Sarah Sheikh is the People and Culture Lead at Moves.
As they say, “you’re only as good as your team”. We all know recruiting plays a huge role in high-growth tech companies but who are some of the recruiters that design and build these rocketship tech teams?
After weeks of development, we are beyond thrilled to announce the first series coverage on Top Recruiters in Tech. We are absolutely blown away by the incredible perception and depth of HR tech community.
We would like to also take this opportunity to thank everyone who participated and also give a huge “thank you” note and shoutout to the companies who have supported this. This coverage would have not been possible without the support of our partners and friends.
A big congratulations to all the Top Recruiters and HR professionals here!
Also A big thank you note to our partners and supporters at the following organizations:
Top Recruiters Partners
Chocolate Soup
Chocolate Soup was born out of a sheer passion for building great company culture to support happy, caring, and respectful teams. They help companies of all sizes discover the power of radical generosity, surprise, and delight by recognizing important employee personal and professional milestones with expertly curated gifts. Chocolate Soup offers subscription-based employee recognition plans and remote-team gift boxes that can be customized for your culture and team. Check it out here.
Visto
Looking to hire foreign tech talent? Visto makes it easy to navigate the Canadian immigration process from start to finish. With Visto you can find and manage foreign tech talent, navigate the immigration process and use the automated application preparation, tracking, government compliance and more.
WFHoomie
WFHomie is the employee engagement analytics and culture-building platform for hybrid and distributed teams. The WFHomie platform identifies gaps in employee experience, and provides the toolset to automate the execution of virtual team-building experiences, activities and workshops, as well as onboarding, peer-to-peer appreciation, employee gifting and recognition.
Top Recruiters
Chernee Vitello
Kate Eyers
Adam Gellert
Madison Roman
Acacia Blake
Dan Plawiuk
Emily Seggie
Justin Krulicki
Sarah Brekelmans
Cecilia Bydlowski
Hanah Thibeault
Jhoany (Jo) Ruiz
Nima Maham
Jessica Smith
Sarah Sheikh
Joanna Woo
Jeff Waldman
Chernee Vitello
Linkedin
Company website: https://www.indexexchange.com/
Describe what you do in less than 140 characters.
I lead the global talent team for Index Exchange, a global advertising technology company headquartered in Toronto. My role is to lead the strategy and execution to hire the best talent for our company. I meet with the executive team and managers throughout the organization to determine what hiring needs they have and then work with my team to attract and connect with talent in this very competitive landscape. We really care about supporting our candidates and concentrate on making sure we’re providing them with the best experience possible.
What roles are you currently recruiting for?
We have a variety of commercial and technical roles open and are actively hiring software engineers, account managers, product directors, product marketers, and analysts, to name a few.
Best tip for a virtual interview?
Be yourself – be sure to bring a human element into the conversation and be transparent as well.
Best advice for someone starting out in their career?
Find a process that works best for you. Be yourself and always follow-up, drive is so important to this role as is really listening.
Coffee or tea?
Tea
Favourite thing to do outside work?
We live on a lake, so in the summer it’s taking a nice boat ride after work.
Kate Eyers
Linkedin
Company website: https://wagepoint.com/ca/
Describe what you do in less than 140 characters.
I get to find great people that not only have the skillset that we are looking for, but will also be great additions to our company culture.
What roles are you currently recruiting for?
Bilingual Fraud Analyst (Canada)
Customer Support Specialist – Payroll (Canada)
Event Specialist ( Canada)
Product Communications Specialist ( Canada)
Payroll Specialist (United States)
Best tip for a virtual interview?
Try not to be too nervous! I want to get to know you and your career aspirations in the most authentic way possible.
Best advice for someone starting out in their career?
Get your hands dirty. If the job you are hired for has the opportunity for you to learn so much more outside the scope of the original role, do it! You never know which direction your career will take you, so you might as well learn as much as you can.
Coffee or tea?
Give me all the coffee please!
Favourite thing to do outside work?
Seeing live music. Nothing is better than a moshpit.
Adam Gellert
Linkedin
Company website: https://hiredhippo.ai/
Describe what you do in less than 140 characters.
I’m a a serial entrepreneur on a mission to reshape recruitment and change the candidate experience. Since 2002, my team and I have been instrumental in building teams both at the corporate and recruitment agency levels. My latest venture, HiredHippo, is a hiring marketplace that connects top employers and candidates based on mutual interest, saving recruiters and talent wasted time and saying goodbye to the traditional recruiting and job application process.
In addition to HiredHippo, I founded the Linkus Group and co-founded The Help List and DisruptHR Vaughan. I’m also an active member of Toronto’s tech and recruitment community.
What roles are you currently recruiting for?
HiredHippo is currently focused on helping startups and SMBs in Canada (some US) stand out and attract top talent in Sales, Customer Success, and Marketing at all levels. Technology, Operations and Executive help we offer under our Linkus team. P.S. we do believe all areas of hiring are in need of a shakeup so watch out for more to come.
Best tip for a virtual interview?
Virtual interviews should be no different than in-person other than how you arrive and leave. Make sure you get a good story and you learn more about the person you want to hire. Think of how your favourite podcaster asks the right questions (Guy Raz is the best at this). Figure out first what we need (the business problem), then who’s the ideal profile for that role (benchmark), then take to market for the best available option (the match). Thank candidates for their time and let them know what the next step is.
Candidates, you should know how to articulate your value either with experience or lack thereof. Make sure to do your research, and ask questions that validate if the role and company align with what you want next in your career. Don’t forget to follow up and share why you’re interested and even if you want to decline.
P.S. Please don’t ghost! Everyone’s time is important and even if you’re not interested, let them know as it will go a long way. Don’t be late or let all parties know you’re running behind.
Best advice for someone starting out in their career?
Try different things and find your superpower (what you want to be known for). Don’t listen to people who tell you that your resume is too jumpy, if it doesn’t fit, find what does. There are a lot of amazing bootcamps and upskilling programs you can get access to on HiredHippo. I think everyone should work in hospitality and retail at some point or a sector that needs help and provides an environment where you can learn from different people.
Coffee or tea?
I’m a fan of a good oat cortado.
Favourite thing to do outside work?
Anything with family or friends but a hike or golf would be on the list of choices.
Madison Roman
Linkedin
Company website: https://www.northone.com/
Describe what you do in less than 140 characters.
As a Sr Talent Acquisition Specialist at NorthOne, I help source and cultivate top talent across North America for both technical and non-technical roles. I strive to provide a best-in-class candidate experience while also continuing to innovate and iterate on our recruitment strategy.
What roles are you currently recruiting for?
Data Analyst
Product Design Manager
Customer Care Specialist
Copywriter
Financial Crimes Specialist
Full Stack Developers
General Counsel
Technical Sourcer
Best tip for a virtual interview?
Never be late! Always show up! Download the video conferencing service and test your audio and video ahead of time so there’s no issues during the interview that waste time. This shows you’re prepared and ready to rock the interview!
Best advice for someone starting out in their career?
Networking is huge! Speak to everyone and anyone to help figure out what you really want to do. Be a sponge and soak in any experience and information to develop those essential soft skills that will set you up for success in any role
Coffee or tea?
Iced coffee ftw
Favourite thing to do outside work?
I may be “old school” but there’s nothing better than seeing a movie in a theatre. The big screen, the chairs, the popcorn, all so good!
Acacia Blake
Linkedin
Company website: https://envolstrategies.com/
Describe what you do in less than 140 characters.
Envol mobilizes Employer Branding, values, and work culture to strategically recruit talent and build HR solutions that drive mission and success.
What roles are you currently recruiting for?
Right now, I am hiring for a Client Success Lead, Senior Bookkeeper, Web Application Developer, Web Developers Interns, and Cannabis Operations Manager. From a cannabis start-up incubator to a cloud-based, back-office accounting firm, I am supporting diverse clientele that adapt a refreshing perspective on remote work and work-life balance. I’ve really enjoyed bringing their talent dreams to life and finding passionate, versed contributors for their teams.
Best tip for a virtual interview?
For us recruiters, there is nothing more disheartening than finding a candidate that checks every single box but is so anxious during an interview they can’t properly show how awesome they are. As recruiters, we need to foster a welcoming space and warm connection that meets their nerves with compassion. There are a few ways we can do this:
Lead with comfort. Instead of jumping into the interview agenda or diving into the role, connect with the candidate on a human level first. Start with a question or lead a conversation in an unrelated topic area that gives them a few minutes to get acquainted and breathe a little. For example, start by sharing your pronouns and asking theirs, ask them how to pronounce their name correctly, or ask them how their week has been so far.
Take a conversational approach. Let’s move away from the traditional interview style of question and answer. We want to take on a conversational approach where we as recruiters allow the candidates responses to guide the conversation. I forewarn you that it will feel very weird and somewhat emotionally draining in the beginning. But simply start by listening to the candidate’s response. If you pick up on something that’s interesting and pertinent to the role, dig into it a little bit or use it to transition into the next question.
I can promise you will leave your interviews with a smile on your face. More so, we’ll be recruiters that care about how interview practices impact our candidates and set them up for success.
Best advice for someone starting our in their career?
Just start by being open to every growth opportunity that comes your way! After finishing my graduate certificate in HRM, I was looking for the perfect opportunity. However, after 6 months of unemployment and endless rejections, I knew my thought process needed to change. Instead of focusing on the right opportunity, I just needed to get myself in the door somewhere and soak up all the knowledge and experience I could. In the early stages of your career, the perfect opportunity will not determine your success. Taking on positions that diversify your expertise and embracing mistakes as growth opportunities to enhance your skillset is where your success will come from.
Coffee or tea?
My best days always start with tea! That’s for two reasons. One, I tried coffee for the first time at 22 years old. I missed the coffee train during my undergrad and now all the energy it gives me puts me straight to sleep. Second, tea is a love language for my family. Drinking tea with my family grounds me and puts me in the mindset I need to be successful and lead a human-driven recruitment process.
Favourite thing to do outside work?
Outside of work, I am a full-time foodie and a part-time Netflix critic. When at home, I am watching everything on Netflix, dissecting character development and pinpointing theme symbolism. Right now, my favourites are Law & Order: SVU, Bridgerton, Ozark, and Why Women Kill. Each week, I find new Toronto food places to try. Have you tried a brunch box with mini pancakes and a pulled pork croissant sandwich? Or a taco the size of your face with melting cheese on the shell? Reliving it has me hungry!
Dan Plawiuk
Linkedin
Company website: www.ccs-pro.com
Describe what you do in less than 140 characters.
Myself and my team at CCS provide customized HR & Talent solutions to Start-Ups, taking the burden off of founders and establishing a strong foundation to build upon.
What roles are you currently recruiting for?
We’re working on everything from Office Admins & Payroll specialists to fractional CFO & CMO, Full-Stack Devs & Product Managers in the SaaS space, Node.JS Devs in the Crypto space, and Project Managers, and Integration Architects & Analysts for an HCM consulting client. Literally all of the first 40 hires, and next 100 hires are in our wheelhouse.
Best tip for a virtual interview?
Manage your environment. It’s not sexy, but it’s now the most common reason when interviews go poorly.
Plan ahead to ensure you have a quiet, private, well lit, well connected, and clean space to interview in. Interviewing in a stair well, whispering in a meeting room, or walking and talking on Bay St create major hurdles to establishing the kind of personal connection you should be aiming for.
Best advice for someone starting out in their career?
Find a great boss. Nothing will set you up for future success better than having a boss who takes the time to engage with you as a person with goals, responsibilities, and aspirations, rather than as a cog in the machine. If you find yourself without that, look around internally to see if it’s available. If you don’t see it there, start interviewing elsewhere.
Bonus: Best advice for someone starting a company? Be the boss you wish you had.
Coffee or tea?
Nothing against tea, but 1,000% coffee. I started my career with Van Houtte Coffee, got to spend time with their Master Roasters, and was basically force-fed high-quality coffee for 3-years as a part of my job. I likely haven’t had a day without coffee since 2002.
Favourite thing to do outside work?
The most personally rewarding thing I do (aside from spending time with my family) is coaching. I began coaching youth football when I was 16 and have been a volunteer coach at the high-school level in Montreal, Toronto and most recently in Burlington. Working daily with high-school aged kids gives you the opportunity to engage with them in developing physical skills, confidence, and a sense accountability, which remain invaluable throughout life. I don’t know many other places where you can have that kind of impact.
Emily Seggie
Linkedin
Company website: https://envolstrategies.com
Describe what you do in less than 140 characters.
We connect passionate candidates with exceptional employers across Canada. We also support employers with branding and HR solutions!
What roles are you currently recruiting for?
Accountants and Bookkeepers, Cybersecurity Professionals, Video Editors, HR Coordinators, Executive Assistants and Office Managers, Salespeople, Marine Techs and BioTrim Operators, and many more!
Best tip for a virtual interview?
For interviewers: Smile, be friendly and engaged.
For interviewees: Be sure to set yourself up for success by being familiar with the virtual platform. Let your personality shine through during the interview!
Best advice for someone starting out in their career?
Be open to opportunities that make you feel uncomfortable. Notice where you have to work extra hard and what comes easy to you. Don’t let the fear of making mistakes stop you from trying something new.
Coffee or tea?
Coffee!
Favourite thing to do outside work?
Sharing meals with my family and hanging out with my dog, Scout!
Justin Krulicki
Linkedin
Company website: www.masterclass.com
Describe what you do in less than 140 characters.
I lead recruitment efforts in Canada for MasterClass, the streaming platform where anyone can learn from the world’s best, specifically in the Waterloo Region as we build our brand and hire top talent!
What roles are you currently recruiting for?
Mainly Full Stack and Backend Software Engineers across all levels, with a focus on Senior and Staff Engineers. We are also looking for a Site Reliability Engineer, Infrastructure and a Staff Engineer, Core Services.
Best tip for a virtual interview?
Send a “portfolio” before the interview. What’s great about virtual interviews is that you can screen share. Your portfolio can contain your resume, cover letter, projects, personal websites, your GitHub, previous work, etc. All of that can be shared on a screen and you can talk through it during the virtual interview.
Best advice for someone starting out in their career?
Find creative ways to network and get your name out there. The portfolio advice applies here too. More than ever, you need to find an edge over other candidates and this is a way of doing that. At the end of the day, think about this “you are applying to get an interview before you are applying to get a job,” Do everything you can to get that interview so that you can sell yourself to the hiring team!
Coffee or tea?
Coffee! Often twice a day!
Favourite thing to do outside work?
Participate in sports. I am a huge sports guy. I play hockey, baseball and golf and watch pretty much every sport on TV. I’m now enjoying doing all of this with my two sons.
Sarah Brekelmans
Linkedin
Company website: https://brightlysearch.com/
Describe what you do in less than 140 characters.
Hello! My name is Sarah and I’m a passionate recruitment expert with 10 years experience working with startups to help build their teams. I am also the Founder & Principal Recruiter at Brightly, a small (but mighty) recruitment firm specialized in helping startups + scaleups find, assess and secure great talent in growth marketing, product management and HR.
Startups need people who can think across silos, and some search mandates aren’t as straightforward as they might appear. I collaborate with my clients to articulate their needs into a cohesive job description, market their brand effectively to the right talent, and secure hires that are equipped with the skill sets their businesses need for the long term.
For us, successful recruitment strategies are based on strong relationships and consistent communication. Whether it’s a candidate or client, we speak candidly and share our advice with transparency, to ensure the right people are matched with the right businesses.
What roles are you currently recruiting for?
The exact mandates change often, but the most common types of roles I recruit on include: Growth Marketing, Demand Generation, Product Management, Content Marketing, Product Marketing, UX/UI Design, Ecommerce, Public Relations & Communications and Marketing Automation.
Best tip for a virtual interview?
A strong internet connection and being in a quiet, non-distracting area are both an absolute must. Without these, what could have been a great virtual interview can turn bad quickly.
Best advice for someone starting out in their career?
If you have an opportunity to take on an internship during your education, or just after – take it. This is the best bridge to getting in the workforce, especially in a field you are eager to get into.
Coffee or tea?
A year ago, I would have said coffee, all day. These days, I’m all about the teas. Ginger and Lemon is where its at!
Favourite thing to do outside work?
Travelling & getting to know new cultures are always top of my list. Next is surfing, yoga, and hiking.
Cecilia Bydlowski
Linkedin
Company website: https://vanhack.com/
Describe what you do in less than 140 characters.
A tech recruiter who matches candidates searching for life-changing work experiences with companies looking for top tech talent across the globe!
What roles are you currently recruiting for?
Data Engineer, Full Stack Developer, Cloud Engineer, iOS Developer, Front End and Back End Developers and many others
Best tip for a virtual interview?
Prepare for what is coming.
First, get to know about the company, their product, the service they are providing, who will be interviewing you (check their LinkedIn accounts) and of course: study the job description.
No candidate will ever check all the boxes for a job posting, but you can definitely leave your mark on an interviewer when you know what they are looking for and understand your strengths and gaps for the position they want to fill.
Best advice for someone starting out in their career?
Make sure that the companies you join share the same values as you do and that you identify with their goals, daily activities and work culture. It’s not just a match with the technologies you love to work with
If it is not interesting to you, it does not make sense to grow within that organisation. What the company does and how they do it should make your curiosity tickle or your eyes pop.
If you are not talking about what you do and where you do it with passion, you’re probably not in the right place.
Coffee or tea?
3 espressos, please!
Favourite thing to do outside work?
Definitely playing games. My passion today is playing Jurassic World Revolution. Big dino fan here (kids in the house)!
Linkedin
Company website: https://pathcore.com/
Describe what you do in less than 140 characters.
I’m the HR Manager at Pathcore. Recruitment is a big part of my job, end to end I work to create amazing candidate experiences and hire great people
What roles are you currently recruiting for?
There’s a lot of variety. On the technical side I’m looking for software developers with experience in javascript and python. Also looking for some team leads and QA Engineers. On the non-technical side of things I’m hiring designers, sales executives, and digital marketing specialists.
Best tip for a virtual interview?
With virtual interviews specifically, test your video and audio early, and if there are issues be proactive in finding a resolution rather than waiting on the interviewer to suggest something.
For all interviews though, be yourself. Think, “if hired and working with these people every day, what would I want them to know about me? What do I want to know about them?” Don’t shy away from interviewing them back.
Best advice for someone starting out in their career?
Start how you plan to continue. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need to work overtime to prove yourself, and sacrifice your time and energy just because you think you have to. It’s easiest to set boundaries from the beginning rather than try to impose them later on.
Coffee or tea?
Neither! I’m not a hot drink person, but I will take some ice cold water or Coke any day.
Favourite thing to do outside work?
Love curling up in a cozy chair in the yard with my dog and a good book. Otherwise, you can find me being super competitive during board game evenings with friends, or hanging out on the couch watching shows with my husband.
Jhoany (Jo) Ruiz
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jhoany-ruiz/
Company website: https://vanhack.com/
Describe what you do in less than 140 characters.
I’m a team builder, relocating worldwide Tech Talent for Canadian-based companies. I recruit for every skillset and technology.
What roles are you currently recruiting for?
Senior Software Engineers, Tech Leads, VP’s Engineering, Data Engineers, DevOps, QA testers, etc.
Best tip for a virtual interview?
I’ve got several. First, do your homework. Study the company and interviewer. Be tech-savvy, ready to talk about the latest global news, showing them that you know what’s happening but keep in mind that time is money, so be concise and elaborate when asked. Know what Startup companies are looking for.
They want to know how candidates get stuff done using the STAR method. It is crucial to show them that you’re willing to keep learning and can communicate your ideas with the team matching the company’s culture. Stand out, and be curious by preparing your questions beforehand. Remember that you’re not only interviewing for this role, but you can also be an excellent fit for another potential opportunity. Try to rehearse and record your interview skills. You need to know your highs and lows before someone else puts you in a challenging situation, and most importantly, you need to know how to exit the tricky questions tactfully. Keep in mind, the perfect answer doesn’t exist. A majority of employers want to hire critical thinkers that don’t give up easily under pressure. Try the “Sorry. I didn’t quite hear what you said. Would you mind repeating the question?” is valid and will give you an extra minute to gather and articulate your thoughts and response.
On the audio and visual side, ensure a stable connection and use an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi. Pick a place with a clean background and good illumination. If not possible, rely on a virtual background and a light ring. Ensure that you have access to the video platform selected a day before, 10 minutes again prior. Finally, trust your recruiter as your best ally for your dream job.
Best advice for someone starting out in their career?
Show your personality here and be prepared to ‘sell yourself’ on all the job boards. Networking needs to be your focus here. You should be able to pitch your passion in a genuine way to engage with the people that will find you a job opportunity.
I would start in Tech Bootcamps, and Hackathons, paying close attention to the event organizers and which challenge winners to network with. Also, make sure you attend all the college job fairs and networking events.
The hunt for talent is real. Nowadays there are many opportunities for fresh starters new to the tech space, so make sure to select your training and entry roles wisely.
Coffee or tea?
I like black coffee, with no sugar.
Favourite thing to do outside work?
I chose to work remotely many years ago because I love to travel.
I’m a digital nomad looking for the next life experience, but unfortunately, I cannot always bring my puppy with me, so I’m always coming back to my home-based in Lima,Peru.
Nima Maham
Linkedin
Company website: https://www.surex.com/
Describe what you do in less than 140 characters.
I am the Corporate Recruiter for Surex Insurance. I help good people find work at the most exciting insurance brokerage in Canada!
What roles are you currently recruiting for?
Licensed Brokers, PHP and Angular Developers, HR Generalist, Information Security Specialist
Best tip for a virtual interview?
Be impressive! Be an expert on the company you are interviewing with. This will take a 20-minute Google search. Most companies will ask the same cookie-cutter questions but please do not give cookie-cutter answers. Stand out by giving examples of previous experiences with insights that show you have put thought into your conclusions. Finally, the area behind you can help sell you. The room should be clean but a guitar or easel can show off your artistic side and a bike will show off your athletism.
Best advice for someone starting out in their career?
Get a mentor or two or three. Sometimes we can be fooled into thinking that we should know all the steps to success and have a plan to get there at the beginning. Some of us start with no idea and some mentorship will get us on the right track. Also, How I Built This is one of many awesome eye-opening business/career podcasts I would recommend.
Coffee or tea?
More Coca Cola than I am proud of
Favourite thing to do outside work?
Is there anything better than biking? I wish I could be the Forrest Gump of peddling and travel the country for years.
Jessica Smith
Describe what you do in less than 140 characters.
I have been a recruiter for close to a decade, specializing in the Tech Space, and other departments and industries.
What roles are you currently recruiting for?
Software Engineers (Front-end, back-end, fullstack)
DevOps
Product & Project Managers
Security/GRC
Accounting
Operations
Sales
HR
Marketing
Best tip for a virtual interview?
Be authentic, and study the company. This means checking out their profile on Crunchbase and reading up on any articles featuring the company, their performance, and their plans for the future.
Best advice for someone starting out in their career?
Network with everyone and anyone you can now. Even if you are in a job right now, you always need to be networking, even if it is with professionals that are currently doing the job you do. You never know who is going to be able to introduce you to their teams later on down the road.
Coffee or tea?
Coffee, Tea, and more! You don’t need to stick to just one to appease your interviewer. Not everyone drinks coffee or tea. Sometimes i’ll head into these meetings with a Diet Dr. Pepper in hand!
Favourite thing to do outside work?
Go to the park with the dog
Explore food festivals!
Sarah Sheikh
Linkedin
Company website: https://movesfinancial.com
Describe what you do in less than 140 characters.
I recruit talent for the organization and support our employees with everything they need to build a successful company.
What roles are you currently recruiting for?
We are currently recruiting a Growth Marketer to discover, experiment, and scale a community strategy that engages tens of thousands of gig workers with the Moves brand and mission. This role is fully remote and we accept applicants from all over the USA. Although this is the only role we are actively recruiting for at the moment, you can always check out our career pages and reach out to us if you want to showcase your talent.
Best tip for a virtual interview?
A successful interview starts with a transparent and honest job description – be up front with the salary range, lay out the interview process, who the team is, what success looks like in that role and challenges. I start all of my interviews by introducing myself, including my pronouns, and asking the interviewee how they would like to be referred to. I then lay out what the interview will entail – two parts, first for me to get to know them and ask about their experiences and second for them to ask me about the role and what we do at Moves.
With virtual interviews, it’s important to be patient and understanding of the interviewee’s personal situation. There might be background noise or spotty WiFi and other factors that may mean the interview takes a little longer. And that’s totally fine, we have all been there! Be prepared to give your interviewee options; calling them on a cell phone, using another platform etc.
Best advice for someone starting out in their career?
Network and talk to people. Join recruitment or HR groups on Slack, join the conversation on LinkedIn. Learn as much as you can from others and lean on their experiences.
Coffee or tea?
Tea! I don’t drink coffee, ever.
Favourite thing to do outside work?
Discovering Toronto! I moved here right before the pandemic and feel like I am only now discovering my City. If you have any recommendations for places to eat, drink and visit, hit me up!
Joanna Woo
Linkedin
Company website: https://www.cruxocm.com/
Describe what you do in less than 140 characters.
I help people reach their potential and create happier workplaces.
What roles are you currently recruiting for?
We’re currently hiring for Commissioning/SCADA Deployment Engineers, Software Engineers, an Optimization Engineer, and a Technical Writer.
Best tip for a virtual interview?
If it’s an option, turn off self-view so that you’re not looking at yourself during the interview. This allows you to stop worrying about how you’re coming across and gives you more mental capacity to actively listen and participate in the interview.
Best advice for someone starting out in their career?
Find new ways to network! In a world that has seen a decrease in the number of in-person networking events, find new ways to meet and connect with people in your industry. Have you checked whether or not there’s a Slack group or Discord server you could join to network with others? Where do the more seasoned professionals in your industry congregate now that in-person meetings are more difficult? With virtual meetings becoming the norm, use that to your advantage and connect with others outside of your geography as well.
Coffee or tea?
Tea! I collect tea from all over the world and currently have at least 70 different types of tea that I cycle through.
Favourite thing to do outside work?
Exploring the outdoors! Depending on the season, most weekends you’ll find me hiking, backcountry camping, rock climbing, kayaking or canoeing, scuba diving or snowboarding.
Jeff Waldman
Linkedin
Company website: https://goscalehr.com/
Describe what you do in less than 140 characters.
ScaleHR helps growing SMBs scale their HR/People operations and fast-growing HR tech startups build better software.
What roles are you currently recruiting for?
We work with diverse SMBs throughout North America, and currently, we’re helping them recruit top talent in tech, marketing, human resources, recruiting, and finance.
Best tip for virtual interview?
While it’s a no-brainer to just be your genuine self, as you would in a traditional “in-the-office” interview, the best tip we can give you is to be cognizant of your background. If you’re serious about the company and the job you’re interviewing for, don’t do your virtual interview in your kitchen while you’re rocking the blender to make your mid-afternoon smoothie. Just don’t.
Best advice for someone starting out in their career?
Be a sponge. Career success is all about learning and having a growth mindset. You will never stop learning, and especially early in your career, come into it with eyes and ears wide open and ready to learn. And, while you’re doing that, jump into as many new experiences as possible – participate in or lead projects, add value to others, collaborate with your peers, and do whatever you can to help make your organization successful.
Coffee or tea?
Coffee all the way. I love Balzac’s Fairtrade Organic Farmers’ Blend beans – grind them up when I need to and brew with my pour-over contraption.
Favourite thing to do outside work?
As a dad of 3 cool boys I’m always involved in their extracurricular activities, but my favourite is snowboarding. While I no longer live in Vancouver and had Cypress and Seymour Mountains at my disposal, the local hills in the GTA are just fine.
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