Motivating Mondays

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we discuss the growing trend of 'employer paralysis' where employers are opting to neither hire new people nor let go of existing ones. We look at seven specific things job developers can do to capture an employer's attention. A poor economy or economic uncertainty doesn't mean employers can't continue to grow and expand their busines...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we discuss whether job seekers should modify their personality to be successful at job search or in the workplace. For many, adapting is already part of the job. More than two-thirds of job seekers (68%) have changed aspects of their personality to fit workplace culture, while 59% say their personality at work is very different from who they are in everyday l...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we discuss the importance of applying to employers as soon as a job is posted. Not only does it demonstrate a great work ethic but often employers make their choice based in early applicants. According to an analysis of 11 million interactions on the freelancer platform Fiverr, those who took more than 10 minutes to respond to a work request were 30% less lik...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we discuss the changing profession of Early Childhood Education. According to Employment and Social Development Canada, the occupation is at a high risk for a labour shortage nationally through 2033. More than 162,000 job openings are projected over the next decade, and the field is expected to grow far faster than the national average.   #MotivingMondays, is...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we discuss Canada's development of Workforce Alliances. Last week, the Government of Canada revealed the Transportation and Supply Chain Workforce Alliance. It follows the Mining and Minerals Workforce Alliance and the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Alliance, which were both launched recently. Ottawa says the broader strategy is intended to give worker...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we examine the SMEAC approach to supporting clients in achieving employment goals. SMEAC is a framework used in the Canadian Army to solve problems. It breaks down an employment action plan into: Mission; Execution; Administration & Logistics; and Command & Signal. This approach can help clients develop a more targeted approach to job search.   #Motiv...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we discuss the legal considerations employers should be thinking about when using AI. In job development we're seeing greater and greater use of AI in recruitment, candidate evaluation, onboarding and in many workplace activities. This creates a great number of unstated expectations and legal landmines.   #MotivingMondays, is a weekly YouTube series dedi...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we discuss the whirlwind of job development which consists of emails, phone calls, meetings, and putting out fires. While not necessarily bad, it consumes 100% of time and energy, making it hard to execute new or strategic goals. While it may seem impossible to adopt new best practices, we don't need to radically change what we're doing. We just nee...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we discuss the launch of this year's National Networking Day for Job Developers, scheduled for Thursday October 22nd. This year's networking day will bring together job developers in their own communities across the country. We will also include a national portion, bringing together the groups in an online forum where we explore the benefits of netw...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we take a closer look at the challenges faced in the labour market by those with cognitive differences as well as those with mental health challenges. Research from the Labour Market Information Council reveals that over 90% of Canadian job postings require social-emotional skills that can unintentionally screen out neurodivergent candidates. Over 40% also co...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we take a closer look at career laddering for the client or student who wants the quickest return to the job market possible. Entry-level jobs are it risk from AI and other forms of automation but career laddering provides a pathway to better, more secure employment. Even for something like construction, a person might start off as a labourer; then complete a...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we take a closer look at the challenges introverts face in a job market designed for extroverts. Job search by its very nature requires people to draw on the skills, abilities and natural disposition of extroverts, which can be a challenge for their introvert counterparts. We need to help introverted clients understand they are being judged against candidates...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we take a closer look at job vacancies in Canada. For the first time in four years, Canada’s labour market is showing signs of renewed momentum with job vacancies increasing for the first time since 2022. Recently, Statistics Canada reported 506,700 vacant positions nationwide, an increase of 11,800 jobs or 2.4 per cent compared to the previous quarter.   #Mo...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re going to talk about the new 'Doomjobbing' trend, a variation of 'doomscrolling' on social media, a habit which can become a way of engaging with a problem that feels outside our control. Getting hired, by its very nature, feels outside of our control and so there is a natural tendency to try to apply for as many jobs as possible.   #...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re going to share details about a national initiative to support the employment of 10,000 individuals with disabilities between now and October. And while this might be an initiative around ‘disability employment’ when you really look at it, these efforts support the employment of everyone who’s under-represented in our labour market.    #MotivingMondays,...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we discussed the changing world of job development. There are 17 fundamentals in effective job development. This provides a structure whereby job developers are able to develop strong employer connections, best practices in career development and lasting employment outcomes.   #MotivingMondays, is a weekly YouTube series dedicated to help Canadian job develop...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re going to talk about the four objectives any job developer should pursue when cold-calling an employer. When you don’t have an existing relationship with an employer, you should be seeking an opportunity to have a more meaningful conversation, gathering information, presenting your services or working to build awareness. We’ll breakdown the most effectiv...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re looking at the changing nature of entry-level employment. More than 4 in 5 Canadian hiring decision-makers (81%) agree entry-level jobs require candidates to possess more skills than they have in the past. More than 4 in 5 Canadian job seekers (82%) agree that entry-level jobs require candidates to possess more skills (i.e., hard and/or soft skills) tha...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re looking at the skills utilization of recent immigrants in sectors such as hospitality, construction and healthcare. The challenges vary based on the sector. While many immigrants seek out survival jobs in hospitality and construction, barriers remain that leave immigrants over-qualified or over-educated in a variety of healthcare occupations.   #Motivin...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re looking at the preference of job seekers to apply for as many jobs as possible online, rather than taking the time and effort to curate a comprehensive job search involving networking, information interviews and in-person applications. Clients and students claim they've applied for 100 jobs without hearing back. Is the problem the employers who don...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re looking at a huge transfer of business leadership coming soon. The average age of Canadian small business owners is approximately 53 to 54 years old, with a significant portion of entrepreneurs approaching retirement age. Data indicates that around 60 per cent of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners in Canada are aged 50 or older. Marketing a...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re looking at the technique of 'Discovery' where we resist the urge to pitch clients and instead ask probative questions to better understand what an employer is looking for. A recent study shows that customers speak during 57% of the conversation in successful discovery sales calls. Their research also has found top-performing reps ask 39% more...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re going to talk about how hard-skills are the best path to employment. Here's a breakdown for skills that would have the most positive impact in the workplace: 1. Technical, practical or job specific, 30.7%  2. Customer service, 10.2% 3. Critical thinking, 9.6% 4. Problem solving, 9.6% 5. Team working, 6.0%   #MotivingMondays, is a weekly YouTube ser...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re going to talk about steps Employment and Social Development Canada is taking to make it more challenging for employers to hire temporary foreign workers. As of April 1, 2026, employers applying for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) under the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program must advertise positions for a minimum of eight co...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re going to talk about how labour market information can be valuable to job developers and other employer engagement professionals. LMI is very much an untapped resource of business and economic activity that leads to ‘emerging job opportunities’. We’ll talk about the importance of LMI and how critical it is to apply for jobs before the employer has even t...