Matrix Search Group

Ask the Experts! – Career Q & A

matrixsearch — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 21:31:40 +0000

Have a question? We have the answer! E-mail: info@careersplusmatrix.com

Q: For the last 3 months I have been actively seeking new employment. I have been on several interviews, and I haven’t landed a job yet. Can you tell me what’s wrong with my résumé and how I could improve it?

A: It is not your resume that needs improvement but the interview process that needs to be improved. Your resume served as the introducer that allowed you in the door. Now that you have been invited through many doors, the focus now shifts to what is happening while you are in the room. Interviews are focused on the possible merger of the two minds (the interviewer and the interviewee).

A number of variables can cause an interview to go sour: appearance, attitude, and scope of answers. I would recommend that you prepare more diligently for the interview. Research, is the first step. Prepare your answers based on your skills that best suit the position you are applying for. Highlight your skills with substantial examples that relate to your work experience. Dress professionally, and speak clearly with confidence.

Employers are seeking candidates who are achievers and who are able to speak clearly and professionally. There are several career counsellors who are able to guide you in this
process. Check your local college or university campus for guidance. Also, recruiters who are specialists in your employment sector will be able to properly guide you.

Q: I have been employed with a new position for the last four months. I am not happy and frustrated with the lack of professionalism that is displayed by the management team. I have tried to address my concerns with my direct manager but she seems to dismiss my thoughts. I am actively seeking a new opportunity and I want to resign immediately. What would be the best course of action for me?

A: It is unfortunate that your current situation is not positive and it seems to frustrate you.
Quitting is not the best solution. It seems you have tried to address your concerns with management but your concerns are falling on deaf ears. I would strongly advise that you
seek a new opportunity after doing your due diligence. This means asking the right questions such as management’s style, why the position is available and what the required skills are. Despite being employed for less than four months with your current employer, it is highly recommended that you provide at least 2 weeks notice before you resign. The important key is to remain professional, as the corporate world is small and employers speak to each other. You do not want to tarnish your professional name.

Q: For the last five years, I have been employed with the same company. I believe I have reached the glass ceiling with my current employer and I would like to commence my search for a new position. What would you recommend as the best strategy for me and how would I get a reference from my current employer?

A: Firstly, the best step is to contact a Recruiter who is a specialist in your area. Strategize with the recruiter and design a plan that will enable you for a more focused search. Generally, references are not required until the offer stage. Employers respect the privacy
of a potential candidate and will not jeopardize anyone’s career. If required, speak with a former manager that you reported to and ask him/her to provide a reference for you. Also,
I would definitely recommend that you keep any and all accolades that you have received in the past that you are able to provide to your recruiter and potential new employer.
Q: Eight months ago I was heavily pursued by several recruiters on many occasions all having claimed that I was an ideal candidate for an available position. After initial reluctance, I decided to submit my resume and meet with a few recruiters. However, to date, I have not heard anything regarding the status of my application and the agencies have not returned any of my calls or e-mails. How do you advise I deal with the situation?

A: It is unfortunate that many recruiters and headhunters mislead candidates with opportunities. The lack of professionalism displayed by recruiters has increased over the last few years. Despite this, there are significant amount of recruiters that do care and are sincere in their efforts. To address your concern, I would contact the recruiters who have ignored your application and ask for another meeting with him or her. Be open that you are confused with the process and would like some clarity on your application. If this outreach does not lead you to any answers, take it a step further and speak to the Recruitment Agency’s manager or owner. Write a letter outlining your frustrations and lack of service that you received. Many company owners are kept in the dark as well about their staff and the lack of professionalism displayed to candidates. Reputation is the key and Recruitment Agencies need positive feedback to be successful from clients and candidates.

Meet Our Matrix Star Client – Timbercreek Asset Management!

matrixsearch — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 23:37:05 +0000

Director of HR, Elizabeth Tulloch; VP of Finance, David Melo and Controller, Shelly Lee.

Meet Timbercreek

Building a business relationship requires a solid foundation with trust, integrity and responsibility. At Matrix we value our clients and recognize that any true partnership is a two-way street. Genuine efforts do not go unnoticed, and mutual respect is vital. Matrix’s long-time client, Timbercreek Asset Management shares these same sentiments; and this is why Matrix has chosen the company as our Matrix Star Client this month!

Our History with Timbercreek

Timbercreek Asset Management is a specialized investment management firm in Toronto, and has been in business since 1999. Matrix Search Group and Timbercreek formed a relationship six years ago when Matrix established a connection with Timbercreek’s VP of Finance, David Melo. Since that time, Timbercreek has been dealing exclusively with Matrix to seek out top talent for their company.

We spoke with Timbercreek’s Director of Human Resources, Elizabeth Tulloch, and Controller, Shelly Lee, to discuss the past, present and future of Timbercreek, and the role Matrix has played in its growth over the years.

Q: How did Timbercreek start out, and how has it grown?

TULLOCH: “Timbercreek began its business in real estate through purchasing multi-residential apartment buildings. Timbercreek’s assets and personnel are located across Canada, and are currently organized into eight regions, (Halifax, Windsor, London, GTA, Ottawa, Montreal, Winnipeg and Calgary). Timbercreek was ranked by PROFIT 200 as Canada’s 10th fastest growing company in Canada in 2011. Today Timbercreek manages approximately $2-billion in assets through its nine private and public funds invested in direct real estate (primarily multi-residential), mortgage debt and real estate securities.”

Q: What do you foresee in the near future for Timbercreek?

TULLOCH: “The future of Timbercreek looks promising. Approximately two years down the line we expect to see continued growth. We plan to be speaking more on various multi-residential assets and on growing our Mortgage and Real Estate Securities platforms.”

Q: With all this growth potential, Timbercreek has needed the talent to help the company flourish. How has your relationship with Matrix Search Group affected the success of your company?

LEE: “Over the past six years Matrix Search Group has been a catalyst for Timbercreek’s growth by providing talented candidates. Timbercreek and Matrix have built a strong foundation together. We’ve been very satisfied with the service Matrix has provided and the level of talent we have received. Matrix understands that our company is growing rapidly and that we are constantly hiring. Chandran and his team are quick and efficient in meeting our recruitment requirements. We never need to explain our needs and objectives with Matrix. They have a clear understanding and always deliver; which is why we deal with Matrix exclusively.”

Q: Can you describe your relationship with Matrix’s Talent Acquisitionists?

LEE: “Alicia and Micheline have been very helpful and effective throughout the recruitment process. They understand exactly which candidates would be the right fit for us and they understand our culture and know our business objectives. Because they are specialists in Real
Estate, they are very knowledgeable about hiring trends. If we ever have any questions regarding the job market, we call Matrix without hesitation.”

Q: Can you describe a time when Matrix has helped find Timbercreek a star candidate?

LEE: “Matrix was there for us during quite a dilemma. When our Accounts Payable Supervisor resigned unexpectedly, we needed a new AP Manager immediately. When we spoke with Chandran Fernando, he had someone in mind that he felt was a great fit for the position. Long story short, Chandran’s candidate was perfect for the role and we are very happy with our new Manager. It was an exceptionally quick process, and we were very impressed with how professional and efficient Chandran was in meeting our needs.”

Q: What kind of candidates is Timbercreek currently looking for?

TULLOCH: “They have to have both technical skills and a well-rounded personality. It is not enough to be knowledgeable in the field; you have to be able to communicate effectively and set yourself apart from the candidate pool. LEE: Soft-scale, it is all about the fit and how you will function with the team, and hard-scale it is really about your accounting skills.”

Our Matrix Star Client Timbercreek Asset Management is proud to have Matrix Search on their side, shouldn’t you be too? For more information please visit our website – we would love to hear from you!

Meet Our Matrix Star Candidate – Winnie Lau!

matrixsearch — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 23:27:21 +0000

Meet Winnie

Why should Matrix be on your side? It is simple – your success is our success. We pride ourselves on finding the best candidates and delivering top talent. Success speaks for
itself, and this is why every month we will be featuring a Matrix Star Candidate, and showcasing their talent and journey with Matrix!

Matrix is proud to introduce you to this month’s Matrix Star Candidate – Winnie Lau! Winnie is a seasoned accounting professional with over ten years’ experience in the real estate and property management industry. Winnie completed her CGA designation in 2007, after she attained a Business Administration degree from York University. Since then, this enthusiastic self-starter and team player has had a solid career in Property Management. Some of her accomplishments include supervising three direct reports, and helping facilitate improvements which enhanced accounting processes and auditing standards.

Winnie connected with Matrix in December 2010, when a friend took advantage of Matrix’s Referral Program. After Winnie was referred, she received a call from Talent Acquisitionist, Micheline Bentley and the rest was history. Micheline first informed Winnie about career
opportunities, and due to the sensitivity and urgency of the new opportunity, Micheline met with Winnie outside of the standard working hours. This enabled the quick turnaround of representing Winnie as a qualified candidate for an opportunity. Although the first opportunity presented to Winnie was not successful, Micheline kept abreast and contacted Winnie with feedback, and continued to be the eyes and ears for Winnie’s career growth. Within the next eight months Matrix was both successful and integral in the success of Winnie’s next career move as an Accounting Manager with one of Canada’s leading Real Estate Firms.

In the fall of 2011, a client was having difficulty with the location of a qualified Accounting Manager after five months of unsuccessful consultation with various search firms. The company then contacted Matrix for their expertise. The quick turnaround period and delivery of a Matrix Star demonstrated by Matrix was outstanding, and the client was beyond pleased with Matrix’s success. The Matrix Star, being Winnie Lau, is now fully employed and enjoying her new career challenge with Matrix’s client.

When Winnie was asked why she chose Matrix over other recruitment firms, Winnie felt that Matrix had a “unique approach to recruitment, much different than my previous
experiences with other agencies.” She explained that, “Most recruitment firms are not as concerned with preparing the candidate, and following-up consistently-it is about the job and not about the candidates’ needs. Matrix was unique in this area, they cared for my career. They are knowledgeable in the industry too.”

In regards to her experience with Micheline, Winnie admits that, “Micheline was extremely enthusiastic towards assisting me in my career search. Unlike other recruiters, she always put forth a genuine effort to follow-up and obliged to meet me outside business hours, which I really appreciated. She knew I was anxious and made me feel very comfortable throughout the entire recruitment process by prepping me thoroughly before interviews. She is a great coach and talent specialist.”

Winnie expressed wholeheartedly that she was very satisfied with the service Matrix provided, and would refer others without hesitation. “The service was exceptional.
Micheline always encouraged me and genuinely cared about how I was feeling. I also appreciated that she would give me interview pointers, and tips on how to write a thank you letter. We built a great relationship.”

Matrix was on Winnie’s side. Shouldn’t we be on your side too? Matrix has had an outstanding track record in 2011, successfully placing over 75 candidates in permanent positions. In 2012 Matrix has placed seven people for the month of January and has an active career board of 15 permanent positions for February! Don’t miss out on opportunities from Matrix – become part of our roster – and become a Matrix Star, like Winnie! Contact us today.

“Unlock the Key to Your Success”

matrixsearch — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:05:25 +0000

“Unlock the Key to Your Success”

Careers+ Matrix, a partner of talent acquisition firm Matrix Search Group, is launching a professional development platform this January, 2012, that will offer various workshops to equip career seekers with the essential skills required for today’s marketplace.

Matrix sat down with the Director of Careers+ Matrix, Alicia Sarran, to understand how these workshops will operate and what benefits they provide both recent grads and established professionals alike.

Who are your workshops accessible to, and how will they operate?

“Anyone can register for a workshop online and choose their preferred time and date. The workshops are approximately one hour in length and are intimate in size consisting of about six people per session. It’s important to really speak to everyone one-on-one”

Why did you decide to create these workshops? What is the current need for this development platform?

“We are affiliated with Matrix Search Group and with this ongoing relationship we have established a solid connection to Corporate Canada. This is integral to be a part of because it allows Careers+ to access intimate details on how the core function of Corporate Canada operates in the recruitment of Canadian Talent. With this
knowledge, Careers+ strongly believes that this information needs to be facilitated for career seekers who are focused on their professional development. The design and delivery of these workshops will further enhance a career seeker’s drive and catapult them to the front of the line, successfully. Also, there is a shortage of hidden talent for Corporate Canada. Careers+ is determined to empower career professionals, recent graduates and newcomers with sufficient knowledge so that they will be 100% successful on their career search!”

What is unique about these workshops? What do you offer to career seekers?

“Whether you’re a student, recent grad, or an established professional, finding a job is always a full-time job in itself. And if you’re not doing it right there’s even more inefficiencies in search techniques, which results in compromising. Careers+ Matrix represents a new class of training. We focus on connecting big ideas and translating that information into steps career seekers can take. These workshops are personal and offer their own unique networking experience. Our delivery style is hands on with worksheets, games and conversation and we are able to intimately facilitate a personal touch with a professional learning experience.”

Lastly, what expertise does Careers+ Matrix bring to the table? Why should career seekers put their faith in you?

“Our recruitment experience. We know the ins and outs of Corporate Canada; we are the pulse to Canadian corporations. We have years of experience in professional recruitment and are responsible for executive-level hiring decisions. We know the key players and what it takes to market you effectively. Now we just need to teach you that!”

Alicia Sarran, Director, Careers+ Matrix