them grow from a firm that started as an accounting and finance specialty recruiting outfit, to one that finds high-quality candidates for manufacturing & operations, corporate administration, and a range of other roles. And with so many years in the industry combined with AI-powered Talent Intelligence platforms, the recruitment engine is top-tier.

The S3 STRIVE Search System is a unique recruitment approach that provides a comprehensive range of recruitment services broken down into 8 stages. It starts with a dedicated account manager, leveraging AI and recruiter assessments to gather candidates for interviews. The options are then presented to the client and we then work with you to organize face-to-face meetings, close on your ideal candidate, and follow up post-placement.

Here are some of the recruitment services we offer:

Permanent Recruitment

on the phone with computer

Permanent recruitment services are designed to help businesses fill positions for the long term. Finding the right person can be time-consuming and costly, so in the majority of cases, you’re likely looking for a candidate who will stick around.

At STRIVE, we take pride in delivering these candidates promptly and efficiently, with a track record of filling positions in 3 –10 days for intermediate roles and 20 days for senior positions. Plus, our full-service recruitment services mean you’ll hardly have to lift a finger – freeing up your time and saving you money. When working with clients on permanent recruitment, STRIVE manages that entire process from start to finish – everything from candidate screening to offer negotiations.

Executive Recruitment

working on documents and computer

Executive recruitment is all about finding those highly skilled, highly qualified candidates to take the helm in executive roles that are ever-so difficult to find. The good news is our recruitment specialists are well-positioned with a knowledgeable network of contacts that help them find those high-calibre individuals.

When you work with a STRIVE dedicated executive recruitment specialist to fill your next senior position, you’re getting recruiters with a proven track record of success. Plus, we offer market-leading guarantees of at least 3 months, giving you some peace of mind in your investment.

Contract & Temporary Recruitment

office of people working at desks

Whether you’re looking for a temporary staff for one day, a holiday cover, a contract worker or a temporary-to-permanent solution, this type of recruitment requires a special kind of approach and expertise. This type of staffing requires timely, reliable service and strong results.

At STRIVE, our temporary recruitment services can be tailored to the unique needs of your industry. Not only that, these temporary hires should be able to be thrown into your organization and integrate seamlessly. When hiring for the short-term, there’s no time to waste.

Payroll Services

signing a cheque

Dealing with payroll on your own can be a time-consuming task. In reality, your time is probably best spent elsewhere. That’s why STRIVE offers complete payroll services that can help scale your business as needed without having to add people or administrative overhead.

At STRIVE we provide complete payroll services to businesses of all sizes, which includes everything from payroll processing, tax filing and time and attendance tracking. You can rest assured knowing your payroll is being handled efficiently, accurately, and in full compliance, so you can keep your time and spend it moving your business forward.

If you’re looking for a position to be filled, contact STRIVE Recruitment. Whether you’re looking for permanent recruiting services for entry-level or senior-level employees, contract workers or short-term hires, we can help. Specializing in accounting & finance, manufacturing & operations and corporate administration, we can find you high-quality candidates on time and on budget. Contact us today to get started finding your next star player.

Celebrating becoming Great Place to Work® Certified at STRIVE!

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Celebrating becoming Great Place to Work® Certified at STRIVE! 

Today marks a significant milestone for STRIVE, as we proudly announce that we have been Great Places to Work Certified. This achievement is a testament to our dedication to creating a positive and inclusive workplace culture where every employee feels valued and respected. 

The Great Place to Work® Certification is one of the most prestigious achievements for any organization across the globe. Great Place to Work™ uses employee surveys and a certification process to determine and benchmark an organization’s performance.  

With an impressive 99% of our staff believing that employees at STRIVE are treated fairly regardless of their age or gender, we can say with confidence that we have created an environment where everyone can thrive. Our team members are our greatest asset, and we are committed to investing in their growth and well-being. 

If you are interested in working with a company that shares your values of inclusivity, contact us! We are always looking for talented individuals who are passionate, and we would be honored to have you join our team.  

6 Big Hiring Trends to Watch for in 2023 & Beyond

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For businesses looking to hire talent in 2022, it was a rocky year. In the aftermath of the pandemic, employees began jumping ship in numbers, remote work took over, and several industries experienced labour shortages. That combined with hints of a coming recession made 2022 difficult to recruit new talent.

If 2022 was any indication of what’s coming for 2023 and beyond, there’s a lot of change on the horizon. In this article, we’ll seek to uncover and explain some of the most significant hiring trends facing employers in 2023, so you can aim your recruitment strategy in the right direction.

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Best Practices to Avoid Recruitment Fraud

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REVISED: May 15, 2024

Recruitment Fraud Notice 

We have become aware of multiple reports of individuals claiming to represent our company, and we want to ensure that our clients and candidates are well-informed on how to identify and respond to any incidents that may compromise their safety or privacy. By making you aware of this, we hope to avoid and ultimately stop victims from falling for this fraudulent activity.

*We will never request a fee or payment from candidates. Please do not provide any personal or financial information to anyone you suspect of recruitment fraud. 

How to Identify Recruitment Fraud:

  • You receive a message on WhatsApp or another online messaging platform.
  • You are asked to provide a fee or payment (we will NEVER request payment from candidates).
  • Our email communication will only ever come from a @striverecruitment.ca domain. We will never contact you through Gmail, Outlook or any other free online mail service.
  • The job is not posted on our official Jobs page on the STRIVE website: https://striverecruitment.ca/jobs/
  • Always research the company before applying for a job. Check its website and search for reviews (ex. Google, Glassdoor, Indeed).
  • Cross reference the recruiter’s name and contact information with the employees on our official website under the Meet Our Team page. If you are still unsure you can reach out to that employee directly through the contact information in their bio.
  • We do not offer or promote freelancing roles or “side jobs”.

Fraudulent Message Examples:

For Canadians who are a victim of recruitment fraud:

  1. Reach out to your bank or financial institution for assistance.
  2. Report it to your local police.
  3. Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), even if you haven’t suffered any financial loss. Your report will aid law enforcement in investigating cybercrime.

Find out more:

Below are additional resources that offer information regarding employment fraud. They can help you learn how to identify fraud and provide guidance on what steps to take if you or someone you know becomes a victim:

To report any suspected recruitment fraud, please email mackenzie@striverecruitment.ca.

STRIVE Recruitment Inc. has entered into a partnership with the Advisory Team of the World’s Largest Big 4 firm.

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STRIVE Recruitment is working with a leading “Big 4” public practice firm who are THE Go Public Advisor with unparalleled success in advising clients through transactions! Clients include some of the world’s largest companies!

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Vancouver Fraser Port Authority Partners with STRIVE to Facilitate Their Tremendous Growth

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The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is in need of top talent across a number of areas: talent acquisition, labor relations, and internal communications. They have engaged STRIVE Recruitment Inc. in an exclusive arrangement for 6 critical permanent positions within their growing team.

STRIVE Recruitment has been successful in meeting the urgent needs of our client, VFPA, as they continue to grow their team. We listened carefully to their needs and placed top talent, both efficiently and effectively!

If you or anyone you know may be interested in joining an iconic organization like the VFPA for any of the below roles, please get in touch today!

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