Welcome to the MSG Blog.
At MacDonald Search Group, we thrive on creating positive, beneficial connections for our clients and job-seekers.
Our team members are among the best in the biz at what they do. Each one has years of industry insights to share. Here are some practical tips and best practices to help you connect more effectively with exceptional candidates and great companies.
Check back periodically for the latest and greatest.
Posted on October 10, 2024
by Jaime Burke If you’ve ever been in the position of a hiring manager or recruiter, I’m sure you will agree that when you’re in the presence of an all-star candidate, you know right away. Beyond…
Posted on October 10, 2024
By Michael "Woody" Sherwood I think I have seen it all; after 17 years of recruiting, I am “The Old Guy,” working with a fantastic team At MacDonald Search Group. The pace of change in recruiting…
Posted on October 08, 2024
by Wade Simmons I've been on both sides of the interview table more times than I can count over the years. Early on, I was the one getting interviewed, but now I’m usually the one asking the…
Posted on October 08, 2024
By James Palmer Building a successful, world-class company is like assembling a complex puzzle. Of course, you need the right product or service, creative marketing, and competitive pricing. But…
Posted on May 22, 2024
by Jesse Zulak Recently, an alarming increase in text-based job scams has been observed, preying on job seekers with promises of high-salary, low-commitment roles. These scams exploit the current…
Posted on May 22, 2024
by Bruce MacDonald In the dynamic landscape of Canada's job market, staying informed is paramount for job seekers and employers alike. At MacDonald Search Group, we’ve observed significant shifts in…
Posted on April 19, 2024
Download your copy here: Resume Creation Guide by MacDonald Search Group
Posted on April 16, 2024
By Paul Melanson In the high-stakes game of job interviews, every move counts. We all know the drill: research the company, dress to impress, and have your success stories polished and ready to roll…
Posted on April 11, 2024
By Paul Cannon Why are salary discussions and offer negotiations becoming so complicated? Many factors are causing this but here are a few important things to consider. The Impact of New…
Posted on March 12, 2024
7 Tips on Navigating Canada’s Job Market Embarking on a job search journey can feel like navigating uncharted waters. But fear not, for we're here to equip you with invaluable advice and actionable…
Posted on February 26, 2024
Download the PDF file here: BCFBA Retention Ideas
Posted on February 13, 2024
Download your copy here: MSG Example List of Behavioral Interview Questions
Posted on February 12, 2024
Key Traits Employers Seek in Today's Workforce
Posted on January 16, 2024
By: Dana Lamanna Have you noticed that digital tools like AI, Zoom video calls, and other digital tools have replaced essential communications and job functions in many organizations? While some of…
Posted on January 16, 2024
By Stuart Gannon Working with a good recruiter comes with a host of benefits, access to their extensive candidate networks, the latest technology, market insights, and speed. It also doesn’t divert…
Posted on January 16, 2024
by Trevor Baker 2023 marked significant changes in the Canadian human resources landscape when it comes to pay transparency, as well as requirements for salary disclosures and recruitment firm…
Posted on January 16, 2024
By Oliver Kuehm At MacDonald Search Group, our executive recruiters view the success of our client's attraction and retention initiatives as one combined measure of company success. For example,…
Posted on January 16, 2024
by Trevor Baker Protect Yourself in Your Job Search Job hunting can be tricky, and sometimes, shady characters and questionable job postings add an extra layer of complexity. In fact the Government…
Posted on January 15, 2024
by Mina Bacungan In today's competitive job market, recruiters rely on filters to identify the right candidates. Your LinkedIn profile isn't just a static resume; it's your dynamic introduction to…
Posted on December 14, 2023
MacDonald Search Group's newest member, Ryan Lee, reflects on the candidate journey with a useful info graphic on the best way to unlock your career potential! If you are a supply chain professional…
Posted on October 27, 2023
Let’s warmly welcome one of our newest team members, Ryan Lee! He joins the Vancouver recruitment team with an extensive supply chain and logistics background. Ryan was born and raised in Vancouver…
Posted on October 27, 2023
Featuring insights by Jesse Zulak How easy is your application and interview process? If you’re making it more difficult than it needs to be, you may be missing out on qualified candidates for your…
Posted on October 27, 2023
By Anna Lisa Farina It’s direct but true! Whether you’re actively looking for a job or not, you NEED a LinkedIn profile and should be reasonably active on it. Why? Because without a well-populated…
Posted on May 25, 2023
By Mike Carter Most people no longer stay at the same company or career for their entire life. It’s more common than ever to switch companies or career paths after a few years until you find the…
Posted on May 25, 2023
By Michael van Olm In our changing job market, your skills and experience will be paramount to your ability for promotions or standing out from the crowd when searching for new jobs. Do you have the…
Posted on May 25, 2023
By Eric Floyd Earlier this month, the World Health Organization officially announced that COVID-19 was no longer a global health emergency. For office workers, this may mean more mandated “return to…
Posted on September 30, 2022
Mike Carter is one of the most recent additions to the MacDonald Search Group Team in our Toronto office. His first introduction to MSG was as a candidate who our very own Paul Cannon placed in a B2B…
Posted on September 30, 2022
By Dana LamannaIs this your first time working with a recruiter? Do you have questions about the process? Working with a head hunter/recruiter has many benefits over applying for the job directly.…
Posted on September 30, 2022
If you’ve been looking for a career in food service in Toronto, you may have worked with Michael Sherwood, or as we know him: “Woody.” Woody joined the MSG team in December 2020 and specializes in…
Posted on September 30, 2022
By: Wade SimmonsThe job market hasn’t been the same in recent years. 2022 is seeing a rebound, but how employers find and hire candidates is changing. Here are a few trends we’re noticing in the…
Posted on April 11, 2022
James has been a recruitment specialist at MSG for six years after a long career in B2B operations for manufacturing companies. He has got a history in sales and was the Vice President of Sales and …
Posted on April 11, 2022
By: Sean BakerTalent markets are becoming increasingly more competitive, and the window of opportunity for finding the right candidate continues to get shorter. This medley of challenges has led many…
Posted on April 11, 2022
By: Paul CannonResumes are often the first time a prospective employer will “meet” you. Put forth your best effort by ensuring your resume has everything they’re looking for. Today, I’m sharing my…
Posted on November 05, 2021
By: Paul MelansonThere are many parts to a successful job interview. One of them is that you are doing more talking than the interviewer. But, if you want to do most of the talking, you need to be…
Posted on November 02, 2021
We’re honoured to welcome our newest associate, Dana Lammana, to the MacDonald Search Group family in our new Toronto office. Dana is a seasoned recruiter bringing extensive recruiting experience…
Posted on October 15, 2021
Wade Simmons joined MacDonald Search Group after 14 years in the supply chain industry. When we asked him to join MSG as a recruiter for that industry, he knew his deep knowledge of supply chain…
Posted on October 15, 2021
By: Stuart GannonAs part of our focus on Diversity and Inclusion at MacDonald Search Group, I recently watched a TED Talk on Unconscious Bias by Gail Tolstoi-Miller. She told the story of a client…
Posted on May 17, 2021
Meet one of the newest members of our team! Paul Melanson has been recruiting in Atlantic Canada for the last 13 years and joined the MSG group about 5 months ago. His previous sales and business…
Posted on May 17, 2021
We’re excited to welcome Michael Sherwood (aka “Woody”) to our team in Toronto. He studied Hotel and Restaurant Management and is a resident foodie of the team. He spent many years in the food…
Posted on May 17, 2021
Sean Baker may be one of the most passionate and animated people you will ever talk to (at least, that’s what his friends say)! Growing up he was often the Master of Ceremonies for school pageants,…
Posted on May 17, 2021
By Jaime Burke Are paper resumes dead? Maybe when you have a site like LinkedIn that is like a digital resume. Like a paper resume, a well-done LinkedIn profile will better catch the eye of…
Posted on May 17, 2021
By Michael Van OlmDo you remember the first time you met a now-longtime friend? Think about when you first went to their home for dinner and how polite you were ringing the doorbell, taking off your…
Posted on October 27, 2020
MacDonald Search Group is excited to welcome PAUL CANNON as our Managing Director of Ontario, Quebec & Atlantic Canada. In addition to overseeing the growth of our national presence, Paul will…
Posted on October 27, 2020
By James PalmerBy mid-March, MacDonald Search group was well on its way to a record month. By the end of March, it felt like we ran over a cliff.That’s likely no surprise to most, as the impact of…
Posted on October 27, 2020
By Eric FloydFor many, 2020 has been one of the most challenging years on record. Both personally and professionally, we have – at the very least – all faced massive uncertainty and change. While we…
Posted on July 01, 2020
MacDonald Search Group’s commitment to making an impact for clients and candidates is evidenced in part by the degree our team stays informed of industry trends. Each of our consultants is a leader…
Posted on July 01, 2020
Since the beginning of 2020, the world of work has measurably changed. Wide sweeping layoffs makes for lots of talented professionals without secure employment. Many more have observed the way their…
Posted on July 01, 2020
MacDonald Search Group (MSG) is thrilled to welcome STUART GANNON as the newest member of our Calgary office. Stuart is joining the Prairies team, leading our Consumer Products, Beverage Alcohol,…
Posted on July 01, 2020
Michael Van Olm is an experienced business development executive and leader. He’s worked for a number of global companies, spanning multiple industries, located all across Canada. His breadth of…
Posted on March 16, 2020
MacDonald Search Group remains open for business. We have the technology and tools to continue searching for you from remote locations. As you know, one of the key deliverables at MacDonald Search…
Posted on January 17, 2020
There’s a lot of information available on how to be successful in job interviews. While some of this information is useful, some may be detrimental. Wade Simmons, Senior Consultant with Macdonald…
Posted on January 17, 2020
For the last decade, unemployment rates in Canada have been plummeting. It’s a trend that’s great for our economy, but one that results in a highly competitive market for quality talent. Employers…
Posted on August 23, 2019
We are pleased to announce that SEAN BAKER has joined MacDonald Search Group in our Calgary office. Sean will be leading our Manufacturing, Operations and Supply Chain practice covering Alberta,…
Posted on August 23, 2019
Beverage Alcohol Expert with a Splash of Zen. Strapping on sneakers in her Olympic Village condo in preparation to run the False Creek seawall, the newest addition to the MacDonald Search Group…
Posted on August 23, 2019
Hiring a new person shouldn’t be an onerous interruption to your schedule. A well-planned process can be a joyous celebration of corporate growth and respite from the rapidly spreading brush fire you…
Posted on August 22, 2019
The initial phone screening went great and now you’ve been invited to a second interview. You…are…on…a…roll! Nailing this to get a third (and often final) interview takes work. The hiring manager…
Posted on June 02, 2019
After a record setting year of business in 2018, the team at MacDonald Search Group descended on the Okanagan Valley for a combined incentive and annual meeting. The highlight was a full day of food…
Posted on March 06, 2019
In a little over a decade, social media has dramatically changed our lives. While some people in the employment pool have grown up with it, others are less versed on the intricacies of the…
Posted on March 06, 2019
You want to fill a position and, ideally, you would like the best possible candidate as soon as possible. But what’s a reasonable timeline to expect for finding and hiring a qualified candidate?…
Posted on November 24, 2017
Successful interviews aren't just about having the right answers. They are about asking the right questions. As an interviewer, being asked good questions keeps me energized, engaged and interested…
Posted on September 27, 2017
Three Traits Recruiters Find Most Desirable In Face-to-Face Job InterviewsRecruiters and hiring managers have always considered conversational skills an important trait in new hires, but a new survey…
Posted on June 15, 2017
With almost 20 years or recruiting and countless interviews, I have definitely seen my share of resumes. Some great and some not so great. I am often asked, “what makes a great resume?”. You would…
Posted on June 15, 2017
Healthy work culture is one of the most stressed aspects of building a great team in today’s scenario. In the words of Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos.com, “If you get the culture right, most of the other…
Posted on June 14, 2017
Want a new employee to truly hit the ground running? Say these four things. You work hard to find, interview, and hire the right employees. They have great skills, great experience, and great…
Posted on June 02, 2017
The answer to "How can I learn about a company's culture?" is "You can ask them about it." You can ask your prospective hiring manager almost anything, but most job-seekers don't dare! We say we…
