Frequently Asked Questions
Employers
What are the advantages of me working with Thomas & Schmidt?
- We share with you great knowledge of the federal consulting market: We work exclusively in the industry, especially since we work in particular sectors and markets like IT, Sales, Finance or Graduate recruitment.
- You receive access to extensive network of hundreds of thousands of candidates. This means you'll have a large pool of talented candidates to choose from.
- Using our services can help you avoid costly mistakes in the hiring process. When companies try to hire internally, they often rush to fill positions, especially if they're under pressure due to staff turnover.
- We can help with employer branding, which is particularly beneficial for small businesses, start-ups, or SMEs. By partnering with us, you can effectively market your business to potential candidates and attract them to join your company.
- Working with us saves you time and allows you to focus on other aspects of your business. We handle tasks like screening CVs, conducting telephone interviews, and communicating with candidates on your behalf.
- In addition to being time-saving, our services are highly cost-effective. We cover the cost of advertising job vacancies and have a rebate structure in place, which significantly reduces the risk associated with hiring new employees.
What industries do we specialize in?
Thomas & Schmidt's primary focus is on providing services in various areas such as Software and Solution Development, System Architecture, DevOps, ITSM, Project Management, Business and System Analysis, Staffing and Personnel Management, and Lifecycle Management. They also handle Material Management, which includes Information Technologies, Aircraft, Avionics, Land Vehicles, and more. Additionally, the company offers federal consulting services and helps eligible individuals obtain security clearance.
How do we handle the sourcing, screening and selection process?
Thomas & Schmidt helps with federal consulting by doing pre-screening during the hiring process. This includes checking important documents like ID, address, academic and professional qualifications, and references. We also conduct initial interviews and skill assessments to save time and money. Once the hiring managers know that the candidates have the necessary qualifications, they can focus on evaluating other qualities like personality, work style, communication, and problem-solving skills. This is particularly helpful for jobs that require security clearance.
What types of staffing services do we provide?
Some government agencies hire workers on a temporary or contract basis, while others also have options for temp-to-hire and permanent placements. Thomas & Schmidt can help you with your staffing needs now and in the future. By being proactive in your choices, you can avoid the hassle of switching agencies if your requirements change, like going from needing temporary workers for short periods to finding permanent staff to support long-term business growth.
If you are looking for federal consulting jobs or positions that require security clearance, Thomas & Schmidt can assist you in finding the right fit for your needs, whether you need temporary, contract, or permanent employment. We cater to your current needs and make sure to meet your future requirements, ensuring a seamless process as your staffing needs evolve over time.
How do we handle poor placements?
Sometimes, even with careful screening and evaluations, we may end up hiring the wrong people. At Thomas & Schmidt, we have various solutions in our contracts (like interventions, mitigations, replacements, etc.) to handle such situations. Additionally, we can discuss other measures with the Client if needed, especially for federal consulting roles.
How do Public/Private Sector employers work with recruitment agencies?
Businesses hire employment agencies, so that they help them with their recruitment needs and streamline the recruitment process by shortlisting the best applicants for the role and introducing these candidates to the company by setting up job interviews. They will also speak directly to candidates, decide whether they are suitable for the job and potentially secure them a temporary or permanent role.
What is our recruitment agency fee structure?
We have different fees for hiring people depending on what you need. Whether you want to hire someone for a long time, or temporarily with an option to make it permanent, seek federal consulting experts with security clearance, or look for summer internships, we have different prices for those services. We also offer flexible pricing if you want to make just one hire or multiple hires. If you want more information about our fees for helping you find the right people, please contact us today at 514-692-3311.
Job seekers
What is the definition of recruitment?
Recruitment is the process of finding and hiring candidates for particular jobs. Federal consulting involves hiring people for specific jobs in the government. The process includes different stages, starting with talking to potential candidates and goes all the way to getting them onboard. One important aspect of federal consulting is ensuring that candidates have the necessary security clearance.
Why is recruitment important?
In order for companies to grow, it's crucial for employers to understand the significance of hiring the right people through recruitment. No matter the industry, whether it's finance or advertising, all businesses need to hire talented individuals at some point. The main goal of recruitment is to find the right candidates for specific job roles and attract them to join the organization.
Successful recruitment goes beyond just filling one job vacancy; it has a long-term impact on the overall performance of the organization. There are different ways companies can find and select candidates. Some use their own in-house Talent Acquisition or Hiring Managers, while others prefer to work with recruitment agencies to help them find and hire the best candidates.
If your company is involved in federal consulting and requires employees with security clearance, it becomes even more crucial to have an effective recruitment strategy to attract the right candidates with the required clearances.
What is the recruitment industry?
The recruitment industry is all about finding people jobs and helping companies hire new employees. It's a huge industry worldwide, especially in Canada, where there are about 5500 employment and recruitment businesses and many workers involved, including federal consulting, where specific skills and security clearance might be required for certain jobs.
Within the recruitment industry, there are people called Recruiters or Recruitment Consultants. Their job is to connect companies that want to hire new employees with people who are looking for job opportunities. They play the role of middlemen, bringing employers and job seekers together.
Advantages of working with us for you!
We will find out your specific job requirements or career needs and do a lot of the initial application process for you, in terms of finding suitable companies and determining whether you would be the right fit for the job role.
For many jobs that you apply for through recruitment companies, you don’t have to create a cover letter, saving you time during the application process.
Working with a recruitment agency to find a job speeds up the job-hunting process. Not only is it quicker to apply, but candidates can receive responses and feedback more quickly, too.
A problem shared is a problem halved. If you are struggling to find a job, speaking to a Recruitment Consultant can help to encourage and motivate you; we know the job hunt can be a long old road!
In the area of federal consulting, recruiters play a crucial role. They not only offer support and guidance but also assist with important aspects like initiating security clearance and career advice. If your current skills and qualifications don't quite match a specific role, these Recruitment Consultants can suggest relevant training or internships to help you follow your desired career path. They can even recommend alternative job roles that you might not have thought about before.
At Thomas & Schmidt, we go the extra mile by providing interview assistance to all our candidates. If you are unsuccessful in an interview, recruiters will provide feedback, to help candidates to understand why they were unsuccessful and what they can do to improve in future interviews.
What is the mechanics of our work?
Thomas and Schmidt acts as the middleman between businesses and candidates, helping companies to source and hire talent, and helping jobseekers find the jobs that fit them best.
Federal consulting head hunting agencies play a crucial role in connecting the Federal government and job seekers. They help government agencies find the right people for their job openings and also assist individuals in finding the best-suited jobs. These agencies often deal with positions that require security clearance, ensuring the right candidates are matched with the appropriate opportunities.
How do we work with candidates looking for jobs?
At Thomas & Schmidt, our team works closely with candidates to understand their skills, career interests, and specific job preferences. The Recruitment Consultant will then recommend suitable job roles and assist the candidate in securing interviews. We go the extra mile by helping candidates prepare for these interviews, offering feedback on any unsuccessful attempts, and supporting them in improving their skills if needed. Our goal is to help candidates succeed in their job search and find the best opportunities, including Federal consulting positions that require security clearance.
How does recruitment process work?
For private job seekers and government contract work, there's a series of steps to find the right people for the job. These include identifying, attracting, shortlisting, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding candidates. Sometimes, this process can take a while, so some companies get help from recruitment agencies. To make things easier, many companies create a good recruitment strategy for short-term and long-term hiring plans.
The way the process works depends on whether you're a job seeker or an employer. At Thomas & Schmidt, we make things simpler for both sides. We help job seekers with their job hunt, and we assist employers in finding the right candidates for their needs. We also deal with federal consulting and security clearance matters, making sure everything goes smoothly for everyone involved.
What does a Recruitment Consultant do?
A Recruitment Consultant is someone who helps companies find the right people to work for them and assists job seekers in finding suitable job opportunities. They work at a recruitment agency and build connections with both clients (companies) and candidates (job seekers).
For private recruitment, they find the best candidates for companies by promoting job roles, shortlisting potential candidates, and arranging interviews. They also develop a good understanding of the companies they work with and use their market knowledge to advise job applicants and businesses on hiring plans and strategies.
On the other hand, for federal contracting, a Recruitment Consultant (Head Hunter) may also be involved in federal consulting, which means they help government agencies with their hiring needs. In such cases, "security clearance" is a crucial keyword, as candidates often need to have specific security clearance levels to work for the government.
In summary, a Recruitment Consultant is like a matchmaker, connecting companies with the right people for the job and helping job seekers find great career opportunities, both in private recruitment and federal contracting, which may involve federal consulting and consideration of security clearance levels.
What is the difference between recruitment and selection?
In simple terms, recruitment and selection are two important steps when someone is trying to find a job, either in private companies or for government projects where security clearance may be required.
Recruitment is all about finding potential candidates for a job. This step includes looking for people who have the right skills and qualifications for the position. The goal is to suggest suitable job roles to these candidates based on their abilities.
Selection, on the other hand, is about carefully choosing the best candidate for the job. This is done by screening and thoroughly evaluating the candidates. The goal is to ensure that the employer, hiring manager, or recruitment consultant picks the most suitable person for the job.
In summary, the recruitment and selection process covers the entire journey of finding and hiring the right person for a job, whether it's for private companies or government projects like federal consulting.
Do we charge candidates?
Recruitment agencies do not charge candidates but charge the employer a fee. This is typically a percentage of the annual salary for the job role once a successful candidate has been placed. At Thomas & Schmidt, we never charge candidates to register with us.
What is the difference between retained and contingency recruitment?
In the world of hiring, there are two main ways recruiters and agencies work: private recruitment and federal contracting. In private market, recruiters can use two methods to find candidates. The first one is called "retained recruitment." Here, the recruiter charges the client an upfront fee and continues to provide ongoing services until the position is filled. Although they ask for an upfront payment, they are committed to helping the company find the right people. The second method is "contingency recruitment." In this approach, recruiters work on a "no win no fee" basis. It means they only get paid if they successfully place a candidate in the role. For example, at Thomas & Schmidt, we use contingency recruitment for federal consulting. You won't have to pay us any fees until we find the perfect candidate who fits your role and company requirements. This way, you can be sure you'll get the right person for the job without any upfront costs. Plus, we specialize in candidates with security clearance, making sure your hiring process goes smoothly and securely. |
What is a government contract?
A Government contract refers to an agreement between the Federal Government of Canada and a private company or individual. This agreement can involve providing goods, services, or construction work. The contract is authorized and signed by the Contracting Authority of Public Works on behalf of Canada.
For federal consulting, it means offering specialized advice or expertise to the Canadian government on various matters. If you're interested in these opportunities, having a security clearance might be necessary, as some government projects require a level of security access to protect sensitive information.
What does Request for Proposal (RFP) mean?
A Request For Proposal is like an official invitation for businesses to submit their ideas and offers. It's used for both private companies looking to hire new suppliers and for government projects. If you're a company that wants to work with the government (federal consulting), you might need a special "security clearance" to be eligible. So, it's a way for organizations to ask different companies to share their plans and prices for providing goods or services.
What does a "Bid" mean?
A bid is like a job application that a company submits when the government or private organizations ask for offers to provide a particular product or service. For federal consulting or government projects, these bids are made public to ensure fairness and prevent secretive dealings. This way, any qualified company can participate, and it keeps things transparent. When companies compete, it leads to better prices for the government or organization. These bids can take different forms like RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, or ITBs, depending on the details they ask for.
If you're looking to get involved in federal contracting or private recruitment for companies that require security clearance, you'll need to understand the bidding process and the different types of bids (like RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, or ITBs) used by government agencies and private organizations. This will allow you to submit your proposals and quotations in response to their requests and increase your chances of winning contracts. Remember, transparency is vital in these processes to avoid unfair advantages and ensure fair competition.
I've never participated in a Bid. How does it work?
First, we get in touch with you about a job opening. If it sounds good to you, we decide on your pay and have you sign a form called a Resource Acknowledgement Consent (RAC). After that, we collect the documents we need for the job application:
Driver’s license and healthcare card (these are two forms of ID)
Information about your security clearance, if you have one
Your most recent resume
At least three professional references from recent projects listed in your resume
Any relevant diplomas and certificates
Once we have all the paperwork, we send the application to the Government. We then get confirmation that they received it and wait for the results. It could take a week or a month for the Government to look at it and make a decision. We, Thomas & Schmidt, are told if we won the bid or not.
Here is the summary of this process:
If we win, we tell the job applicant and make sure they can start working. If all goes well, we work out the details of the job agreement, set up the first day of work, and introduce the job applicant to the Government officials. The job applicant will then use our timesheet and invoice to keep track of their work and pay. We also ask them to regularly tell us how things are going at the job to ensure everything's running smoothly.
A lot of recruitment companies that work in both the U.S. and Canada started by finding workers for private businesses. Over time, they began to work on getting federal contracts too. These companies are good at quickly finding workers to fit the needs of businesses. Usually, these job applicants have short resumes, and they talk about their skills and experience in an interview.
Getting a job with the Federal Government is different. Interviews usually are not required. Instead, the job applicant's resume needs to answer all the Government's questions. This includes information about the job applicant's skills, experience, and so on. Each contract always includes a table with these requirements, which we call a "Matrix of Requirements".
Job applicants need to make sure their resume matches up with as many points in this matrix as possible. This helps them qualify and potentially get the job. We at Thomas & Schmidt are good at understanding these matrices and figuring out what our Federal clients want. We're skilled at communicating with our clients and addressing their needs, thanks to our experience in federal consulting.
Do we hire on payroll (T4)?
Thomas & Schmidt does offer payroll hiring! You are welcome to request Payroll employment from your direct Point of Contact (POC) within our company.
Do we provide accounting services for the consultants?
Unfortunately, Thomas & Schmidt does not offer accounting services.
Am I able to combine Contractual and Government permanent payroll work?
"Can I work as a consultant for the Canadian Government privately, apart from my full-time job? My HR supervisor is worried about potential conflicts of interest". In general, it is possible as long as there are no conflicts and everything is legal. Many consultants working with the government are also full-time permanent staff, and that's allowed as long as they handle their time and taxes properly. It's essential to follow the rules, but you have the right to pursue private opportunities.
What is a Conflict of Interest?
A conflict of interest happens when someone is involved in multiple interests, like financial or other matters, and serving one interest might go against another. Let's see an example to understand this better:
Imagine you work as a procurement manager for the Federal Canadian Government. Your job is to develop and issue a request for proposal (RFP) for the government. Now, let's say you decide to apply for the same position as a candidate, either through your own company or a third-party vendor's service. This creates a problem because you will be the one reviewing and evaluating the proposals, including your own if you apply.
This situation eliminates any competition for the bidding process, which is not fair to others who might want to participate. It's an example of a conflict of interest because your personal interests as a candidate are clashing with your responsibilities as a procurement manager. This can cause serious issues and is not allowed, especially in federal consulting where fairness and transparency are essential.
What are the benefits of working with us for you?
First, a little preamble:
Almost all Canadian and US-based recruitment agencies operating in Canada are notorious for viewing their contractors as a ‘commodity’, a ‘thing’ they sell. Unfortunately, this is a well-known and sad fact.
Once the contract is won and awarded, the consultant is sent by the successful bidder to the Federal agency to work and almost never gets contacted again, except pertaining to their timesheets, or invoices. This makes consultants feel stranded, lonely, and insecure, as if they are only used to be sold to the Government like some commodity.
Thomas & Schmidt is proud of its long and rich history of successful relationship with its clients, candidates and consultants. We are proud to say that our experts are family to us, with whom we constantly keep in touch, asking if their work environment is healthy, if their team collaborates with them and is being inclusive.
If you feel threatened, harassed, or ill, if there are any concerns or issues of any kind, that you feel may jeopardize your work, or deliverables of the project you’re working on, you can always know and trust that if you come to us – we will do our best to represent, address and resolve your concerns in the best and most expedient manner possible.
If you are our consultant, or a prospective candidate, we have only four words to say in this regard:
We care about you!
Federal Security Clearance (FSC)
What is a Federal Security Clearance (FSC)?
Federal security clearance (FSC) is a special authorization given to people that allows them to access safeguarded information or restricted-access data. To get this clearance, individuals have to go through a thorough background check.
It's important to understand that federal security clearance is different from the security checks that private companies might conduct for their employees.
Sometimes, the clearance given to consultants is only valid for one specific contract. It expires when the consultant finishes the work or leaves the contract. However, there are other clearances that last for 10 years. With these long-term clearances, the specialists can work for any government agency or contract that requires such clearance.
Certain federal government agencies might ask candidates to obtain their own internal security clearance. For instance, the RCMP has its own clearance process. If you encounter such a situation, you'll need to follow a separate process to obtain the specific clearance required by that agency.
What different levels are there for FSCs?
The first security clearance level is Enhanced Reliability status, followed by the Secret clearance. The next levels include Top Secret, NATO Secret and Cosmic Top Secret (CTS), which are used in rare cases
Am I qualified for the FSC?
Any person living in Canada (ideally a Canadian citizen) can apply for private jobs or federal consulting government contracts. To be eligible, they should have been residing in Canada for at least 5 years (for Enhanced Reliability) or 10 years (for Secret Clearance), and they must meet these conditions:
- They haven't been outside Canada for more than 6 months.
- They don't have any criminal history.
- They don't have too excessive debt or financial problems (i.e., 5-10 credit cards, or 2-3 credit lines maxed out).
How long is the validity period of the FSC?
Right now, when you work with the government (federal contracting) or private companies (private recruitment) on federal consulting projects, you might need to get a security clearance. This clearance is like a permission slip that allows you to access sensitive information or work on certain classified projects.
The security clearance is given by the Federal Contract Security Program's Online Industrial Security Services (OLISS), and it usually lasts for 10 years. That means once you get the clearance, you can keep it for a long time before needing to renew it.
What is a wait time to receive the FSC?
For federal contracting, the time it takes to get a security clearance depends on various factors. If you're applying for Enhanced Reliability clearance, it's usually faster and takes around 3 weeks to 2 months after you submit your application.
On the other hand, if you're applying for Secret Clearance, the process is longer. The application is more extensive, and the background check can take anywhere from 4 weeks to 6 months, unless the application is marked as "Complex." If a candidate doesn't meet the requirements, their application may be marked as "Complex" by OLISS screening personnel. This can significantly slow down the clearance process, taking 1.5 to 2 years, and sometimes includes an interview.
In what department and what region is FSC valid?
Having a "Federal Security Clearance" means you've been given permission to access sensitive information or work on specific classified projects for the Canadian government. This clearance is recognized in all 10 provinces of Canada and is required for many jobs in federal government agencies. It's important for both private companies hiring for federal consulting roles and government contracts.
How can I apply for Federal Security Clearance?
If you want to apply for a job in federal consulting and work on government projects that require security clearance, here's the process:
1. Get Sponsored: To apply for the Federal Government Consulting Services (FSC), you need to be sponsored by a vendor like Thomas & Schmidt. Upon confirming your eligibility, they will explain the process and will instruct you to get fingerprint scans.
2. Get Fingerprinted: The first step is to visit a special fingerprint scanning center or a police station equipped with fingerprint scanners. They will scan your fingerprints, and you'll receive a 20-digit number called the Document Control Number (DCN). This number is valid for 12 months.
3. Start Security Clearance: The vendor's Chief Security Officer (CSO) or Assistant Chief Security Officer (ACSO) will use the DCN you received to initiate your security clearance process online.
4. Fill Out Online Form: You will receive an email from OLISS with temporary login credentials for their online portal. Use this to access the portal and complete the online clearance form.
5. Review and Submission: Once you've filled out the form, the vendor's CSO/ACSO will review it and submit it to the Security Clearance Official.
6. Wait for Clearance: Now, the process is in the hands of OLISS, and they will handle the rest of the security clearance procedure.
'- In summary, to work on federal consulting projects with security clearance, a vendor needs to sponsor your application. You'll need to provide your fingerprints to get a Document Control Number (DCN), and then the vendor's CSO/ACSO will start the security clearance process using the DCN. You'll fill out an online clearance form, which the vendor will review and submit for you. After that, OLISS will handle the remaining steps.
Why do I need to do the fingerprints for the FSC?
Starting on February 1, 2017, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) made some changes to federal contracting Contract Security Program (CSP) which now requires electronic fingerprinting for a mandatory criminal record check. This new process is important for federal consulting and any work that involves security clearance.
If you would like to know when electronic fingerprints are necessary and why the Program made this change, you can find more information about it. Additionally, you'll learn about the validity period of these checks and the steps applicants and company security officers need to follow.
Why do we require to provide two pieces of ID?
Starting May 15, 2019, there are new document rules for federal contracting, including federal consulting and security clearance requirements. If you would like to undergo security screening, you must provide two identification documents. One of them must be foundational (like a driver's license, or health card, provided that it has your photographic image on it) and the supporting identification (like passport, or PR card, provided it has your photograp on it). You need to present these documents to your Company Security Officer (CSO) or Alternate Company Security Officer (ACSO).