Talent Acquisition

Jacquilynne Ellison-Wickson, Director of Talent Acquisition Canada, HUB

With over 18 years of experience in talent acquisition, Jacquilynne Ellison has worked in various industries, including banking, transportation, and most recently, insurance brokerage, as Canada’s director of talent acquisition for HUB International. Her expertise in talent acquisition includes developing diverse recruitment strategies, leading successful teams across Western Canada, and using creative and unconventional recruitment initiatives to attract top talent.

Influential Aspects of the Evolving Talent Acquisition Landscape

Given the ever-changing talent acquisition landscape, the onset of COVID provided unprecedented challenges as the pandemic triggered a war on talent as well as more people working from home. Moreover, as everyone is targeting the same kinds of candidates, the process has become more challenging. This has resulted in the need to pivot and adopt a more flexible approach to hiring. I have driven/facilitated exclusive 100 percent virtual networking events between candidates and industry leaders. For candidates, it made the process novel, easy, and informative and provided the candidates with more flexibility to attend.

“We understand that some industries may not be the first choice for career planning, and with a significant demographic heading toward retirement, we are dedicated to bridging those gaps”

Another critical aspect of talent evolution is the use of technology. We are thrilled to explore different systems and methods to connect with candidates at HUB. We have identified innovative technology that will be a game-changer in reaching our candidates in new and creative ways, leading to a more robust pipeline for our hiring leaders.

Share Your Experiences from One of the Initiatives That You Were Recently Involved In

At HUB International, we have recently introduced a new HUB Student Internship Program that is now North American-wide and aims to connect students who might not be considering traditional paths into the insurance brokerage industry. Through our internship, students can gain complete experience, including networking, speaker series, mentorship, a capstone project and even the possibility of a full-time offer after the internship ends. Students get to network with each other across the U.S. and Canada. Another exciting new initiative is our partnership with the Canadian Football League Association, providing players with opportunities to work with HUB International during their off-season and after their professional football career has ended. The exceptional qualities displayed by professional athletes on the field also translate off the field, making the correlation between the professional sports industry and the insurance brokerage industry a perfect match.

Challenges in Your Business That Current Services Are Unable to Solve

We understand that some industries may not be the first choice for career planning, and with a significant demographic heading toward retirement, we are dedicated to bridging those gaps. We focus on developing our internal employees, providing leadership training, and actively engaging with local communities to attract talented individuals into our organization.

Advice to Professionals in the HR Industry in Terms of Do’s or Don’ts

I believe it is crucial to have an authentic approach when implementing your talent strategy. Sourcing diverse talent should be meaningful and not just a tick-box exercise, and you should be genuinely committed to it for the right reasons. I feel privileged to have lived and worked in the communities we serve and formed meaningful connections. Additionally, finding ways to give back to your candidates is important, such as offering interview or resume advice whenever possible. I have seen organizations focus more on filling seats than bringing in the right talent, but getting to know your candidates and taking time to find out what is important to them. Knowing your brand in the market and humanizing the experience goes a long way when attracting talent.

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