Trying to make your resumé stand out can be stressful, exhausting and time-consuming. It can be a wasted effort if you focus on the wrong things. Here is what you need to know…
Blog / Q&A
How the pandemic has changed recruitment
The pandemic prompted us to realign and implement new strategies. Some of the changes are here to stay. Others were temporary measures that we are glad to be rid of…
Surviving these crazy times
Our lives and our businesses have been shaken. We’ve had to change to survive in conditions that we had never known. It has been a learning process…
Are professional recruitment firms still relevant?
Recruitment firms are the best choice when quality is critical. Online tools and software packages don’t have the human element that is so necessary…
The importance of women in leadership
Women make up just over half of Canada’s population, yet the number of women in leadership roles is painfully low. We need more women in leadership roles…
Opening a business during COVID lockdowns
January 2020 started off with a bang! We were expanding into another province, hired new staff and I was excited about where we were going. As every other business owner will tell you, I was not prepared for what was coming. As businesses were shutting down, my...
Growing a business from Saskatchewan
To be an Entrepreneur is extremely rewarding however can be very challenging. It takes a curious combination of passion to make a difference for clients, an appetite for risk, and an over-developed work ethic. For those of us located in Saskatchewan, scaling up beyond...
An interview with our CEO
We recently asked our CEO, Tracy Arno, what inspired her to create Essence Recruitment. Here’s what she had to say. Her answers may surprise you…
Local Expertise, National Reach.
Our unique position allows us to best represent Saskatchewan and Alberta. Our team understands the local marketplace, community, economy and unique corporate cultures…
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
What makes Essence different from other search firms?
We don’t treat not-for-profit search like corporate hiring because it isn’t.
Not-for-profit leadership demands more than experience. It requires navigating board governance, funding constraints, community accountability, stakeholder dynamics, and mission alignment all at once. For 15 years, this has been our focus.
We understand the realities of this sector. Limited resources. High expectations. Public accountability. Deep emotional investment. That’s why our searches are structured, disciplined, and intentional, not transactional.
We challenge assumptions. We ask harder questions. We guide clear conversations around compensation, fit, and long-term sustainability before an offer is ever made.
This isn’t about filling a vacancy. It’s about protecting your mission and positioning your organization for what’s next.
We don’t just bring candidates. We bring leaders built for not-for-profits.
Questions Employers Ask
What kinds of organizations do you help?
Essence works primarily with not-for-profit organizations across Canada, partnering with boards and executive teams to recruit senior leadership. We also support private and growth-oriented organizations seeking executive and senior-level talent. Our work spans sectors; our speciality is leadership.
I've never used a recruiter before, how does this work?
Great question, and you’re not alone! Many of our clients are working with a search partner for the first time. Typically, organizations come to us when:
- They’ve tried hiring on their own but aren’t finding the right candidates or have the reach
- The role requires a confidential or discreet recruitment process
- They don’t have the time, capacity, or in-house expertise to manage the search
- They are looking for outside opinion
Once we understand your situation and what success looks like for your organization, we build a tailored recruitment plan. From role definition and market outreach to interviews and onboarding support, we manage the process from start to finish. Every search is unique, but the goal is always the same: to help you find the right person to join your team and move your organization forward.
How do you find candidates?
Every search begins with a focused strategy tailored to the role, organisation, and sector. While we do post publicly when suitable, our successful placements result from a targeted, deliberate approach. We are continually maintaining a nationwide network. That said, we don’t limit our search to our existing network. We conduct proactive outreach, industry research, and referrals to ensure we’re identifying the best possible candidates for each role, not just the most available ones.
What types of roles do you fill?
We specialize in recruiting for leadership and executive roles, typically at the manager, senior manager, director, and C-suite levels. Many of our clients are not-for-profit organizations that need strategic support in hiring key members of their leadership teams. We focus on long-term culture and fit, leadership alignment, and values-based hiring.
Do you help us determine salary and offer details?
Absolutely, this is an important differentiator. Many organizations underestimate how critical compensation strategy and offer structuring are. We facilitate clear, candid conversations that align expectations, and long-term strategy before an offer is ever made.
What happens after a candidate accepts an offer?
Our work doesn’t end when the contract is signed. We continue to support both you and your new hire through the onboarding process. Your recruitment plan includes onboarding priorities to help ensure a smooth transition, set clear expectations, and position the candidate for long-term success within your organization.
Questions Job Seekers Ask
Do you help people find new careers?
We’re an executive search firm, which means we work on behalf of our clients to seek executives to lead their organizations. While we don’t provide general job placement services, we do connect with individuals with opportunities that align with their experience and career goals. We encourage you to review our current listings and apply directly to any roles that match your qualifications. Not every opportunity is posted publicly, so if you’re interested in being considered for future roles, feel free to send us your resume.