Our first blog of 2022 features a Q&A with Kristyn Oleskewycz, Partner at Recruit Action. We invite you to read Kristyn’s takeaways from her key successes in 2021, as well as the challenges she overcame. She also shares her Recruit Action team’s ambitions for the new year.

The past few years have been marked by uncertainty and unpredictability. What was the main lesson you learned from 2021?

Kristyn:

My takeaway from 2021 was to make mental health a priority. Having a strong support system and taking time for self-care are essential. Staying physically healthy and exercising is a critical component of mental health. I was so glad we kept our group workouts going with our entire team at Recruit Action—it helped boost team morale, even while we were working remotely.

Recruit Action experienced significant change and growth in 2021. What do you think was Recruit Action’s greatest accomplishment over the past year?

Kristyn:

Our greatest accomplishment has certainly been our teamwork and our ability to move forward despite the uncertainty. We met our targets and still achieved excellent results. I’m also grateful to be part of an industry that remains in high demand during times of crisis. So many sectors have been hit hard and are still trying to return to their pre-pandemic productivity levels. Our sector has been relatively unscathed compared to others, and I think we should recognize how fortunate we are.

Recruit Action emphasizes a self-managed organizational approach. How would you define this approach, and why is it essential for your company?

Kristyn:

A self-managed approach is one that values ​​autonomy. No one is looking over your shoulder or micromanaging you. Instead, you manage your own time to ensure you achieve your goals. We rely on a strong understanding of the individual, their strengths, and what they could improve on. I believe our team succeeds because we are hardworking. We have the ambition to be better than we were yesterday, both personally and professionally.

The importance placed on human relationships is certainly one of the essential characteristics of the corporate culture conveyed by Recruit Action. Please explain why Recruit Action places so much importance on establishing and maintaining strong human relationships, whether with its team, candidates, or companies.

Kristyn:

From the very beginning, Recruit Action has thrived on one key factor: people. Whether it’s the candidates, the team, or our clients, maintaining healthy relationships with them is what truly matters to us. Each of them is considered an essential element of our shared success.

What are the three ways Recruit Action uses to cultivate healthy relationships within its team and with its customers?

Kristyn:

We encourage open and honest communication, and welcome feedback from our partners. We want our team to tell us about the difficulties they have encountered. We want to do better, and we can’t do that without the open, honest communication we encourage, both with our customers and with our team.

We’re making mental health a priority. We strive to maintain a strong team spirit, even if we don’t see each other every day. So, we’re finding creative ways to connect on a personal level, despite the challenges.

We make sure we provide our customers with valuable information on the job market. We listen to their needs, modify our approach where necessary, and maintain a healthy relationship with them at all times.

You recently introduced a new logo, website and newsletter. What were your motivations in making these changes, and what would you like your customers to learn about the new image and publication?

Kristyn:

We want our customers and candidates to know that we are constantly evolving. We made these changes because we wanted our website to be welcoming, user-friendly and useful to our customers.

People and companies alike often make resolutions before starting a new year. What are Recruit Action’s goals for 2022?

Kristyn:

Our goal for 2022 is to be better than we were in 2021. We are focusing on technological evolution, to be more efficient and available, in order to meet our customers’ needs. We are also developing and extending our service offering to customers worldwide.

What do you see as the greatest challenges facing your company in 2022?

Kristyn:

Since the arrival of the pandemic, the market has changed. As a result, it is more difficult to find candidates for our customers in this climate of uncertainty. If necessary, we will have to readjust our strategy to achieve our objectives for the coming year.

In recent years, the world of recruitment has undergone many changes, which have had an impact on both companies and candidates. What advice would you give to candidates looking for a job, and to companies looking for staff?

Kristyn:

The job market currently favors candidates. My advice to candidates would be to take the time to look for the career opportunity that suits them best. Define what you’re looking for before you start. And be aware that many large companies would like to have you on their team!

However, the market is more demanding of companies looking for candidates. So you need to be prepared to change your strategy and be creative in your search. Of course, there will always be excellent candidates, but you’ll have to adapt, because the job market isn’t what it used to be.