A post-pandemic job fair: $1,000 signing bonuses, but workers have their own priorities
If you’re looking for a job in Quebec, you’re in luck. You can probably work in almost any sector you choose, if you’re willing to get trained.
A job fair opened today at the Palais des Congrès and highlighted the pressing labour shortage in the province, and the lengths employers will go to to hire -- as well as workers' new priorities, with salary not at the top of the list.
Nine thousand positions were on offer by 200 companies, everything from building earth-friendly coffins in Victoriaville to working at a gym or a wireless company or a hotel.
Many employers were optimistic.
“We’re in fitness, and after the pandemic, I think everyone wants to work in the industry,” said Joseph Raad, who was at the fair representing World Gym.
But the reality is that a lot has changed in the last two years, and it’s still anyone's guess what trends will show up among workers, many of whom are returning to the job market after spending the pandemic away, whether at school, on benefits, taking care of family or some combination.
It isn’t only employers reconnecting in big numbers. Job-seekers also lined up, declaring themselves happy with the amount of choice and saying they wanted to be picky about a few things.
“I would like to have insurance,” said Darlene Clement, who has worked in the health sector and said she wants to return there. “Salary is important, but some kind of medical insurance.”
More white-collar jobs were also available, attracting high-level engineering grads.
Exhibitors did a survey, revealing that most candidates seem to be asking about work-life balance.
“The salary, the money, is not the first choice for choosing a company,” said Eric Boutie, the president of Événement Carrières.
“They would like to have a company with a good quality of life, opportunies, friends. Very different from the old generation.”
It was clear it was not the job market anyone was used to: employers offered $1,000 signing bonuses, cash incentives for referring friends, flexible hours and work-from-home arrangements.
The important thing these days is finding motivated people, explained Tania Sarkissian, a regional director for OSL customer service firm.
“We want people that are passionate, that love sales, that are motivated by obtaining targets and making money and serving customers and giving them a great experience,” she said.
The job fair continues in person on Friday and then, true to 2021, goes online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies at 87
Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries “Roots,” has died. He was 87.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Luxury cruise line selling world cruise suite for US$1.7 million
Luxury operator Regent Seven Seas Cruises is raising their price tag to eye-watering levels, with a suite on an upcoming 140-day world voyage costing US$1.7 million.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
A Filipino villager is nailed to a cross for the 35th time on Good Friday to pray for world peace
A Filipino villager has been nailed to a wooden cross for the 35th time to reenact Jesus Christ’s suffering in a brutal Good Friday tradition he said he would devote to pray for peace in Ukraine, Gaza and the disputed South China Sea.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.