Bruce Powell - Recruiter

What are some of the things hurting SMEs' ability to hire? I tackled this question on a recent podcast. Here's what I said... 🎧 This is from a podcast I did with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, you can listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/g7gasm7q In terms of some of the things impacting SMEs' ability to hire, I highlighted: - vague job descriptions resulting in poor candidate applicant fit for the role - too little candidate outreach / reliance on job board responses - rushing the hiring decision and therefore making a poor choice - weak employer branding / not enough social media presence What else would you have added to my answer?

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Curious about GROW Women Leaders and what’s coming next? Watch this video to discover how we’re empowering women, advancing equity, and shaping the future of work across Canada. Get inspired to join Canada’s most impactful movement for equity and leadership. Don’t just hear about change — be part of it. #GrowWomenLeaders #EquityInAction #FutureOfWork #WomenInLeadership #LeadershipSummit

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🎙️ New Episode of Let’s Get Digital! I had the pleasure of sitting down with Elya McCleave, Founder and CEO of Innovorg, on the latest episode of Let's Get Digital with Carrie Charles Elya shared her incredible journey from immigrating to Canada and rising through the ranks in cloud and data center operations — to launching Innovorg, a workforce intelligence platform revolutionizing how digital infrastructure companies manage skills, learning, and career development. We explored how Innovorg is helping companies close critical talent gaps through AI-driven skills mapping, personalized learning, and career pathing — and why this work is so essential in an industry facing massive change and a growing talent shortage. Elya also spoke with passion and clarity about attracting the next generation, upskilling technical talent into leadership, and building inclusive systems that empower every employee to grow and succeed. Her insights are powerful, actionable, and rooted in deep industry experience. If you're thinking about the future of your workforce, this episode is a must. 🎧 Listen now: https://lnkd.in/e_8tntyQ #Innovorg #LetsGetDigital #CarrieCharles #ElyaMcCleave #WorkforceIntelligence #DigitalInfrastructure #TalentStrategy #AIinWorkforce #SkillsDevelopment #LeadershipDevelopment #FutureOfWork #DiversityInTech #TechLeadership #Upskilling #DataCenters #CareerGrowth

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The Canadian tech talent market... Getting torched right now by global competitors. It’s not just theory ...we're watching it happen in real-time. This convo hits on the big mistakes we keep seeing and what needs to change before it’s too late. 👇 Here’s what Jesse Rodgers @ Builders Club and I had to say.

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According to Robert Half, 8 in 10 Canadian hiring managers can tell when candidates have used AI to create application materials. Interviewed on The Mike Smyth Show, Cal Jungwirth says virtual interviews screen quickly, while in-person meetings show presentation and team fit. https://bit.ly/4peo16o

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Margin pressure, tech disruption, and slow growth are hitting Canadian staffing agencies hard right now. But some firms are still winning. What are top-performing agencies doing differently to scale smarter? In this episode of Talent Titans, I'm joined by Huruy Tewelde and Bryan Wilson from StaffingOS® to unpack exactly what is holding firms back. We discuss how industry leaders are overcoming these hurdles through: 🔹 Meaningful innovation 🔹 Serious mindset shifts 🔹 Pure operational efficiency We also talk about why the 4th Annual Canadian Staffing Industry Summit in Toronto on April 16th, 2026, is the exact room you need to be in to connect with those leading the charge. Want the full breakdown on how to reboot your agency for 2026? Watch the episode here: https://lnkd.in/gAaeYY5D Thank you to Ascen for sponsoring the Talent Titans podcast. Ascen is an employer of record that helps staffing and recruitment agencies hire employees compliantly throughout the US and Canada. Ascen's all-in-one, white-label platform handles onboarding, timesheets, payroll, benefits, insurance, invoicing, and funding so you can grow quickly in the US and Canada without worrying about back office and paperwork. Contact Ascen to learn more.

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🗣️🗣️🗣️ Addressing Cultural Differences in the Canadian Employment Landscape Canada’s workforce is recognized globally for its diversity, inclusivity, and professional integrity. However, one of the persistent challenges within the employment segment remains the integration of internationally experienced professionals into the local job market. Many organizations continue to prioritize candidates with “Canadian experience.” While this approach ensures cultural alignment and regulatory familiarity, it can also inadvertently limit access to a highly skilled global talent pool. Professionals arriving from fast-paced economies such as the United States, the Middle East, and Asia often bring exceptional drive, operational efficiency, and cross-cultural leadership skills. Yet, these strengths are sometimes underutilized due to differences in workplace tempo, communication norms, and adaptation expectations. To address this, Canadian employers and HR leaders should consider a strategic approach to cultural integration, rather than exclusion. This includes: ✅ Structured onboarding and mentorship programs to help international professionals understand Canadian workplace culture and compliance expectations. ✅ Manager training to enhance cultural intelligence and reduce unconscious bias in recruitment and performance evaluation. ✅ Collaborative partnerships with staffing and workforce agencies to bridge the experience gap through project-based and transitional employment opportunities. Canada’s growth potential depends not only on talent availability but also on our collective ability to harness global experience for local success. As the employment landscape continues to evolve, embracing cultural diversity as a performance advantage — not just a policy — will be key to sustainable business growth and innovation. It’s time to move beyond the “local experience” mindset and create a workforce that truly reflects Canada’s global capability and leadership potential. 🇨🇦 Best regards , Jacob George Samuel VP – Sales & Business Development Express Employment Professionals, Surrey BC 📧 Jacob.Samuel@expresspros.com | 📞 672-472-7171

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Talent Spotlight Series: Connecting Top Tech Talent with Canadian Employers  We’re excited to launch our #TalentSpotlight Series, a recurring feature where we highlight exceptional international tech professionals actively seeking opportunities in Canada! Each spotlight will showcase a qualified, job-ready candidate in fields like:   Software Development   DevOps & Cloud Engineering   Data Science & AI   Cybersecurity These candidates are vetted, skilled, and eligible under programs like the Global Talent Stream (GTS), meaning employers can hire them fast with LMIA support and might be eligible for 2-week processing. Are you an employer looking for top-tier global talent?  OR Are you a skilled tech worker looking to boost your profile and connect with the right employer? Follow this series and reach out to explore collaboration. Let’s build bridges between great people and great opportunities! #TalentSpotlight #TalentSpotlightSeries #ImmigriaTalent #GlobalTechTalent #HireGlobalTalent #ImmigrationMadeEasy #WorkInCanada #InternationalWorkers #AI

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Facing challenges in attracting Generation Z talent? Canada's job market is shifting – traditional full-time, entry-level opportunities are dwindling and the gig economy is growing. Your Gen Z workforce, though a fifth of the talent pool, might be struggling. Let's discuss – are your recruitment strategies keeping up? Education and appropriate skill-building opportunities are crucial for sustainable careers but often overlooked. The question is, are you willing to redesign your workforce with fewer resources or embrace the gig economy phenomenon? The changing employment landscape requires us to rethink our approach. Gen Z's are proactive, eager to gain relevant skills, and build networks to enhance their marketability. Your company needs to meet them halfway. Are you ready to reassess your strategies? Reach out to Periscope Search Group – we’re here to help with fresh perspectives on recruitment strategies tailored to the evolving job market. Together, let's bridge the gap and build a future-ready workforce.

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In 2025, Ponder Recruiting is focused on helping Canadian companies bring in more than sixty highly skilled international workers so they can stabilize their teams and boost productivity. By connecting employers with pre‑screened talent from countries that have Free Trade Agreements with Canada, businesses can fill critical roles faster and grow with confidence. ​ Thanks to LMIA‑exempt options under Canada’s Free Trade Agreements, many employers can now hire qualified foreign workers without going through the traditional Labour Market Impact Assessment process. This streamlined pathway saves time and reduces administrative burden, while giving companies access to specialized skills that are hard to find locally. ​ Ponder Recruiting’s mission for 2026 is to continue delivering reliable, immigration‑ready candidates and to guide employers through every step of the LMIA‑exempt hiring process. From defining the right profile to managing documentation and compliance, Ponder is committed to being a long‑term partner in each company’s growth. ​ All Canadian businesses are encouraged to take full advantage of the opportunities created by these government policies and trade agreements. Ponder is here to help you understand which LMIA‑exempt categories apply to your roles and to match you with the right worker at the right time

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𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤. 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭. 💪 I have learned to be disciplined because I have learned what happens when I am not. Energy drops. Patience gets shorter. Focus disappears. The things I would normally handle with a clear head start start to feel heavier than they are. As a headhunter, wife, mom, and someone who wears multiple hats, working out and strength training are non-negotiable. I have learned that how I start my day shapes everything that comes after. How I show up for my clients. How I show up for my candidates. How I think through searches, interviews, offers, and the many moving parts that come with helping people make big career decisions. I learned in my early twenties that relying on caffeine is not the answer. There were seasons that felt harder than others. But through every setback, I learned something important. Health was never something I fit around work. Work had to fit around health. Strength training. Walks. Movement. Every single day. Non-negotiable. Not to look good. Not for social media. Because my body is the engine. If the engine is not running well, nothing else moves the way it should. That includes my mental health, my clarity, my patience, and my ability to keep growing through every season. I am better for my family when I take care of myself. I am better for my clients and candidates when I take care of myself. I make better decisions. I have more patience. I show up sharper, steadier, and more like myself. Some of my best conversations and clearest decisions have come after a workout that gave my mind a reset. Some of my worst came when I was running on empty and telling myself I was fine. Funny enough, the thing that can feel like it takes time away from the day is often the thing that makes the day work. If you are building something, leading at work, raising kids, or carrying a lot right now, your health is not extra. Your wellness matters. Your mental health matters. Your personal development matters. It is the foundation on which everything else sits. Protect it like your life depends on it. Because in many ways, it does. ✨𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘯-𝘯𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘶𝘱 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳? #MatchFable #MentalHealth #WellnessMatters #PersonalDevelopment #ProfessionalDevelopment

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Leaders! A quick reality check when choosing your staffing partners: Not every firm calling themselves a “local Canadian partner” actually is. Lately, we’ve seen a rise in U.S.-owned staffing firms branding themselves as “Canadian” to win business — despite having no real ownership in Canada. If supporting local truly matters, do your homework: Who owns the company? Where are the decisions being made? Who benefits when you sign the deal? In tech staffing, local isn’t just a buzzword — it means understanding our market, our talent, and our values. At Vision Talent, we’re proudly 100% Canadian-owned, rooted, and invested. We don’t just operate in Canada — we build here. Choose partners who actually live the story they’re selling. #TechStaffing #SupportLocal #CanadianOwned #VisionTalent #TalentPartners #ExecutiveSearch #LeadershipHiring #DueDiligence

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🌍 A powerful story of resilience and global impact. In this episode of the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, host Kripa Anand sits down with Laimina Methuselha and Charles Methuselha, Co Founders of Global Assist Inc., a 360 degree business solutions firm supporting SMEs across Canada. 🌟 Key Highlights: 👉Building a global enterprise during challenging times 👉Solving employment gaps with a people first remote model 👉 The future vision of Global Assist’s global expansion 🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/eZvbRpaK #CanadianSME #SmallBusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #GlobalAssist #StartupJourney #Innovation #SMEs #SuccessStory

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October jobs report, November commentary. Every founder and hiring leader I’ve spoken with lately has said the same thing — “we’re hiring again, but cautiously.” And that’s exactly what October’s job data shows. Tech openings across Ontario rose 12% in October, led by SaaS, AI, and HealthTech — but here’s the nuance: demand for senior hands-on talent (developers, DevOps, product engineers) far outpaces executive-level hiring right now. We’re also seeing hybrid roles fill faster than remote-only ones, a clear sign that companies are quietly bringing teams back together. One takeaway? Smaller, decisive companies are still winning the best talent by keeping their hiring process lean and fast. Elbows up,

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One theme that keeps surfacing in Canada's economic outlook is population growth and its growing impact on the labour market. Rapid population gains have helped support headline growth, but they're also expanding labour supply faster than demand in some sectors, which is changing the hiring dynamic on the ground. From a talent perspective, that change shows up in more competition for roles, longer hiring cycles, and greater pressure on employers to be clear about where skills actually add value. It also raises the bar for workforce planning, since growth on paper does not always translate to productivity gains without the right roles, training, and technology in place. The organizations that handle this well will be the ones that align hiring with real business outcomes and treat talent strategy as a long-term capability, not a short-term reaction. #CanadaEconomy #LabourMarket #TalentStrategy

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🇨🇦 Small Business Leaders: AI Adoption in Canada Has Stepped Into the Mainstream — Don’t Get Left Behind As we approach 2026, a major shift is happening across Canadian small and medium-sized businesses: AI is no longer a “nice-to-have” experiment — it’s becoming a core part of operations and customer engagement strategy. According to recent research from Microsoft’s 2025 Small and Medium-Sized Business Report, 71% of Canadian SMBs are now actively using AI to enhance efficiency, productivity, and customer interactions — and that number continues to grow.🔗 https://lnkd.in/ggCaRSQP Here’s what Canadian business leaders are experiencing: 📈 AI isn’t just pilot projects anymore: It’s embedded into everyday systems that streamline work and improve outcomes. ⏱️ Teams are saving time on repetitive tasks, from admin to customer support, allowing them to focus on strategic growth. 💡 AI adoption correlates with productivity gains: Those using AI report stronger performance and internal efficiency. 🚀 AI is embedded in customer engagement workflows, helping brands respond faster and more intelligently. This data tells a clear story: Canadian SMBs are turning AI curiosity into AI capability — and it’s paying off. ⸻ For service-oriented businesses — whether you run a med spa, clinic, wellness center, home services company, or another customer-centric business — this evolution is especially important. In a world where responsiveness and reliability matter, AI can become a strategic advantage rather than an optional add-on. That’s why at Rhule AI, we developed our Canadian-developed AI Receptionist — designed to help businesses: 📞 Answer incoming calls around the clock 🗓️ Automate scheduling and intake 💬 Provide consistent, accurate information ⚡ Free teams from repetitive support tasks so they can focus on client service When your customers get a fast, reliable response — no matter the hour — your business wins more bookings, builds stronger trust, and grows with momentum. ⸻ 🎯 Early-Access Waitlist — Open for 2026 If you want to start the new year with more capacity, better responsiveness, and fewer missed opportunities: 👉 Comment “RECEPTIONIST” or 👉 DM me — I’ll personally reserve your spot before public launch. Let’s make sure your business enters 2026 ahead of the curve — not playing catch-up. #AI #Automation #SmallBusiness #CanadianBusiness #CustomerExperience #BusinessGrowth #AIReceptionist #RhuleAI #LeadGeneration #2026Ready #SMBCanada #Innovation 🇨🇦

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