Category: Recruiting Tips and Tricks (page 1 of 6)

Navigating the New Age of Career Education and Employment

TalentEgg’s exclusive interview with Gabriela Casineanu, MBTI® Certified Career & Systems Coach, Founder/Principal of Introverts Academy

In today’s fast-paced world marked by rapidly evolving workplace dynamics, technological advancements, and the aftermath of a global pandemic, career coaching has become crucial in guiding students and new graduates toward success. We recently had the opportunity to speak with Gabriela Casineanu, the founder of Introverts Academy and an experienced career coach with 17 years of practice. In this enlightening interview, Gabriela discusses her insights on career education, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), mental health, and strategies for transitioning from school to the workforce in the digital age.

Gabriela’s Career Coaching Journey

Gabriela began her journey into the world of career coaching in 2006. “Three years after immigrating to Canada, I changed my career [from engineering to professional coaching]. Although I had 18 years in the technical field, I always felt something was missing,” she said. Her passion for coaching, her personality, and the rewarding career aspects motivated her to pursue career coaching. Gabriela recognized a gap in employment and career services and sought to introduce a coaching approach that considers everyone’s individual personality types and strengths.

Gabriela’s most outstanding achievement is the development and successful testing of strategies tailored to introverted students, which culminated in her award-winning book, “Introverts: Leverage Your Strengths for an Effective Job Search.” This work led her to teach at the university level and speak at national career development conferences, emphasizing the importance of personality types and traits in career counselling.

Gabriela’s inspiring vision for the future of career coaching aims to encourage over a million individuals to prioritize self-discovery, align their professional paths with their true selves, and embrace flexibility and adaptability in their careers.

Seamless Integration of DEI in the Workplace

Gabriela is a strong advocate for a transformative approach in the DEI space. She believes organizations should go beyond viewing DEI as a mere compliance requirement and instead integrate it into their culture and work environment at all levels. With her interactive and experiential job-related workshops, along with individual and group coaching sessions, Gabriela has helped students and teams learn new concepts and strategies, empowering them to improve interpersonal communication and foster an inclusive atmosphere.

A Holistic Approach to Well-being in the Workplace

Gabriela believes in a holistic approach to well-being that goes beyond mental health. “In my work with students, I help them understand that they have a two-fold responsibility: to themselves and the organization they’re part of (equally important for mental health). And I encourage them to speak up when they notice something about the work environment, how it affects them, or when they don’t feel well,” Gabriela tells us. Gabriela recognizes the profound connection between the mind, body, and spirit, and she emphasizes the importance of a healthy work environment that considers employees’ needs, strengths, and ideas. A healthy work environment promotes mental well-being and increases productivity and team performance.

Supporting and Attracting Students and New Grads

Employers can proactively support students and recent graduates in the digital age. Gabriela suggests that companies should communicate their willingness to hire candidates with less experience, emphasize the importance of soft and transferable skills, and consider personality and potential during the hiring process. Building connections with educational institutions and fostering alumni relationships can attract top talent.

According to Gabriela’s experience, employers can attract top students by aligning their organizational culture with the values of the current generation. Highlighting successful hires and their stories and promoting them can also help attract talent. Offering incentives for employee referrals and actively participating in career fairs can further enhance an organization’s appeal.

Advice for Career Educators

Gabriela’s advice for new career educators is to be patient and understand that expertise grows with experience. In the post-pandemic era, she urges tenured career educators to embrace technology fully, stay up-to-date on digital trends, and adapt their teaching approaches based on the personality types of their students.

Gabriela reminds us that amidst the endless stream of information, individuals and organizations have inner compasses – intuition and mission, respectively. These guiding lights can help navigate the ever-evolving landscape of education and employment. Success in the modern career coaching age becomes achievable and deeply fulfilling when individuals and organizations cultivate an organizational culture and a workplace environment that empowers employees to contribute their best towards the company’s mission, all while pursuing their own career goals.

Visit talenteggtrends.ca for more up-to-date employer, school and career centre news, tips and information!

The Top 5 Ways to Capture Gen Z’s Attention Online

June 27, 2023 / James Highet / 0 Comments

As the first truly digital generation, Gen Z has grown up with technology at their fingertips. Therefore, businesses and recruiters must know how to capture their attention online. Here at TalentEgg, we spend every day engaging with this exact demographic, and as a result, we have uncovered our top 5 ways to catch Gen Z’s attention:

Utilize Social Media

Gen Z is highly active on social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Creating engaging content and targeting your ads to the right audience is critical to reaching this demographic. That is why TalentEgg offers targeted and successful social media ad creatives that are eye-catching. Social media ads use effective algorithms to target the exact audience you want to reach.

Make it Appealing

Incorporating visually stimulating content such as videos, music, and compelling images into your online marketing strategies is vital when capturing Gen Z’s attention. These types of short-form videos remain one of the most effective mediums to connect with students and new grads. Concise, informative, one to five-minute branded videos are increasingly popular as students are more sensitized to quick, easy and immediate content. That is why TalentEgg offers TalentEgg Shorts! TalentEgg Shorts is a video series showcasing your employer brand that grabs students’ and new grads’ attention. You can film up to five one to five-minute episodes for your TalentEgg Shorts Series!

Keep It Real

Gen Z highly values authenticity, and they can easily detect when something is inauthentic. To ensure your messaging is genuine, it’s essential to use real people in your ads or branding and keep your messaging transparent and honest. That’s exactly what you can do during TalentEgg’s TikTok Takeovers! During a TalentEgg TikTok Takeover, your organization can access TalentEgg’s TikTok account for up to five TikTok posts for one week. From tips and tricks videos to TikTok dances with your team, this is your chance to “video-ize” your employer brand and give a genuine and authentic look into your company culture.

Make It Interactive

Engaging with Gen Z is crucial; interactive elements like quizzes, polls, and social media challenges can help. Using TalentEgg’s Instagram Takeover will make the most of these opportunities. By creating polls, quizzes, Q & A’s and giveaways, you can showcase your company’s strengths and demonstrate that you care about connecting with your target audience in ways that matter to them. These interactive strategies will keep your target audience returning and grow your employer’s brand recognition.

Be Mobile-Friendly

Given that Gen Z prefers to interact with content on their phones, optimizing your website and all employer branding content for mobile viewing is crucial. That’s why TalentEgg provides a mobile-friendly, customized employer profile on TalentEgg.ca. Your company’s employer profile on TalentEgg.ca is search engine optimized so that you can amplify your employee value proposition more effectively. This employer profile is the starting point for students, recent grads, and early-career professionals to learn about your organization’s employer brand, career opportunities and recruitment messaging.

At TalentEgg, our team of Gen Z marketing experts can help you achieve your employer branding goals. We are just scratching the surface regarding all the important ways of capturing Gen Z’s attention online! So, if you want to learn more about how to reach Gen Z effectively, contact our recruitment marketing experts today at info@talentegg.ca, and TalentEgg will grow your employer branding strategy to new heights!

The class of 2023 feels unprepared, but their skills are in demand, study shows

June 14, 2023 / Guest Author / 0 Comments

After spending a large portion of their academic journey learning remotely, the class of 2023 feels largely unprepared to enter a rapidly changing work force, according to a new survey. But research suggests graduates may be in better shape than they realize.

While there are economic forces to contend with such as inflation and a high cost of living, the job market for new graduates remains relatively strong. Despite missing out on some traditional work experiences during the pandemic, many bring distinct skills and experiences that are valued by employers.

According to a yet-to-be-published survey by TalentEgg, a career resource provider dedicated to Canadian students and recent graduates, 77 per cent of new graduates are worried about inflation and 54 per cent fear a looming recession.

“They’re also feeling somewhat unprepared for the workplace, which doesn’t surprise me,” says TalentEgg chief executive officer CEO Mary Barroll. “After three isolating years of working and studying remotely, students and grads have had less opportunity to have experiences in the workplace that [aren’t] remote.”

According to the survey, 80 per cent of new graduates felt they needed additional training to enter the work force; 89 per cent believe they need better presentation and communication skills and 73 per cent feel they need more conflict resolution training.

Despite valid concerns over a worsening economy and a lack of in-person work experience, Ms. Barroll says entry-level workers remain in high demand in most sectors of the economy.

“We’re seen a big increase in employers wanting to work with us recently, which means they have more jobs that they’re trying to fill,” she says. “Across the board most of our employer clients – and they are typically big enterprise clients who are looking to build a pipeline of young talent – are actively hiring students and grads.”

Furthermore, Ms. Barroll suggests that though the pandemic weakened some of their social skills it also equipped new graduates with other employable traits.

“Students would be well advised to remember how resilient and adaptable they’ve proven themselves to be,” she says. “They can use those lessons in resilience and adaptability to navigate a changing world, and they should take pride in the fact that they’ve done so well under such difficult circumstances.”

According to a recent survey of employers by Brainstorm Strategy Group, adaptability and resilience rank fifth on employers list of the skills they most want to see in student and recent graduate job candidates. The most desired trait by employers of entry-level staff is communication skills.

Brainstorm’s president Graham Donald says employers often complain of a lack of work force preparedness among entry-level workers, but suggests the problem might be more pronounced among the graduating class of 2023.

“Employers and the school advisory members are saying the same thing; that because of the pandemic students are pretty good at working virtually, but they are really not well equipped to come into the workplace,” he says.

Mr. Donald says students typically graduate with some in-person work experience, either from summer jobs, co-op placements or part time work, but says it’s become harder for employers to find entry-level staff who are comfortable navigating an office environment. He advises recent graduates to be present in the office, suggesting that in-person connections are particularly important to this cohort.

“If the opportunity is there, go as much as you can,” he says. “That’s how [career] opportunities open up, because people don’t build the same relationships virtually, there’s just no comparison.”

Mr. Donald says networking is especially hard for young people, as they have less of a network to build on. He suggests starting by reaching out to fellow alumni to request a few minutes of their time.

“If you call a graduate from your program, they will most certainly say they will be happy to talk to you,” he says. “Never ask them if they have a job for you; ask them about their career, how they got there and about their career path.”

Developing those communication, networking, and other soft skills, according to new research from LinkedIn, may even prove more valuable to graduates than their actual degree.

“Your educational institution, and your degree, while important, is no longer something that directly places you in front of an employer,” says Riva Gold, the senior news editor of LinkedIn Canada. “Increasingly employers are looking beyond your degree to your skills, and that means they’re also looking to widen their candidate pool.”

According to Ms. Gold recent graduates can pursue opportunities in most industries regardless of their educational background, so long as they can demonstrate the necessary skills.

“You need to be adaptable, and forward looking, and nimble, and ready to pivot, rather than investing in a specific career ladder, just because of what you studied,” she says. “A learning mindset has always been important for career starters, but as the specific skills needed to do particular jobs change really rapidly, employers are increasingly focusing not just on the technical skill set you have at the moment, but your demonstrated ability to learn and apply new skills to get results.”

JARED LINDZON
SPECIAL TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL

Be sure to check out all the TalentEgg editorials dedicated to student and new grad recruitment and success today!

Exclusive Insights: 2023 #TEAwards Survey

June 8, 2023 / Charlie Gibbons / 0 Comments

During our 2023 TalentEgg Virtual National Recruitment Excellence Awards & Conference, we conducted several live surveys – to try and gather insights relating to the workplace and recruitment trends. We surveyed over 90 attendees consisting of recruiters, career coaches and educators. Here are the trends we discovered and the insights you should note.

IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVES IN THE WORKPLACE

In today’s world, the significance of mental health in the workplace cannot be overstated. When we asked attendees if their leadership could benefit from additional training in supporting employee mental health and wellness, an overwhelming 100% responded with a resounding “yes.”

This statistic shows that mental health initiatives are in high demand amongst working professionals and that employers, schools and career centers want to continue to grow their mental health initiatives and create a safe and welcoming environment for all students, new grads and working professionals. That’s why we created our new Mental Health & Psychological Safety In The Workplace Master Certificate Program on our TalentEgg eLearning Academy site. With these courses designed for managers and team leaders, you can build a psychologically safe workplace where employee mental health is a high priority.

This 10-course Master Certificate Program, developed by leading psychologists and mental health professionals, explores the many facets of workplace mental health. Clinicians will guide managers, leaders, and HR representatives on best practices and strategies for fostering psychological safety and well-being at work. The interactive modules explain the many aspects of workplace mental health, and clinicians provide clear guidance on optimally addressing these delicate and complex issues in a work setting.

Move your organization forward and build the foundation for a psychologically safe workplace where mental health and wellness are a core value and a lived experience for your employees.

EMPOWERING DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN THE WORKPLACE

Researching companies’ diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and initiatives before applying has become routine for students, recent graduates, and working professionals. That’s why it is essential for employers to invest in DEI initiatives like DEI training. We asked attendees, “Do you think more DEI training should be offered in your workplace?” 100% of the respondents said yes.

This stat shows that there is an increasing demand for DEI training. That’s why we at TalentEgg have released our Diversity, Sensitivity, and Inclusion: Promoting Anti-Discrimination and Equity in the Workplace course on the TalentEgg eLearning Academy website.

We understand the importance of placing your brand at the forefront of all your endeavours. With this in mind, the TalentEgg eLearning Academy offers a white-label custom-branded version designed to seamlessly integrate into your existing onboarding training, reflecting your unique employer brand identity. Our comprehensive offering allows complete customization and branding of the courseware, ensuring a cohesive and tailored learning experience for your employees, putting your brand front and centre.

Once you invest in DEI initiatives, amplifying them is vital. That’s why we asked the question, “Do you think targeted DEI Eblasts sent to DEI student clubs and associations would support your diversity recruitment?” 93% of respondents said that DEI eblasts would support their diversity recruitment.

This statistic is the reason why we are rolling out our DEI Eblasts. Our specialized TalentEgg DEI Eblasts offer an even more focused approach to reaching the precise target audience of diverse young talent. By utilizing our extensive database comprising over 1000+ DEI clubs and student associations from 30+ universities and colleges across Canada, our exclusive and one-of-a-kind TalentEgg DEI Eblasts, allow your organization to strategically target specific equity-seeking or underrepresented groups, including 2SLGBTQ+, BIPOC groups, marginalized communities, women-led organizations, and disability-focused organizations. This focused approach ensures that your DEI messaging reaches the intended audience precisely and maximizes your promotional efforts’ impact while helping you accelerate your diversity hiring efforts! Inquire here to learn more.

SOFT SKILLS ARE CRITICAL SKILLS; DOES YOUR YOUNG TALENT HAVE THEM?

Our 2023 Guide to Recruitment highlights how imperative soft skills are for the career success of students and new graduates. When attendees were asked, “Do you think Soft Skills are critical for young talents in the workplace?” 100% of respondents agreed. When we asked them if they believed their company should invest in Soft Skills Training, 100% of the respondents also answered “yes.”

The urgency to equip students and new grads with the necessary soft skills for the workplace is apparent. It is essential to take immediate action to secure career success for your young talent. That’s why we have continued to grow our TalentEgg eLearning Academy.

TalentEgg’s eLearning Academy offers courses that teach introductory workplace soft skills for students and new grads making the school-to-work transition to enter their first internships, coops or full-time jobs, and intermediate soft skills to help young working professionals thrive on the job and advance in their careers. With an investment in soft skills, you will gain better-prepared, more effective and confident employees while increasing employee engagement and reducing turnovers. It’s a win-win for both your young talent and your company. There is no better time to invest in your talent’s soft skills. Contact us to get your custom-branded version of the TalentEgg eLearning Academy soft skills courses to fit seamlessly into your other onboarding and professional development courseware to help your new hires and existing employees be the best career professionals they can be.

From our extensive experience working with employers, students, and recent grads, we learned there is frequently a skills gap in students leaving school to enter the workforce successfully. We help employers address this gap through two specialized TalentEgg Academy eLearning Programs: Backpack to Briefcase: Introduction to Workplace Soft Skills and Briefcase to Boardroom: Intermediate Soft Skills to Advance Careers.

VIRTUAL METHODS OF ENGAGING YOUNG TALENT

In the modern recruitment era, online and digital methods are crucial to bringing on young talent. During our “Students & Grads’ Career Wishlist for 2023” panel, we asked industry professionals and recruiters their most effective virtual methods of engaging with students and young talent. The most common responses were “Virtual Career Events / Info Sessions” and “Social Media.”

In 2023, we found that 19% of students went to no virtual career events this year, and 30% went to zero in-person career events. We identified one primary reason for their limited attendance at career events. They expressed a lack of interest and knowledge in the career fairs and events that were available to them.

This fact shows that marketing is vital to the success of your event. So it’s crucial to promote your events and publish them on as many websites and social media platforms as possible for search engine optimization (SEO) purposes and to expand your reach to as many students and new grads as possible. If you are having trouble getting Gen Z to sign up for your events, you should utilize our Unlimited Event Postings, included as an essential element of our TalentEgg Annual Campaigns.

The other most effective way to engage with students and new grads is through social media. At TalentEgg, we have invested substantially in the past year to enhance our follower count, increase impressions, and drive engagement to new heights. Using TalentEgg’s social media channels, followed by students and grads actively looking for jobs, is a great way to build your followers among your target candidates and support your campus recruitment outreach.

TalentEgg also offers various social media services to our clients that aid in boosting engagement and reaching Gen Z talent. These services include TalentEgg Social Media Takeovers for Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn, TalentEgg Shorts, TalentEgg Social Media Promotion, TalentEgg Social Media Ads, and more. Inquire here to learn more.

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Category: Recruiting Tips and Tricks (page 1 of 6)

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