Unparalleled

Exceptional. It’s a word that carries weight. But to describe Mercer Bradley, I think unparalleled best captures my experience with them.

Back in 2019, I was working an entry-level position in the accounting department at one of the largest law firms in Western Canada. I sought the counsel of a friend — a highly respected partner at the firm — because I was starting to feel stagnant. It felt like time to take the next step in my career; she handed me the business card of Angela Chambers at Mercer Bradley. I didn’t go through them for my next role, but the very fact that someone I admired recommended them spoke volumes.

Fast forward to late September 2023: I received an email from Tara Hearn, a recruiting coordinator from Mercer Bradley. My name had been given as a confidential reference for a former coworker. Not long after, I found myself job hunting and figured—why not roll the dice? I already had her contact info.

We had our formal virtual meeting in mid-December, and I felt truly seen. She understood me, and I was able to be completely honest with her about the challenges I was facing. Despite countless interviews, I kept hitting the same wall: either I was considered too experienced — expected to get bored and leave — or I lacked experience in specific tasks that had been gatekept by middle management at previous jobs.

Tara asked me to describe my dream job. At first, I felt borderline arrogant, listing off all the things I wanted. But she encouraged it – this was about getting to know me, so I played along. I wanted something close to home, specifically along a bus route and no more than 30 minutes away. I needed a team that clicked with my personality. I’m a funny, outgoing guy, and I wanted to actually enjoy spending 40 hours a week with my coworkers. I needed room for growth and career progression. I didn’t want “just a boss,” not in the traditional sense at least. I wanted more than a supervisor simply placing an “approved” stamp on my work. I wanted a mentor – someone who could guide me and help me grow by showing me how my work contributes to the bigger picture.

With such a long list of demands, I wondered if I’d overreached. Somehow, some way, Tara made it happen—and in a timeline that seemed too good to be true. Shortly after the holidays on January 5, 2024, I had my interview with Greg, the Director of Finance for a manufacturing company, regarding a three-month term position. I aced the interview and started shortly after. Just six weeks into my term, the fit was so right that I was offered a permanent position.

Funnily enough, I turned to Greg as a research subject and asked him what made him choose Mercer Bradley. He told me that ten years ago, he’d been in the same boat I had found myself in before, ready for the next step, and it was Angela Chambers who helped him. His own experience was so impactful that in his new leadership role, he made Mercer Bradley his go-to for filling vacancies.

Mercer Bradley doesn’t just place people in jobs; they create long-term connections that stand the test of time itself, doing justice to employers and job seekers alike. Seeing how much trust leaders like Greg place in Mercer Bradley gives me confidence that, when I’m in a position to build a team of my own, I’ll know exactly who to call.

How’s that for exceptional?

~ Edward M