Motivating Mondays

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...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we  explore how networking is becoming more transactional. It seems as though both employers and job seekers have a low opinion of how networking is evolving. According to a recent survey by Harris Poll, 70 per cent of Canadian hiring managers and 76 per cent of job seekers say networking today feels more like a business transaction than a genuine personal co...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re  exploring marketing strategies that could make a difference in pitching clients with criminal records to employers. Employees with criminal records have a 13 per cent lower turnover rate than those without one, according to a study from Northwestern University. They’re also no more likely to be fired for misconduct than any other employee. According to...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re taking a deep dive into how local employers are being impacted by global trade. Trade uncertainty is causing inflation, higher input costs, and reduced profits. In the release of last week's Labour Force Survey, while economists were expecting the country to create 10,000 new jobs, instead we lost 84,000 jobs. This was one of the worst single month...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re taking a different look at International Women’s Day. While most people take the time to celebrate women in our society, is this not overlooking there serious inequity women face in Canada’s labour market. When in Canada earned 88 cents for every dollar earned by men in 2025, leaving a 12 per cent wage gap — a slight improvement from 82 cents nearly thr...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re taking deep dive into mentorship; specifically its success rate, challenges, opportunities, and employer attitudes. In 2023, a survey by Harris Poll found 76% of hiring managers believe internal mentorship programs are essential in reducing brain drain. In fact, even those who do not have mentorship programs acknowledge such practices allow employers to...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re examining the challenge of getting past low wage employment. Women, single parents, those with disabilities and those with limited education are much more challenged by low-income. People in female lone-parent families (23%), people without a high school diploma (21%), and people who reported they always had limitations in their daily activities (18%) w...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re taking a closer look at perceptions of 'ghost jobs', how common are they and what can people do about them. A recent survey found that 70% of job seekers say being ghosted by an employer – receiving no response after applying or interviewing – impacts their mental health and motivation to continue searching, with 33% describing the impact as s...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re taking a closer look at the growing number of 'contract roles' employers are offering to job seekers rather than traditional employment. The gig economy is not all it's cracked up to be. If someone has been claiming to be an independent contractor and the Canada Revenue Agency determines they are an employee rather than an independent con...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re taking a closer look at the challenges of the current job market and what job seekers can do to overcome them. Finding full-time work remains the primary objective for job seekers, with 78% willing to accept full-time positions, while 38% are willing to accept part-time work. Almost one-third (28%) are willing to accept contract or freelance positions,...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re taking a closer look at disclosing disability. New research from the Conference Board of Canada provides valuable employer and employee insights that can assist us in not only better preparing our clients or students but also support employers in creating a more inclusive workplace. Employees with disabilities typically disclose only when necessary—such...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re talking about the massive changes that have come and are coming to employment standards across the country. Each province and territory is angling to be the most attractive place to live whether for young people, immigrants or those from other parts of Canada and they are introducing worker-friendly standards to encourage this. According to the Canadian...