The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat!   Archway Search Consultants had an epic day on the links for the 5^th Annual Archway Cup.  With the temperature in the mid 20’s and not a cloud in the sky, the stage was set for Team Stiles to take on the G-men/Woman
at Avon Valley.

The G-men/Woman team were looking sharp in team black.  Veterans Jamie Grant and Ed Grant along with team newbie’s Paul Ryan and Brooke Ireland were ready to own the course.    Coming off a win from last year’s cup, Team Stiles was lead by the sassy styling’s of Mark Stiles, who was backed by his trusted team of The Logan Wall experience and C&C Music Factories, Chris
MacLean & Christine Eisenhauer.  Team Stiles was focused on maintaining their title!  With fearless leader Jim and veteran Archway Cup winner Stephen sidelined for this year’s cup, both teams had to step it up!

The G-men/Woman got off to a strong start, but high winds soon gave the heavy hitters some serious trouble.  Team Stiles seemed to hit their stride early and managed to carry it with them throughout the game.  Both teams battled hard for the bragging rights, but in the end only one team could have their arms raised in victory.

After many great shots, some forgettable shots and a ton of laughs and fun, Team Stiles came out on top and took the cup
for the fifth year in a row.  It was an extremely tough defeat for the G-men/Woman who were longing to finally get a
taste of victory.  Team Stiles remain the Archway Cup champions and retain bragging rights for the year until they all meet again on the links for the 6^th Annual Archway Cup!

Paul joins the Archway team with over fifteen years of experience predominantly in financial services and most recently within the social media software sector. He has had the opportunity to work with and earn the trust of organizations of all sizes and stages of maturity, locally and globally, and across all industry verticals.

Paul’s ability to understand how functional groups interact within a company, allow him to advise organizations on how their resources can be optimized and aligned with their overall corporate objectives.  He values the challenge of earning a place on a client’s advisory team and introducing management to important partners from his extensive network. Like the rest of the Archway team, he is passionate about building solid relationships with customers and helping them to guide effective business strategies.

Away from the office, Paul enjoys time with his wife and four dogs, hockey, style and fashion, and blogging about music.

Connect with Paul on LinkedIn today!

In its fifth year, the Festival is hosted by the students and staff of the NBCC to celebrate the Atlantic Coast’s gathering of professionals for Animation and Gaming.  Luckily for the festival, the weather in the Miramichi was sunny and warm.  A winning combination!

Students graduating from NBCC Miramichi’s diploma programs in Animation and Game Design were eager to meet industry professionals and the opportunity to showcase their hard work over their two year program.  After visiting with the students in the showcase, guests could attend a variety of industry related seminars.  With topics like, “State of the Game Industry” and “The Gender Gap in Animation and Gaming”, the speakers discussed what it takes to survive and even thrive in the gaming and animation industry.

To put great finishing touches on a successful day, organizers of the event hosted guests of the festival at Choo Choo’s in downtown Chatham.   Guests were treated to a huge lobster supper, a sunset boat cruise, great live music and lots of networking.  Later in the evening, guests of the networking dinner were invited to join the students at Dooly’s for more celebration and networking. 

We want to extend congrats and a job well done to everyone involved in the festival. The team at Archway look forward to the  6^th Annual Jalloo Festival.  Congrats to all of the graduates of the Gaming and Animation programs at the NBCC!

Of course, within the borders of the GTA brings tons of movement and excitement, we couldn’t help but take part. We touched down in 27 degree weather, with the sun shining, and some extra time to enjoy the city. It was Baseball weather, and the season was in full swing, the Jays were playing Cleveland and we were front row center.  This was a great opportunity to really enjoy some of the best Toronto had to offer, including some great dining and great people. Growing as a team and performing at a high level, simple activities like this really go a long way. The only thing that could have made the trip any better would be having the entire Archway team in attendance and having an, all around, great time.

Wednesday Morning we were off to the conference. Having arranged to meet with many contacts before arriving in the area, it really didn’t take too long for things to get underway. Two realizations, Toronto is an incredibly competitive market place, and secondly, Atlantic Canada is definitely becoming a target for talent. Not only is a smaller scale urban or rural lifestyle becoming appealing to many people within the GTA, but people are realizing that the Maritimes are on the map within the IT world. With small start-ups evolving global players, folks can’t help but to stop, and take notice. Overall we spoke with some strong DBA’s, PM’s , Developers, BA’s ect… There is ton of talent willing to pursue opportunities, what better place to do it than on the beautiful East Coast of Canada.

After the parties have ended, most graduates will start preparing for what is next….a job…a career…a pay check!  At Archway, we know that everyone has to start somewhere, so here are a few tips to think about while preparing for the job hunt. 

Brandon Miller, a Monster Generation Y Contributing Writer said, “It’s a common fear amongst younger professionals; what do I talk about in an interview when I haven’t held a full-time job yet? What many new grads forget is that everyone has to start somewhere – and there are ways to sell yourself even when you have little experience. It just takes a bit of effort and some masterful preparation”

Do your research – Before hitting the pavement and the job boards, take some time to get to know what kinds of organizations are out there? Which of them align with your interests and meet some of your career goals?  This may be the single best secret to job-search success! With this research you can target companies, develop a strong cover letter and resume and prepare for an interview.   It also demonstrates to employers that you are genuinely interested in their opportunities and organizations; and it will help you figure out which organizations will be the best match for you.

Network/ Social Media – You’ll gain an edge by building a network that can help you learn about organizations and their opportunities. Your network contacts may help you get your resume into the right hands or your foot in the door.  Use social mediums like LinkedIn and Twitter to get the scoop on what is happening in companies that interest you. You never know how a connection may lead you to a great opportunity.

Part time/Co-Op/Volunteer Experience – The biggest hurdle coming out of school is lack of work experience on a resume.  If you spent some time during school holding down a part time job or doing some volunteer work, then highlight it.  Employers place a lot of emphasis on relevant work experience gained through full- or part-time employment, or volunteer work.  The work you did and the environment in which you did it can often relate to the positions you’re seeking.

And last, but certainly not least….

Set Realistic Goals – Set reasonable expectations regarding salary, benefits, etc.  Experience and opportunity is worth its weight in gold, so focus on that.  Miller says, “The reality is that most people start with a salary that leaves much to be desired. The trick here is to remember the simple facts: you’re young, you’re inexperienced and you’re the newest kid on the block. There’s plenty of time for raises and bonuses.”

Hopefully these points will provide some insight when preparing for your job search.  Just remember that everyone has been in your shoes!

Archway would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of the grads of 2011! If you need assistance with a career search, we can provide summer intern opportunities or we can discuss full time positions we are working on. 

Until next time…

How do you make the list? Consideration is given to Business’s based on a few key criteria; best practices, compensation/ benefit packages, employee survey ext… It was outstanding to truly grasp what different companies are doing to attract and retain strong talent. Ideas such as, Friday cocktails where employees collect in the lunch room to really unwind , do some bonding and enjoy some much needed relaxation. Events as simple as a company picnic, or extended lunch hours taken as a team seem to go a long way in building moral, and developing that support system needed to accomplish goals.

When you really sit down and think about it, pursuing cultures and practices as many of these companies have, really ties into the values we maintain here on the East Coast. Among these values, hard work/ reward, family, and collective team efforts, obviously go a long way in keeping you key people happy. For these select organization, work is about more than just money, it’s about health and development, investing in what makes their products and services successful. Basically, just all around having fun!

Archway was extremely proud to sponsor this event, and hope to in the coming years. We offer congratulations to this year’s award winners and hope to be joining you in the near future. Blessed with beauty, and organizations who understand the true ROI, the East Coast continues to surge as the overall Best Place to Work. I ask you again: When are you coming?

This week, we thought we would share a recent press release regarding immigration in Nova Scotia.

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PRESS RELEASE

“SO WHEN ARE YOU COMING?”…LOCAL COMPANIES ON IMMIGRATION TO NOVA SCOTIA

With the recent government announcement regarding a new immigration strategy in Nova Scotia and on the heels of a recent article in The Chronicle Herald titled “Let’s make room for the ‘bright’ immigrant”, we are providing this release to propose a follow up story on what companies are doing in Nova Scotia to support immigration to our province.   This release identifies a few organizations in Nova Scotia offering services that assist with immigration, specifically from the UK. 

UK 2 Nova Scotia has put Nova Scotia on the map in the Immigration marketplace over the last 6 years; prior to this, Nova Scotia had a limited presence in the UK.  Archway Search Consultants have teamed up with UK 2 Nova Scotia to provide a connection between the talents and skills of the UK immigrants with the great opportunities Nova Scotia businesses have to offer.  From this partnership, new immigrants can expect full relocation services, professional job search and recruitment at no cost.  UK 2 Nova Scotia and Archway Search Consultants provide a job board promoted directly to the UK. This is unique because it specifically targets the UK for positions that employers are looking to fill.

From an economic stand point, UK  2 NS clients have brought in, at a conservative figure, $250m+ investment to Nova Scotia.  An average client family brings in roughly $150-200k of direct investment to Nova Scotia and this does not include pensions/ earnings etc. 

UK 2 Nova Scotia has assisted over 6000 UK citizens with their move to Nova Scotia.  Archway Search Consultants are regularly meeting with potential candidates from the UK and offer an employment network that is essential to their success in immigrating to Canada.  As companies in our region demand top talent, candidates from the UK deliver all levels of professional skills and abilities.  A worthy resource to our region. 

These facts are just the tip of the iceberg on immigration in Nova Scotia.  This story may encourage other organizations to support and promote immigration to our province.  Archway Search Consultants and UK 2 Nova Scotia are just two organizations offering support to immigrants and challenge other organizations to come forward and promote how they support this new immigration strategy.

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Next week the entire Archway Team is attending the “Best Places to Work” Awards as the Platinum Sponsor of the event.  We will have all the fun details for you next Friday.

Have a great weekend!

Halifax is a beautiful city, large enough to keep you busy but small enough to say hi to many folks you know as you trot down it’s energetic streets. As spring arrives the streets begin to fill!! Local restaurants and pubs are setting up their patio’s, gearing up for thelocal’s and site seers who are anxious to partake in good food, good drink and good people.  Whether it is a casual stroll down Spring Garden Road, a scenic drive out to Peggy’s Cove or taking step back into history with a tour of Citadel Hill, Spring always seems to open the door for some great activities.

Across the water people are flocking from urban areas to more rural settings where carpets or green grass and, at times, bunkers of white sand await them. Golf season is in full swing these days, as the weather gets nicer many East Coasters find themselves spending many of their afternoon’s together out on the links. Here at Archway, not only do many of us love the game, but it truly gives us a great opportunity to enjoy a conversation with many of candidates and clients in a fantastic relaxed settings. Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton are renowned for their world class Golf courses and if you lucky, you may someday have the opportunity to visit some of them.

Another sure sign of spring is the coming of the Saltscapes East Coast Expo. For many people, this is an opportunity to see the best of what Atlantic Canada has to offer. From musical performances to exquisite cuisine, this is a must see event. Among the best exhibiters is the Province of New Brunswick, going above and beyond to communicate the scope of what this great province has to offer. Rich with culture and heritage as well as scenic beauty, if there is a province to travel throughout and experience, it would be New Brunswick.

With this being said, if you were considering a career transition, why wouldn’t you be on your way to the East Coast? Stays tuned for next week’s instalment of the Arch-Way, and remember, Connect. Right. Now!

Week number three of The Arch-Way and our final instalment of our informal introduction to Archway Search Consultants! This week it is all about getting to know “The Recruiters”.  A fun bunch that can identify great candidates and work hard to pin point talent for our Archway clients!!!

Meet Stephen Newman,

Our glorious leader!  One of the first team members at Archway, Stephen heads up our recruitment team.  As Senior Technical Recruitment Manager, Stephen brings 10+ years in sales and customer service to our team at Archway. He loves the thrill of the hunt and keeping us all in line.  He works closely with the team ensuring we get the best candidates for our clients. When Stephen’s not working he’s usually taking a leadership role on anything extracurricular in the office like the hockey team, golf team, hockey pool, etc.   If that’s not enough, he is a dedicated father of 2.  A busy guy…enough said!

Meet Logan Wall,

Or as we like to call him “The Hawk”!  Our resident STFX grad brings a fresh approach to the Archway team.  His strength in marketing and social networking has put Archway on the social media map.  Add to that his ability to find top talent fast and you get a strong member of our recruitment team.   Logan has retired his skates for the season and is preparing to dust off his golf clubs, so if you can’t find Logan working hard at the Archway office, check the links…

Meet Sherry Mulrooney,

Coming from a successful background in Human Resource and Training, Sherry is dedicated and tenacious, which makes her an invaluable member of our recruitment team. Not only does she tirelessly dedicate herself to the team effort, but she also provides some much welcome spunk to our line-up. Sherry puts her overall knowledge to good use, coming up with great solutions for our clients hiring needs.  As a super hero hockey mom, Sherry can be found in most rinks around the region if not at the Archway office.

Meet Brooke Ireland,

Brooke hails from the great north, northern New Brunswick that is!  She is the latest team member to join Archway’s Recruitment Team. Her strong work ethic and passion for recruitment make her a great fit on the Archway team. Around the office, Brooke’s name is often accompanied with “TCB”, as she notorious for “TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS.”  She truly enjoys connecting, meeting and working with talented candidates in a variety of industries. When Brooke isn’t hanging around the office you can often find her swinging the sticks out on the golf course.

Before we wrap up here, we have to introduce Chris Maclean, the nuts and bolts of Archway.  As the controller for the company, “CMAC” handles everything in the office.  If someone in the office has a question, Chris almost always has the answer.  If he doesn’t, he will google it for you!  Outside the walls of Archway, Chris is working hard on his CMA/MBA.  A man with a lot on his plate, he is a major asset to Archway and provides the perfect conclusion to our team introduction.

We hope you have enjoyed our intro blog series on The Arch Way. Our team would welcome and appreciate any comments or feedback on how we are doing so far.  Stay tuned for next week as we take a look at what’s happening as we gear up for spring time in Atlantic Canada.

Until next time…

Meet Jim Garland,

One of the founding Partners of Archway! Jim is all about the team, his clients and his candidates. He has an excellent knack for the business, but more importantly does so with upmost integrity and positive attitude. Jim is pleasure to have around the office, with his comedic personality and approachable nature; conversations are typically highlighted with a bit of laughter. In his free time, Jim plays an active role in coaching his son’s hockey team and taking the family out for a leisurely boat cruise in Chester! He wears the “C” on this team!

Meet Mark Stiles,

If a team has character, this is the guy who supplies it! Mark is the other founding Partner of Archway!  His energy and fantastic personality brings life to the office. If you are looking for a great conversation and some entertainment, Mark is your guy. Aside from being an all around good guy, he always strives to understand the needs of clients and candidates alike. With an engaging approach to his business, he offers insight into how Archway collectively operates!  Mark has his hands full, not only with the Archway Family, but in his full- house as well. Constantly staying on top of things with the busy lives of his two boys and two girls!

Meet Jamie Grant,

Jamie wears the hard hat around the Archway Office! With an exceptional work ethic and the ability to juggle tasks effectively, Jamie really knows how to get things done. On a day-to-day basis Jamie approaches his tasks with a positive attitude and honesty. Sounds like a pretty serious guy, on the contrary, Jamie’s dry sense of humour is really a spectacle to be observed. When Jamie is not living at the office he is busy being an excellent Dad who will have his hands full in years to come!

Meet Ed Grant,

The Minstrel! Ed is an incredibly talented Musician and when Archway has the opportunity, we enjoy venturing out and taking in Ed’s shows. In the office Ed is a busy guy, always out chatting with clients and candidates. Ed is a social butterfly.  He has an inviting nature about him which makes him very successful here at Archway! Not only does he establish great relationships with the Archway crew, but maintains fantastic relationships from a professional perspective, and this truly shows in Ed’s work. Ed is also busy being World’s Greatest Dad!!!

Meet Michele Falkner,

Our Newest addition to the Archway Team, Michele is turning out to be rookie of the year. She came on board and hit the ground running. Michele is a very busy lady, actively engaging new clients and prospecting for great candidates. Specializing in the financial sector, Michele is doing a great work venturing into uncharted waters for Archway. With her British roots, Michele entertains us with one liners that are a little out of the ordinary for us, but quite “run of the mill” for her.

Stay tuned as we introduce our recruitment team next week. 

Happy Easter weekend everyone!