Businesses have never done as much hiring as they do today. Most business success or failure depends on these hirings. One of the most vital elements of a successful organization is the people which the organization hires. You need the right people in the right roles.

Recruitment is a hectic task for any organization. However, if you have effective recruiters, it significantly eliminates the employee turnover, making it easier for you to choose the just-right candidate who not only meets the work-related competencies but also complements the core values of your organization. For the process, it doesn’t matter if you have an in-house recruiter or you outsource. Recruiters help organizations grow faster and Career Connections Canada Inc. is one of the best at it.

Career Connections Canada Inc. is a boutique operation encompassing a very determined, knowledgeable and skilled team. The company’s services cover many industries and positions, from administration to C-level employees. They offer permanent, contract, and temporary recruitment solutions for their clients. Based on the individual needs of their clients, their solution incorporates a number of factors; some of which are industry, organizational fit and previous efforts put forth by the client.

The following excerpts are taken from a conversation with Zag Dutton, the Founder and President of Career Connections Canada Inc.

Q. What was the series of events that led to the founding of Career Connections Canada Inc.?

I started in the recruiting industry in 1985 for a major national firm. I was promoted quickly to a lead/supervisory role within the first year and then spearheaded the opening and running of a new location in Mississauga for the same firm, which led to expanding to a second new location in Oakville, and then I took over the day-to-day operations of another location in Etobicoke. All locations were in Ontario. By the time I was ready to move on, I had 3 full branches reporting to me (total 32 direct reports), with a business base offering hiring solutions in permanent (direct hire), contract, and temporary recruitment.

Q. How has Career Connections Canada Inc. grown since its inception? According to you, what were the most important factors that directly contributed to the company’s growth?

About three years after I founded the company, we moved from my basement to an office. We started out strictly offering permanent (direct hire) placement, and our clients who we had developed relationships with had other needs as well. Many people needed temporary services, so they asked if we could help them find temporary staff because they knew we provide good quality work.

I had 10 years of experience in temporary staff recruitment and placement, but it took me some time to agree to make the leap. Recruiting temporary staff is more demanding in several ways, so I needed to ensure that my team was prepared and equipped to handle it. I wanted to make sure they were all on board and fully aware of the new demands this would place on their plates. Temporary employees report to Career Connections Canada Inc. as their employer, while direct hires do not. We don't monitor their daily activities, but we handle their questions, concerns, and everyday inquiries about things like their payroll or work-related situations they need help with. Essentially, we go from recruiter to coach, and sometimes much more. By adding temporary recruitment to our services, we almost doubled our revenue, which also led to the growth of our company.

Above all, what has been instrumental in our growth is our commitment to service. We understand that we don't make a physical product, and we have been in business for almost 30 years because we focus on providing excellent service to our clients and candidates.

Q. What sets Career Connections Canada Inc. apart from other job sites and recruitment agencies? How does this difference benefit both employees and employers?

I believe it really comes down to ‘Service, Service, Service’ combined with mutual respect because, unlike other industries, we are literally dealing with people on both sides of our business equation.

Q. Could you provide information about how Career Connections Canada Inc. matches potential employers and employees?

We dedicate ample time to our clients whenever they have new requirements, whether they are temporary or permanent. This allows us to fully understand the role and its needs in order to provide the best outcome.

On the candidate side, we use the information we have from our client to screen for the specific skill set, and in addition to that, we spend time in an interview with the candidate to understand what they want to do and where they see themselves progressing to so that we can see if there is a meaningful crossover between what the client wants/needs and what the candidate needs/wants.

If the two are not aligned, then it likely will not be a successful match, and we would not have served either side. We do all we can to avoid any incompatibility, ensuring a mutually beneficial, long-lasting employment experience for both the candidate and our client.

Q. Can you share some client success stories?

I think our best success stories are really in the number of clients who have worked with us, and if they move to a different company or even an entirely different industry, they continue to work with us. Some of our client relationships are 20+ years of strong collaborative partnerships. We are their go-to, even if it is just to run ideas, challenges, etc. by us.

Q. How has your amazing team contributed to the success of Career Connections Canada Inc.?

The team recognizes that communication is crucial and understands the fast-paced nature of the industry. Their most valuable contribution is that they never display their frustration to external parties, regardless of the circumstances or changing priorities. Dealing with people on both sides of our business makes it harder to criticize a product, especially when it's intangible. Most people don't realize how difficult it is until they experience it themselves. Almost daily, I hear clients say, "I do not know how you do this," and truly, the team is very supportive of each other, and they are always willing to step in and help, which makes a huge difference.

Q. Would you like us to highlight something important happening in your company that we may have missed asking about?

Recently we have won two awards which is a testament to how hard the team works daily.

• Best Recruitment Firm 2024 – Ontario. Given by the Canadian Business Awards

• Titan Awards Winner – Recruitment

Meet the Founder and President

Zag Dutton is the Founder and President of Career Connections Canada Inc., Inc. Zag founded Career Connections Canada Inc. in 1995 after working for a large national firm for approximately 10 years. Career Connections initially offered only permanent recruitment services due to demand from their clients. In 1998, the company expanded its service offerings to include temporary placement. Since then, Career Connections Canada Inc. has grown to offer permanent and temporary recruitment services across Canada. Currently, Career Connections Canada Inc.serves primarily the pharmaceutical, manufacturing, and third-party logistics industries across Canada.

“Our team works diligently to bring you the best possible results in your recruitment or your search for a new opportunity.”