Women of the West March 2023 Newsletter
Keryn • March 10, 2023

Welcome “Women of the West” members to our March Newsletter. March – do you believe it. It feels like yesterday that I put together our December newsletter. 


So, what's the market like?

 

There is a lot of talk in the media about the current economic climate, we are starting to notice a slight shift in the market due to this, however strong candidates are still in the position that they are highly sort after and getting snapped up quickly. The trend over the last 2 years has been an extraordinarily strong permanent market however we are noticing that temporary and contract demand is starting to climb again. Unemployment rates are still exceptionally low however expected to gradually increase over the next 2 years. It is still a candidate driven market, but the heat of the market from last year has cooled off a bit and there is a bit more caution in hiring decisions. 

 

Hot Topic for this newsletter: Onboarding 

 

Onboarding was a hot topic at our breakfast event last year and there was 100% agreement on how critical getting this process right is key to the success of your new team member getting up to speed with their roles, understanding the company culture, and integrating them into the team. 

 

Here are 4 tips from the team at Veritas. 


  1. Stay Connected: in the lead up to the new employee starting, keep in regular contact over the phone, connect on LinkedIn. Invite them in to meet with the team so they are comfortable on day one - Victoria Farrow 
  2. Assign a buddy this person should be responsible for showing them around, answering questions, and providing support as needed - Debbie Hannaford 
  3. Feedback is your friend Get feedback on the onboarding experience and continually refine the process. - Keryn Drew 
  4. Create a fantastic first impression. Onboarding starts as early as the interview process, so set the tone right from the beginning. Be engaging, keep the process flowing smoothly, show off your culture and what you have to offer as a business, introduce the team and senior leadership members. Explain the company's culture, values, and mission, and provide an overview of their job responsibilities and expectations - Natalie Pedemont 

 

State of the Nation – An economic update 

 

The latest ABS data from January 2023 shows that the unemployment rate remained at 3.5%. SEEK reported that job ads fell by 1.6% in February and are down 12.2% from Feb 2022, however applications are also down by 1.8%. 

 

Some of the trends that may shape the workplace in 2023: 


  1. Hybrid work arrangements will continue to be high on potential employee’s priority list. 
  2. Flexible work arrangements are also being adopted, these include flexible hours or even job sharing. 
  3. The rise of AI is transforming the way we work, some jobs may be replaced by AI however new jobs will be created in fields such as data analysis and machine programming. 
  4. A focus on employee wellbeing is a trend that will continue in 2023. Employers may offer more mental health resources and other benefits to support wellbeing. 
  5. A greater emphasis on diversity and inclusion, implementing more inclusive hiring practices and offering diversity and inclusion training to their existing teams. 
  6. Skills training and development opportunities to help staff stay current and engaged in an ever-evolving workplace 

 

Some Inspiration 


An inspiring podcast series referred by Natalie Pedemont is Work Life with Adam Grant.

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes . art is knowing which ones to keep.

Adam Grant is an Organisational Psychologist who takes you inside the minds of some of the world’s most unusual professionals to explore the science of making work not suck (his words!). 

 

Natalie found this podcast inspiring - Nat loves learning about the different strategies people employ to work more effectively and creatively whilst having fun and finding meaning in what they do, and the speakers are interesting and entertaining. 


Member in the Spotlight 


Jo Tomaszewski 

Operations Manager (NSW) MaxiTRANS

A woman wearing glasses and a plaid shirt is sitting at a desk.

What have you enjoyed about the women of the west events?  They’re always helpful and informative, and on topics that are relevant and useful. I enjoy the fact that everyone is always made to feel comfortable and included. I also like that some events are online where it's easy to attend, but also with some live events face to face. 

 

What has been your favourite topic to date?  I like the topics in both Alison Shamir and Amy Leahy’s sessions. Also, the live session was great talking about recruitment and onboarding tips. Sorry, couldn’t choose just one! 

 

Tell me your biggest achievement either professional or personal in the last 12 months.  Professional would be being promoted from Service Operations Manager to Operations Manager (NSW) last year, and personal is running 85km during March to raise over $1,800 for the cancer council.  

 

What are you goals for 2023?  Complete the Management course I’m currently doing, continue coaching and supporting my team as well as building on it by hiring a couple more people (as we’re growing so rapidly!), and continue running.  

 

*Note from Keryn if you want to help Jo achieve her fundraising goal for the March Charge follow this link 

 

Final note 

 

In March we celebrated International Womens Day, the women at Veritas share what being a woman means to them. 

In one word describe what being a women means to you

Looking forward to seeing many of your faces at our future events and as always, any ideas are much appreciated. 


Keryn Drew   


Tune into our socials and don’t forget to join our Women of the West LinkedIn group to stay up to date with the latest news and announcements!

By Urszula Lusk March 27, 2025
In this reflective article, we explore the challenges of unapologetically owning your achievements, overcoming self-doubt, and silencing the inner critic. Learn how shifting focus to self-belief and meaningful impact can help you rise above negativity and keep shining—without apology.
Elements Recruitment team casually talking with each other.
By Urszula Lusk March 13, 2025
We’re excited to share with you an announcement that the Veritas NSW business has rebranded to Elements Recruitment. This change isn’t just about a new name; it’s a reflection of our evolution and commitment to staying at the forefront in a constantly shifting industry. We wanted our brand to align with who we are today while embracing the innovation that has become a core part of our journey. A Journey of Growth and Transformation When we launched Veritas Recruitment 15 years ago, our focus, approach, and identity were worlds apart from where they sit now. Over the years, we have honed our expertise, embraced technology & innovation, and actively embraced our industry’s transformation. Our new name, brand, colours and logo represents this journey and align with the values that we uphold today. A modern, strategic, and deeply connected approach to the elements of recruitment, talent management, and career development. Independence and Growth We’re excited to take full ownership of our journey as a business centered by its geography in Western Sydney. Rebranding to Elements Recruitment allows us to build an identity which is uniquely ours and reflects the strength, agility and expertise we bring to the recruitment space. Change enables us to take full control of our brand, messaging and strategic direction in a way which suits where and who we are. We have the freedom to innovate, automate and create new and bespoke solutions whilst maintaining the human eye which sets us apart. What This Means for Our Clients and Partners While our name and visual identity have changed in NSW our partnership with the Veritas Melbourne teams remains strong. Both Victorian offices will continue to operate under the Veritas Brand and our 3 offices will continue to operate with a national presence. We will continue sharing expertise and resources, learning from each other and ensuring seamless collaboration and continuity for our candidates and clients. From an operational standpoint, there will be no disruption, our ABN and ACN remain the same. Why Elements? It Reflects Our Values Recruitment is more than just filling roles—it’s about bringing together the right elements to help careers, teams and businesses thrive. Our new name represents the critical role we play in shaping long-term success through strategic recruitment and selection. Inspired by Nature and Growth Much like the natural elements work in harmony to create balance, so do the key aspects of our work. Careers flourish through a mix of progress, endurance, evolution, and sustainability and these are values we integrate into every partnership. It Represents the Stages of Careers and Recruitment Every career and recruitment process consists of distinct elements—learning, growth, challenge, and success. In recruitment, these elements manifest through strategy, search, selection, and placement. Our role is to bring them together to create meaningful connections and drive change. A Name That Evolves with You Just as businesses and careers continue to evolve, Elements Recruitment represents our commitment to adaptability, innovation, and staying ahead in the ever-changing world of work. Why a Circle? A rebrand goes beyond a name, it’s a visual identity that represents our ethos. Our new logo, an unbroken loop, symbolises wholeness, unity, and balance, reflecting the continuous flow of change in careers and business. This shape, paired with our rich green colour palette, is inspired by nature—a nod to our personal passion for the mountains, oceans and outdoors and the elements that fuel our mindset and approach to work. A circle also represents completion and harmony, much like the recruitment process, where every step - skills, culture, aspirations, and strategy needs to align seamlessly for long-term success. A circle is fluid and infinite, mirroring the ever-evolving nature of businesses, careers, and professional growth. It symbolises the connections we create and the ongoing support provided to clients, candidates and each other during our journeys. We continue to remain dedicated to creating lasting connections, delivering innovative solutions, and providing unwavering support to both clients and candidates as they navigate their careers. We’re excited for this new chapter and look forward to continuing our journey with you and being able to nurture every element of your career, team, business and growth.
A man is pressing a button on a virtual screen.
March 1, 2025
Thinking about a new career? Or simply looking to plan out your professional development and keep your skills sharp for an evolving job marketplace?