A first impression can affect the course of any relationship. As a member of our HR recruiting team, we understand the importance of every first impression during the candidate interview process. After-all, it is not just the interviewee that bears the weight of making a good first impression, but rather the interviewer as well.
While hiring is our primary job function, being an ambassador for the company is an important element of our day. First impressions eventually become lasting impressions, and we want each candidate to get a sample of what life at A.S.P is like. We believe that these positive interactions will help improve our reputation and attract more talented and skilled candidates to join our team.
We’ve compiled a few tips that we use to help create a fantastic first impression:
Expert customer service skills: It’s the underlying skill to any conversation.
Tell a great story about our culture: We love mentioning our employee success stories to new candidates, and explain to them that everyone has an opportunity for growth at ASP
Be open and honest: By starting with transparency and honesty, this helps to build trust and foster a positive relationship.
Each and every day, we interview dozens of candidates collectively to fill our open positions. Using a variety of skills, stories, and underlying ethics, we try to create these positive interactions because we’re focused on our brand and how we’re perceived by the public. If we make a good first impression with everyone, this can help the company to grow and attract top talent.
By Josh Holowatenko, RES/CIC Recruiter
The world right now is almost unrecognisable from what it was nearly two months ago. Instead of crowded streets and traffic-filled commutes to work, we have empty highways and online meetings. Instead of sameness and routine, we have change and uncertainty. It is like we are in a constant state of culture shock.
Society is so focused on physical health, symptoms, staying safe and healthy. Although it has been mentioned a bit, I feel there needs to be a priority on mental health. As a team, we need to check in on one another. Everyone is handling this unprecedented time differently and although we may not all be showing it, this is taking a toll on each and every one of us.
From the outside looking in, a girl very close to me is very successful. She is the lead of a team at her company, making a difference in the lives of children with autism. She has just been accepted into a Master’s program at Western university, and there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that this girl is determined, driven, and passionate about what she does.
However, what was unclear from the rest of the world, was the anxiety, inner demons, and fear of failure, that drove her success. When her world of routine and sameness changed so fast; it was easy for her to fall into a world she no longer recognised, a world of fear and anxiety. In this world, things got so bad that she could no longer separate thought from fact. Her body was trying to justify the physiological feelings of anxiety by convincing her that things were real, when in fact they weren’t. She couldn’t trust her own thoughts; she was scared to talk to anyone in case those conversations triggered another attack. All she wanted to do was sleep and escape reality because that’s where her own thoughts couldn’t haunt her there.
Now this is one of the strongest girls I know, so she wasn’t going to let this beat her, as hard as it was. She talked to me, she talked to her family, and most importantly, she talked to her doctor and got the help she needed. Days aren’t always perfect for her; she’s tired all of the time and needs to force herself to trust her thoughts again, but she’s got the relief that she needs, and the relief that so many other people may be desperately needing as well.
Now more than ever, it is so important for us to check in on each other. Even the strongest and most successful people can be secretly struggling.
We are a team and we owe it to each other to check in, reach out, say hi, give a smile, ask how our teammates are doing, and mean it. We owe it to each other to make sure we are doing the best we possibly can. Together.
By Cliff Sampogna, Regional Manager - Residential/Commercial
Over the last several years, ASP has continually experienced organic growth in specialized services. Our reputation and dedication to be the best has always been integral to our success.
I wanted to take this opportunity to congratulate the ASP family for the growth within the Residential and Commercial division again.
Earlier this year, we were advised that we were awarded a new contract with the City of Toronto. This contract was awarded for the Respite Centers throughout the city. This contract consists of six different locations from Scarborough to the west end of Toronto. This contract brings with it about 70 to 80 new employees to the ASP family. This was a big win for us, as we can showcase our high level of service in a specialized area that we would like to grow in. We started this contract in February 2020.
This contract was awarded to us due to our reputation and the hard work of our field staff over the last several years at our sites. This is a testament to how important it is to always maintain a professional image and attitude.
This contract has provided us with another unique vertical market within our specialist services. It allows us to assist in an area that helps service the city’s most vulnerable people and to be a part of something special.
I wanted to welcome all the incumbent and new staff as we transition this contract and bring a large amount of intellectual capital on board through the highly experienced security staff. The team’s support and willingness to help is a big part of the smooth transition and the future success we will have with this contract.
We have several projects in the works and I am looking forward to the continued growth within our ASP family and to see where we can take this in the future.
Congratulations to the ASP family!
Submitted by Darren Scott, Resource Planning Coordinator
As a security guard, my Boss said my job is to watch the office.
I’m on Season 6 so far, and not sure what this has to do with security.
What do you call security guards working outside Samsung shops?
Guardians of the Galaxy.
I went on a job interview for a security guard. After spending 12 hours in the waiting room…
…they hired me.
I used to sell security alarms door to door, and I was really good at it.
If no one was home, I would just leave a brochure on the kitchen table.
Airport security asked me if I’ve seen anything unusual
…I just paid $18 for a pop and a ham sandwich…Let’s start with that!
By Sean Gallagher, HR Recruitment Manager
Hardeep Khaneja is the definition of a well-rounded A.S.P. Incorporated employee. Hardeep came to ASP back in 2007 when he began his career as a floater in the Residential division. He worked at various sites such as Country Club properties, Wyldewood, Forestlane and Main Square. This is where Hardeep truly started growing a passion for helping people in the security industry.
Hardeep moved to a site supervisor for a four-building community named Queen’s Court housing about 3000 tenants. Hardeep really shined as a supervisor in this location for 3 years and showed the characteristics that earned him the supervisor position for future contracts.
From 2011-2017 Hardeep had full control over one of our high-end sites called Ovation in Mississauga. Hardeep did everything from on-site interviews and managing last minute book offs to building positive relationships with every tenant at his building. At this point ASP knew we had something special in Hardeep and needed to put him in a centralized position where he could develop relationships with the complete Residential and Commercial division. Hardeep is currently leading the Residential/Commercial scheduling team where he demonstrates everyday his site knowledge, positive demeanor and security experience.
If you ask Hardeep why he stays with ASP and the security industry he will tell you that he loves being an instrumental piece in the success and growth of A.S.P. Incorporated over the past 12 years. Hardeep will continue to do great things at ASP
By Paul Parkinson, Director of Finance
I would like to introduce Sherrie Storimans. She has been an integral part of the accounting department since May 2017.
Utilizing her skills and experience, Sherrie is responsible for the payroll for ASP, which includes 2,000 individual payments bi-weekly. It is no easy feat, but she captures all the nuances that exist with our unique operations, in addition to employee requests for vacation payouts or other changes.
With the COVID-19 impact, Sherrie has also needed to switch gears to ensure the employee Record of Employments are issued on a timely basis. Thanks for the support from Giselle Lopes and HR in getting this accomplished on a timely basis. Sherrie, I want to give a special thanks to all that you have accomplished.
By Jasmine Khimany and Neeru Panjwani, Managers – Human Resources
It is our pleasure to welcome Ms. Kristina Pawlak and Ms. Tanya Gautam to the ASP Family.
Kristina joined us as Human Resources Administrator in the Commercial and Residential division. She studied Human Resources at Seneca College. Kristina worked in Human Resources for over 2 years and gained expertise in full cycle recruitment, new hire orientation, HRIS data management and employee relations. She was also a certified Health and Safety Committee member in her past organization. Kristina is looking out to branch out to learn more about everything Human Resources has to offer. We are looking forward to her addition in the team.
Team YYC is excited to welcome their new addition in the Human Resources department. Ms. Tanya Gautam joined as Human Resources Recruiter and Coordinator for Calgary branch. In her role, she will be responsible for end-to-end employee life cycle management. Tanya studied Human Resources at York University, Toronto. She has worked as HR Generalist with Can Tech Services prior to joining us. Tanya also has over 5 years of training experience in the Hospitality industry in India and Middle East. With a wide range of experience and expertise in recruitment, training and personal management, we are confident that Tanya will bring in further advancement in the department.
By Sherrie Storimans, Accounting and Payroll Administrator
Did you have a birthday in January, February or March? Blow out your candles and make a wish! Look for your name in the following pages.
By Asad Abbas, RES/CIC Service Delivery Manager
As you are all aware, the world is going through some tough times. We are lucky enough to be a part of a family organization that has so many talented, hardworking and dedicated people that allow us to be second to none.
I wanted to take this opportunity to recognize a few staff who have been absolutely amazing and have sacrificed so much over the last couple of months. Both Ibrahim and Miguel have taken it upon themselves to not only do their jobs well, but also to support everyone else around them. They have sacrificed so much of their family and personal time to make sure the business continues to run at a high level.
Ibrahim Za’Balawi is working as the Site Supervisor at 33 Shorebreeze within ASP Security. He joined ASP in July, 2018. He was promoted to Site Supervisor of 33 ShoreBreeze in August, 2019. He has more than 9 years of security experience.
Ibrahim has shown great leadership and dependability for the past one and half years, with praise from both his coworkers and clients. He is instrumental in implementing new policies on site. He has introduced different initiatives on the site for his team, which is leading to better team morale and efficiency. He is always willing to go above and beyond in protecting ASP’s interest and reputation by helping his team and fulfilling the client’s expectation. He is a very important member of our ASP family and I wish him best of luck. Keep it up Ibrahim!
Miguel Bermudez is working as a Specialist at St. Lawrence Market. He joined ASP in November, 2017 as a concierege. He worked very hard and was promoted to Specialist position in September, 2018.
He is always willing to help his team to assist with taking the site to the next level. He proved himself as a highly reliable member of his team which is why his team members rely on him heavily. In these difficult times we had situations where some of our staff had been quarantined and Miguel stepped up and showed great leadership and knowledge. He not only helped his team, but he made sure client expectations were met. He worked long hours and despite tiring schedules; he is always ready to do more. He is definitely a rising star and great member of the ASP family.
By Deborah (Debbie) Ciccotelli, Vice-President, Strategic Initiatives
There have been many changes in our Human Resources Department in the first quarter of 2020! We now have an amazing new HR leadership team in place, who have both the strong formal HR education and practical hands on experience required to assist us in growing the company, while ensuring that we remain loyal to our cultural values of teamwork, integrity, fairness, compassion and respect.
Sarah Northrup
Sarah Northrup joined ASP as our new Director of Human Resources on March 16, amidst COVID-19 pandemic preparations and response planning; she immediately fit in and supported the organization as if she had been with us for many years.
In her new role, Sarah oversees the day-to-day operations of human resources and acts as a key adviser to the senior leadership team. She also works closely with the human resources team to develop strategy and create a professional, integrated, customer-focused culture within the department and across the organization.
Sarah is an experienced and passionate HR leader who values integrity, respect, hard work and diversity, which makes her a perfect match for the ASP family. As the past HR Director of Sunwing, Sarah managed a team of seven HR Managers and Specialists working with a group of 25,000+ employees in Canada, the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean, where she was respected as thought leader in human rights, inclusion, diversity and employee engagement. Sarah has extensive experience in HR disciplines within both the Federal and Provincial labour codes and in an aviation environment, as well as in employee/labour relations, recruitment, collective agreement administration, and collective bargaining.
Sarah holds a Human Resources Management Certificate from Ryerson University and she is currently enrolled in Bachelor of Arts at Queen’s University. Sarah has her CHRL Designation, HRPA (CANADA) and SPHR Certification, HRCI (USA) and she has completed numerous HR Training programs including Predictive Index/Talent Optimization, Labour Relations and Workplace Investigation Training.
We are looking forward to continuing to evolve and enhance our HR Department; we are confident that Sarah will be instrumental in shaping our culture and supporting corporate goals by leading and delivering a relevant and influential HR Department.
Neeru Panjwani
Neeru joined ASP in 2019 and in January 2020 was promoted from her previous role as HR Generalist to HR Manager for our Aviation Division.
Over the course of 2019, Neeru was been instrumental in developing and transforming many ASP HR programs and processes which were critical to stabilize HR following the significant growth of the business. Neeru is highly respected at all levels throughout the organization and her dedication, effort and commitment to the company has been outstanding.
Prior to joining ASP, Neeru had 10+ years HR leadership experience in her home country of India, where she gained experience in recruitment and selection, performance management, talent development and employee relations.
Neeru has a Post-Graduation Diploma in Human Resource Management and in 2018, she completed the Human Resources Bridging Program at Humber College. She currently working towards her CHRL designation.
Jasmine Khimany
Jasmine Khimany joined ASP in February 2020 as our new HR Manager, Residential/Commercial Division and already she has demonstrated that she is a valuable addition to both HR and RES/CIC Departments.
Prior to joining ASP, Jasmine was the Site HR Manager for Concentrix. She is experienced in engaging both leaders and employees in the development and delivery HR processes, procedures, practice and in employee relations and engagement.
Jasmine holds a Bachelor’s in Human Resources Management from Ryerson University and an Advanced Diploma in Human Resources Management from Sheridan College. She is a Joint Health and Safety Certified Management Member and holds her CHRP designation.
ASP is extremely fortunate to have such brilliant HR leadership team members, who we know are as passionate as we are about the company and who are committed to making ASP an “Employer of Choice”. Please join me in congratulating Sarah, Neeru and Jasmine in their new HR leadership roles and warmly welcoming Sarah and Jasmine to the ASP family.
