Building a dream team at Markham Fertility

What’s in a Dream Team?

At Markham Fertility Centre, we’re committed to the ongoing work of nurturing a great team and a thriving workplace.

The why seems simple. A happier, more inspired team will lead to better outcomes. For Markham Fertility, the impact is monumental; it means more families are completed, more dreams come true, and more patients are well supported through some of the hardest times of their lives.  

But it is more than that. 

On average, we spend a third of our lifetime at work. It is not enough to get a paycheque. To be the best and feel our best, we need much more than that. 

Support, connection, purpose, challenge, growth, and the reward of helping others are all high on the list. 

Let’s be honest, Human Resources can get a bad rap. Here I am doing it, and trust me, I take part in all the self-deprecating HR jokes. Heck, I start most of them. 

Truly, though, I am proud. Putting the puzzle pieces together to form a strong team is an honour. It involves ongoing work in recruitment, hiring, and retention. 

Let’s talk recruitment. You have a vacancy. There are the standard to-dos: dust off the job description, place your job posting on the hiring platforms. Then start reviewing hundreds of resumes… these are the basics. But who wants to be basic? 

Here is some of what I have learned about the recruitment part of building a dream team. 

The Dream Team: Know your team and respect their house

A candidate may have all the experience and every credential to check the boxes as a hire, but if they are not a good fit personality-wise, it won’t work. Someone with strong emotional intelligence, a positive attitude, and a thirst for learning can elevate your team and build on the skills they already have. I am not saying hire someone unqualified, not at all. But consider the ability to bond with and thrive with your team as an essential requirement. My top priority is to protect our ecosystem here. It needs to be healthy for our team and for our patients, all of whom will suffer from it if it is not. 

Sidenote: lean on your team for insights here. Share in the hiring and orientation process. Listen to the feedback of others. We are all biased, like it or not. Even in an HR department of one, we are a team. 

Be open to new relationships and connections

Even if someone’s title is not something you are hiring for, you never know. Connect with people. Ask what they want to learn, do, or expand into. Opportunity comes to those who listen and have open minds. Talk to people in your industry about what they see, what they bring, and where they want to go. Life can unfold in funny ways when you say yes, ask questions, and take a moment to meet. Suddenly, there may be a gap that needs to be filled, and you’ll know what to do.

Sidenote: People don’t need a promise of a job to talk to you, and you don’t need to have a job opening to talk to them. You represent your organization; why not be the face of accessibility, openness, and kindness?

Ask what the organization can do for them (and mean it)

It’s not all about you (or your company). People want to do good things, but people have needs. It is not always the obvious things like pay or vacation time. Sometimes it is a start time 30 minutes later than the job posting. Sometimes it is being able to do daycare pickup. People feel valued when they are supported in developing their skills, advancing their education, or having a work-life balance.  Asking a potential hire what they need, both professionally and personally, shows that your organization views employees as people and cares for them completely.

Sidenote: If your organization supports the dreams of its employees, shout that from the rooftops. At MFC, we have tale after tale of employees who have started at entry-level positions and are now living out or working towards their dream. There have been inspired nurses, embryologists, and genetic counsellors, to name a few. Sometimes they stay, and sometimes their passion takes them somewhere else, but MFC helped shape and support their dreams. This is what a good organization does. This will create a reputation built on good ethos and a rewarding culture. 

Recruitment is just the beginning, but done right, it can open doors both for your organization and your people. Make sure you take care of your work family. Be open and transparent. Build something out of mutual respect and common benefit. This is a solid foundation to be the best and bring the best onboard. 

Here are just a few reflections from our dream team about what this looks and feels like in real life:

From my first interview with you through my first weeks of orientation and beyond, everyone at MFC has been friendly and candid and kind, and I have felt comfortable being myself, asking questions, and just sharing in my excitement of learning more about this amazing field. Over the past 8 weeks I’ve learned and experienced a tremendous amount, from getting to watch some of the amazing work that goes on in the lab, to building my comfort with leading education sessions, to nailing down some of the more intricate (and annoying!) aspects of eIVF, all while having fun and feeling like I’ve joined not just a workplace, but a community. One of the first things I noticed when I started working here was that everyone really seems to enjoy working here and working with each other, and I think that makes for a great workplace and a great team.
— Tess, RN, Markham Fertility Centre

When I first started looking for a job, I was mainly searching for positions close to where I live. Finding a job in the field of fertility care seemed like a distant dream at the time, even though I had worked in this area in my home country.
And then—I won the lottery. From the moment I walked in here, I knew I had arrived. I felt at home. Everyone has been incredibly kind and supportive.
I’ve been working here for almost three months now, and there hasn’t been a single day when I didn’t feel happy to come to work.
I’ve found friends—and a second family.
Everyone here is truly a wonderful person.
— Krisztina, RN, Markham Fertility Centre

I just wanted to say how much I appreciated the whole recruitment process. The job posting really caught my attention because the description, roles, and responsibilities were clear and easy to understand. I also liked how the process was laid out from our one-on-one chat, which helped me see if the role was a good fit for what I’m looking for, to the second interview with the Nursing Team. That gave me a chance to ask questions and learn more about what the job has to offer. The clinic tour was such a nice touch too! It was great meeting some of the team and seeing the space. It also helped me get a feel for the commute and the overall vibe of the clinic. Thanks again for the warm welcome and the great experience so far!
— Marvi, RN, Markham Fertility Centre

Get in touch

See our Careers page for open positions.

If you have questions or would like to reach out to me, you can do so at:

Rebecca Robinson, Business Operations Manager, MFC
rebeccar@markhamfertility.com