Hiring managers across Canada are realizing more and more that attracting great job candidates takes a significant time and effort in today’s job market. The solution for organizations? Adding HR specialists to their teams to help with the recruiting process.HR specialists support recruiting, onboarding and talent management programs. In addition, they may take responsibility for employee engagement, create wellness initiatives, and develop training and team-building programs.Today’s workforce market outlook, from Toronto to Vancouver, places a heavy focus on people management, so it is essential to find skilled HR specialists that can help your company meet their business goals. So, what HR roles should you spotlight now in your hiring, and how do you attract top candidates? Here’s what you need to know:
Keep in mind that to attract strong candidates, it’s crucial to offer salary and benefits that are on par with industry trends happening here in Canada. Here are three common HR specialist roles, along with their responsibilities and the starting salaries you can expect to pay for each position.
HR assistant — These employees take on critical functions in the hiring process, including conducting internet research to identify potential candidates, scheduling interviews and interviewing applicants by phone. They also help HR directors and managers accomplish related tasks such as review resumes, help plan new employee orientation programs and maintain employee records. Check out the latest HR Salary Guide for the salary range for HR assistants.HR recruiting specialist/coordinator — Recruiting specialists manage the internal and external postings of open jobs, evaluate candidates to ensure they meet company hiring standards and prepare employment offers. They may also oversee applicant tracking, conduct recruitment analysis and facilitate other HR projects. See the salary range for HR recruiters here.HR benefits specialist/coordinator — These professionals oversee the enrollment and management of company benefits plans. They help register new employees, serve as the primary point of contact for benefits-related questions or concerns, and work directly with vendors to resolve any issues that may arise. See the salary range for HR benefits specialists here.Use our Salary Calculator to find out what HR specialists expect to earn in your city.
Determining the right time to bring in a HR specialist or professional depends on the needs, schedules and budget of your organization. Also, depending on your industry and the Canadian economy, you might find different types of expertise in demand. Here are just a few examples of when and where a HR specialist can benefit your company:High workloads — If the amount of work is increasing at your organization, new employees or project professionals may be required to handle the additional responsibilities. That’s a sign you’ll need a HR specialist to help with hiring, rolling out updated benefits packages or new employee programs, especially if you’re creating and staffing multiple roles.Slow staffing — If your leading candidates are getting snatched up by other companies before you can make an offer, you’ll want to bring on a HR specialist to help ensure you’re conducting interviews and extending offers in a timely manner.Benefits enrollment — Many organizations also need assistance with benefits enrollment, which an HR specialist can provide. GET HIRING HELP
Due to the competition for HR specialists in local cities across Canada, from small to big companies, strategy is key when staffing these positions. As you search, keep the following tips in mind: Be specific — Knowing how to write compelling job description can give you a springboard to identify candidates who match your specific requirements. Job descriptions should contain an overview of all the relevant skills and experience you’re seeking. Provide the role's broadest responsibility, function or priority within the company. Include an overview of expectations for the person who fills the HR role, the immediate and longer-term objectives, and define what constitutes outstanding performance. Be as clear as possible, so that the candidate understands the job’s responsibilities and the criteria for success.Get referrals — Friends, family members, professional contacts and existing staff are valuable resources when looking for accomplished HR specialists. You might even offer incentives, such as gift cards or bonuses, to employees who provide referrals leading to promising new hires.Look for balanced skill sets — Along with HR expertise, a HR specialist should have outstanding soft skills. Particularly valuable today are collaborative abilities and an aptitude for problem solving. Also essential are strong communication skills and discretion, including a capacity to work well with others and clearly explain HR matters that can be confusing to employees, such as benefit elections.Keep an eye toward the future — Transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence and automation are reshaping HR as they change processes and take over routine responsibilities like scanning resumes and data entry. You’ll need HR specialists who are tech savvy and adaptable to help you in this age of digital transformation.Don’t wait for a unicorn — Keep in mind that the perfect candidate probably doesn’t exist. Spending time looking for someone who ticks every box could cause you to miss out on a wealth of talented individuals who would shine with your company. Instead, be open to providing on-the-job training to develop additional skills required for the role. Hire for potential and train for the job.Make your offer quickly — If you drag out your hiring process, you will likely lose skilled HR specialists to your competition. Once you’ve pinpointed the candidate you want to hire, make an offer. At the very least, stay in close contact with promising applicants throughout the process to keep them interested in the position.One of the easiest and most effective ways to find HR specialists is to work with a staffing firm. Talent solution professionals have the experience and connections to help you locate skilled HR professionals quickly.Need help with finding the right talent? Connect with a Robert Half Canada talent solutions professional today.
