Job seekers should prepare to meet with potential employers at least once during the hiring process, as 54% of Canadian hiring managers say they prefer to interview candidates face-to-face instead of through a screen or phone.  

 

However, the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are still evident as 8% of hiring managers only conduct interviews virtually, while another 37% use a combination of in-person and virtual. 

 

This is according to a recent survey from The Harris Poll commissioned by Express Employment Professionals. 

 

If an applicant shows up at a business unannounced to secure employment, a majority of employers describe the tactic positively, saying it shows motivation (47%), initiative (46%) and drive (39%).

 

Only 28% view this behaviour as negative with descriptions such as obsessive (12%), creepy (13%) or out-of-date (13%). 

 

“In-person interviews are extremely helpful for employers and for employees. It helps both parties have a better understanding of each other, expectations and ultimately if are they a good match for each other.” said James Norris, franchise owner of the London Express franchise office.

 

Technology was such a wonderful asset to keep the workforce connected during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Express Employment International CEO Bill Stoller. 

 

“However, returning to in-person interviews or a virtual component at the start of the hiring process allows employers to assess soft skills that are hard to capture virtually,” he said. “Looking at these survey results, it seems companies agree.”

 

 

The Job Insights survey was conducted online within Canada by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals between June 8 and June 22, 2023, among 510 Canadian hiring decision-makers (defined as adults ages 18+ in Canada who are employed full-time or self-employed, work at companies with more than one employee, and have full/significant involvement in hiring decisions at their company). Data were weighted where necessary by company size to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in our surveys. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within + 4.6 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest.

 

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At Express Employment Professionals, we’re in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing 579,000 people globally in 2022 and more than 10 million since its inception. For more information, visit ExpressPros.com/CA.

 

The London Express office is located at 300 Dundas St and serves the London and surrounding communities. Local businesses and applicants are encouraged to stop by, visit expresspros.com/london or call (519) 672-7620. 

  

William H. "Bill" Stoller is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment  

International. Founded in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the international staffing franchisor 

supports the Express Employment Professionals franchise and related brands. The Express franchise brand is an industry-leading, international staffing company with franchise locations in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.