Motivating Mondays

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re talking about generative AI and job development. Is this a threat to your job and if it is, what can you do about it? Humanity is critical to job development but the most successful professionals will be those who embrace both humanity and the new tools AI is providing. #MotivingMondays, is a weekly YouTube series dedicated to help Canadian job develope...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re talking about the importance of finding time to take a breath, refocus and re-energize going into a time of uncertainty. According to a recent Ipsos poll, 71% of respondents across 30 countries, think things will look up next year but people are split on whether the worldwide economy will be stronger (49%) or not (51%).  #MotivingMondays, is a weekly Yo...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re talking about a strategy for engaging employers that reinforces your expertise and builds your credibility. We're encouraging you to organize an employer-focused event this winter called a 'Recruitment and Retention Strategy Day', providing it sometime between now and mid-March. As people get back to work in January, we're entering a...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re looking at new evidence which suggests job seekers will complete bypass any jobs which fail to post a salary. Employers are losing many candidates simply for failing to disclose wages. And yet, the employers who value this sort of open and honest communication; they can be our best partners in job development. #MotivingMondays, is a weekly YouTube serie...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re talking about the self-defeating challenges of directing your clients to job postings and a new strategy that doesn’t focus on job postings at all. Ideally, candidates should be applying for jobs that haven't yet been posted. We want our clients to be the only person the employer is considering. We want to eliminate competition and allow our client...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we take a closer look at the benefits of pursuing seasonal employment for those wanting long-term jobs. According to recruitment firm Cadient, "the percentage of seasonal holiday employees retained as permanent staff varies widely by company and industry, but some employers convert as many as 35-40% to permanent positions. The overall retention rate in t...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we discuss take a closer look at Budget 2025; specifically the impacts to employers, job seekers and career development organizations. Did you know the federal government plans to use the Labour Market Development Agreements (the funding source which pays for most provinces' employment programs) to provide an additional $570 million over three years to h...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we discuss the feelings of discrimination many disabled job seekers are experiencing and the supports we can provide to address this with both employers and job seekers. Between 2017 and 2022, the percentage of persons aged 25 to 64 with disabilities who believed they had been refused an interview in the past five years because of their disability edged down...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, I had an opportunity to interview Sharon Ferriss, Senior Director, Marketing and Communications, with CERIC. We discussed plans for #Cannexus26 and the benefits of attending the conference (virtually or in-person) for job developers and other employer engagement professionals. If should be noted that all members of the Canadian Job Development Network (like y...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re partially looking at some of the challenges youth face in the job market, but our main thought is that this is the generation which will inherit the entire job market – and our we effectively preparing for this eventual outcome. Gen Z respondents are more likely (41%) to "always" consider their long-term career goals when making job change dec...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we’re looking at new research suggesting employers are increasingly connecting wages and wage increases to skills. According to the brand new 2026 Canada Salary Guide, 83% of employers agree with the view that professionals with specialized skills are paid more than peers without them in the same role. True, employers seem very reluctant to hire un-proven can...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we are talking about calls to end the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and whether this can form a job development strategy we can utilize for marketing our clients and students to these employers. Can Canada and sectors like agriculture succeed without these workers. You might be surprised to learn that while temporary students and workers make up more than...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we are talking a new trend called  ‘Open Hiring’ – where employers hire people: First Come / First Hire; no resume; no formal interview; no reference checks. While your local employers would likely be very concerned about this approach, retail giant ‘The Body Shop’ has been doing it since 2021 with great results. #MotivingMondays, is a weekly YouTube series d...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we discuss our plans for 'Leaders in Job Development'; gathering a group of leading career development organizations which champion the goals of job development and inclusive hiring. We're going to promote the benefits of job development supports directly to Canadian media outlets, influences, bloggers, podcasters, employers and employer groups...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we examine new research from BuildForce Canada suggesting the construction sector isn't necessarily downsizing, it's instead 'normalizing'. With an average construction unemployment rate of 5.6%, unemployment in the sector is still remarkably low compared to historical norms. The construction labour force, the total number of people either...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we talk about how we can coach individuals to achieve their very best in their own job search efforts. A focused, well-prepared job seeker can do far more to impress an employer with the quality of our services than all the marketing in the world. While we titled this topic: ‘Shooting for 100% in job search’, one hundred percent is not reasonable but it is as...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we talk about workplace accommodations and specifically about how employers can recruit parents who can neither secure nor afford child care. Many employers (that already accommodate hybrid employment) want employees to come in at least three days, or 60 per cent of the time. Allowing employees to start work after they drop their kids off for school and end t...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we talk about the primary ways employers are using AI to sort, evaluate and communicate with candidates including: Resumé screening (35%); Training (35%); Candidate Communications (34%); Recruiting (33%); Candidate Screening (31%); and Assessments (31%). Job seekers are concerned about this trend and 25% trust employers less if AI is used to evaluate their in...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we talk about how careers in early childhood education are being transformed by '$10-a-Day' child care funding. Provinces and territories have committed to having the program fully in place by April 2026. There's already been an increase of about 150,000 licensed child care spaces since 2019. #MotivingMondays, is a weekly YouTube series dedicat...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we talk about how employer engagement professionals can take the insights they learn from employers to help shape client service and build a 'team-approach' achieving employment outcomes. For instance, if we look at new research from the CFIB, we learn nearly 7 in 10 (67%) of small importers report paying Canada’s full retaliatory tariffs on goods f...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we talk about ongoing reductions to immigration and how they will likely increase wages while reducing unemployment. The Conference Board of Canada expects these dynamics will drive the unemployment rate lower in the coming years, down to 6.2 per cent in 2026 and 5.8 per cent in 2027. For both of these things to be true, we need scarcity in the labour market...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we conclude our 6-week series on 'Best Practices in Employer Engagement'. In Week 6, our final session in this series, we're talking about 14 different ways you can work with other employer engagement professionals in your community to improve employment and placement outcomes across the board. The idea is that if employers are better educated...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we continue our 6-week series on 'Best Practices in Employer Engagement'. In Week 5, we're talking about how follow-up is really about developing strong, productive employer relationships. In our discussion we lay out six practical activities job developers can undertake which can result in: (1) Better Job Development Conversion Rates; (2) Impr...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we continue our 6-week series on 'Best Practices in Employer Engagement'. In Week 4, we're talking about how job development is perceived among local employers and nine strategies for raising your profile within the business community. Employers regularly reject job development supports but continue to rely on recruiters, temp agencies and sear...

In this episode of #MotivatingMondays, we continue our 6-week series on 'Best Practices in Employer Engagement'. In Week 3, we’re talking about using 'Discovery' to build relationships with employers and to be able to effectively speak to their needs when pitching clients or students. Getting to know the challenges and daily reality of employers is the best way of building trus...