We were lucky to catch up with Oshawa Hunt recently and have shared our conversation below.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

With nearly two decades of experience beginning as a Receptionist in a Recruiting agency, I transitioned my career path toward Corporate Recruiting. However, driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, I ventured into the realm of Recruitment Management Consulting. Over the years, I’ve lent my expertise to diverse organizations ranging from small startups to large enterprises like OfferUp, Xerox, Grainger, VisionWorks, Varsity Brands, and Herff Jones.

My journey has been marked by a revelation: the disconnect between internal recruitment teams, external agencies, and hiring managers. Recognizing the transactional nature of traditional recruitment processes and its impact on the candidate-to-employee experience, I saw an opportunity for change. While acknowledging the significance of meeting metrics such as time to fill, I firmly believe in prioritizing the often-overlooked metric: the candidate-employee experience.

Driven by this ethos, my mission is clear: to bridge the gap between efficient hiring practices and maintaining the human touch. This led me to establish Hunt and Hire, a Recruitment Management Consulting firm. Here, I collaborate with small business owners, crafting bespoke hiring frameworks tailored to their unique needs. Moreover, I extend my services to job seekers, guiding them through the intricacies of the evolving job market.

In essence, I am not merely focused on filling positions; I serve as a Guiding Consultant, ensuring that teams achieve their goals without sacrificing the essential human element.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Having spent nearly two decades in the recruitment industry, my journey didn’t always brim with the passion it does today. Initially, it was merely a means to support my family, and I failed to recognize the profound impact I could have through this profession. As a contract recruiter, I experienced the highs and lows of the job market, often finding myself seeking new opportunities when contracts ended unexpectedly.

The onset of the pandemic brought about a significant shift. Laid off from Grainger, a company I relocated for with hopes of long-term stability, I found myself navigating unemployment and exploring various avenues to sustain my livelihood. Having been through six layoffs due to budget constraints, I realized the need for a change.

Thus, I embarked on a new venture – an online dropshipping beauty supply store. Drawing from my lifelong passion for the beauty industry, I ventured into entrepreneurship with determination. Surprisingly, the venture flourished, evolving into a successful beauty supply vending machine business that I nurtured with love.

However, like many small businesses, the pandemic posed challenges, forcing me to diversify my income streams. I transitioned to mobile notary work and became a notary loan signing agent, relishing the autonomy of self-employment and the financial rewards it brought. Yet, the constant travel and time away from home took its toll on my work-life balance.

After two years of exploration and adaptation, I delved deeper into my true calling. Recognizing my innate desire to assist others, I embarked on a certification program and launched “Hunt and Hire” as a career coach. Initially focusing on resume writing, interview skills, and leveraging technology in job searches, I soon realized the need for a more holistic approach.

Listening to the struggles of countless job seekers – from endless applications with no response to feeling lost in the process – I felt compelled to intervene at a broader level. Drawing from my extensive experience in recruitment, I expanded my services to offer full-service recruitment management solutions. This allowed me to assist small businesses in optimizing their hiring processes effectively, leveraging my 18 years of expertise in the field.

Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?

Absolutely, as an entrepreneur, it’s crucial to explore additional revenue streams that complement your current business. We’ve forged partnerships with esteemed companies such as FlexJobs, WonsultingAi, LeadLeaper, and Snov.io as affiliates. In this role, we provide recommendations to our clients, encouraging them to utilize these resources if we believe it would enhance their operations. In exchange, our affiliate partners compensate us with commissions for the referrals we generate.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.huntandhire.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oshawa-shanae/