20 years in the Recruitment Industry has been filled with many Ups and Downs....and I love every minute!

Working successfully in the Recruitment Agency space for two decades, I have learned what it takes to fulfil clients’ needs and desires and my own—the very definition of success. Has it been a smooth road? Not always. I’ve had my share of ups and downs, but it is these experiences, both positive and challenging, that have shaped me into the industry leader I am today. I hope that my journey through the recruitment landscape can inspire others to consider this profession and make a difference in their own lives.

I grew up in Toronto as the youngest of four kids raised by hard-working immigrant parents. While we didn’t have a lot, I saw the effort my parents put into providing for their family, and I learned the value of hard work and determination. I never forgot those values and carried them with me throughout school and my working career and applied them to everything I did.?

I graduated from George Brown College in 1991, during an economic recession when nobody hired new grads. I took a telemarketing job which was one of the few jobs you could find without any experience, and it changed my life forever. It was during this time that I learned the art of selling over the phone and in person, as well as how to manage clients, recruit, and train. After prospering and thriving with that company for almost a decade, it was sold, and I was part of the downsizing cuts. I was devastated. I took some time to sort out what I was going to do and to enjoy my wife and new son, who was only a year old at the time.?

After taking six months off, I decided to reach out to companies to get an idea of their level of interest in someone like me. It was at this moment that I realized that I must be doing something right, as I interviewed with five hand-picked companies and received three job offers. Despite this, I turned them all down. I declined them all because I thought I wanted to work in multimedia and finance, but I realized through the interview process that it wasn't where I wanted to be at all.

Shortly after, I received a phone call from a stranger within Recruitment, asking if I would be interested in meeting with a large International Recruitment firm to help launch their North American division. I took the job as the Director of NA for this firm, and it was an easy transition. Why this job and not the others I had interviewed for? Because this job gave me the best opportunity to take what I had learned in my previous position and apply it to a completely different industry. Fast forward six years, and I had built a substantial division all organically, primarily made up of people who had no knowledge or recruitment experience, into a leader within the healthcare and construction/engineering space. How did I build such a thriving division with people with no experience? The answer is pretty simple—I hired great communicators with great personalities who trusted what I was teaching and stuck with the process. This process saw us grow beyond Ontario’s borders and service many clients in Western Canada as well.

However, as I said before, the road was not always a smooth one. The recession hit in 2009, and everyone was feeling the strain. I understood the possible impact and was prepared. The signs were there in 2007 and I adjusted the business to ensure that we did not skip a beat with servicing our clients even when the recession hit. Adjustments to how we interact with our clients, processes, and staff retraining paid off huge dividends. However, once again, the company I worked for was sold to a large international firm, and although this time I was asked to stay and lead a department, I decided my time had expired and moved on.

As word got out of my departure, I was solicited by almost every large Recruitment firm in the country. I met with a handful and appreciated the interest but decided that I would open up my firm. In 2010, Harbinger Network Inc. was born in my kitchen with the help of my wife. Starting off wasn't easy, and I decided that if I was going to do this for the long haul, I wanted to make sure I didn't rely on former clients who I knew would always be there. So, I started from scratch. I learned that many who start their business simply by calling on previous clients, might have short-term success but often struggled once the familiar well went dry. My approach was to go after someone brand new, someone who doesn't know who I am, and build my business from there.

My first client was a small commercial painting contractor who didn’t know me or my history in recruitment. From there I continued to work hard meeting new clients, determined to make their success my success. From those small beginnings, with a handful of trusted and like-minded partners and the help of my business partner Albert Aragona, we have grown Harbinger Network to a company of almost 30 people across Canada, including BC, AB and ON.

Over the course of my 20-year career in recruitment, I have had the privilege of making a meaningful impact on the lives of thousands of people, which is truly the best part of my job. From offering valuable insights and advice to candidates struggling to find employment, to guiding companies through the recruitment process and helping individuals rise to higher roles, I am proud of the many success stories that have resulted from my work.

As someone who has seen the recruitment landscape evolve over the years - from the days of newspaper ads to the rise of social media and AI - I can say with certainty that at the end of the day, our industry is all about people. While technology and online platforms certainly have their place in the recruitment process, there is simply no substitute for the personal touch and human connection that comes from face-to-face interactions.

If you are considering a career in recruitment or are new to the field, I encourage you to embrace this philosophy and try to connect with others on a personal level. Whether through a phone call, a coffee meeting, or a visit to a client's office, your willingness to engage with others in a meaningful way will set you apart from the rest and help you build lasting relationships that can weather even the toughest of times.

Remember, recruitment is not just a job - it's a calling to help others find their way and achieve their goals. With dedication, hard work, and a genuine passion for people, you too can make a meaningful impact and leave a lasting legacy in this field.

Signed

Tony Labora

Founder and President?

Harbinger Network Inc.