We recruit management, leadership, and hard-to-fill technical professionals for construction and manufacturing companies across Canada and the US. Every search is built around your business, with the experience, judgment, and personal attention to get an important hire right.
10 years. 400+ placements. Canada & US.
You need the right person, and you need to know the search is in good hands. We bring thought, strategy and sound judgment to the whole job—from the people we pursue to the way we represent your business and work through the hiring decision with you.
Experience matters. So does where someone has worked, the responsibility they’ve carried and what they’re ready to take on next. We get to know what you need this person to accomplish and the business they’ll be joining, then use that understanding to target the right people.
We approach them directly, with a clear reason for reaching out. We connect your opportunity to their experience and ambitions, giving people who weren’t looking a reason to pay attention.
You get candidates who understand the opportunity and are interested in exploring it, along with our honest assessment of what they bring, where the gaps are and what still needs a closer look. If the experience you need and the salary you’re offering don’t line up with the market, we’ll tell you. You need a clear picture before you decide whom to hire.
A search takes time and attention, even when you’re working with a recruiter. Our job is to take that work on and carry it through, so you can get back to running your business.
We handle the research, outreach and candidate communication, manage the process through interviews, and work through the verbal offer and negotiations.
You’ll hear from us every couple of days, know where things stand and have someone alongside you when there’s a decision to make.
You stay involved where your judgment matters, with the information and support to make those decisions.
Every person we approach gets an impression of your company. That matters in industries where people know one another and word travels.
We make a thoughtful case for joining your business, keep candidates informed and handle conversations with care—even when someone doesn’t get the job. They may be a future hire, customer or business partner. Those relationships are worth looking after.
When it makes sense for the search, we can market the opportunity under your company’s name, with messaging you approve and an approach that fits your culture and processes. Whether we approach people under your name or ours, your reputation is in our hands. We take that seriously.
I’m Alison Fleischauer, founder of Next Step Recruitment. I’ve spent 10 years in recruitment and personally placed more than 400 people.
I like getting to know the business behind a hire: what you’re building, what needs attention and how the right person could help you move forward.
I lead each search, supported by our research and outreach team. You’ll work directly with me, with straightforward advice and someone who takes responsibility for seeing the search through.
Before committing to a full recruiting engagement, start with a focused strategy session to evaluate your hiring position and next best move.
$500 USD
A strategic working session designed for SMBs who want to validate role scope, compensation positioning, and hiring approach before entering the talent market.
Role and compensation review
Inbound vs. outbound viability
Internal bandwidth evaluation
Candidate Perspective Audit
Competitive Snapshot
Clear, honest next-step recommendations
Best for founders, operators, and hiring managers who are:
Clarity on whether to move forward now, refine the role first, or choose a different support model.
Not every hiring need requires the same level of support. We offer flexible ways to work together based on your hiring goals, internal bandwidth, and urgency.

Expert guidance for teams running hiring internally. Support with role setup, hiring process structure, messaging, and market positioning so your team can execute with more confidence.

Flexible recruiting support where you need it most. On-demand help for outreach, screening, interview coordination, process improvements, and hiring operations support.

Focused sourcing support for specific hiring needs. Short-term, high-focus sourcing support to build candidate momentum for hard-to-fill roles or time-sensitive searches.

Hands-on recruiting ownership from search strategy through candidate management and hiring process support when a full search is the best fit.

Ongoing recruiting support for recurring hiring needs. Consistent market engagement and pipeline support for teams that hire regularly and need steady recruiting momentum month to month.
Start with a Hiring Clarity Session. We’ll assess your hiring position and recommend the most appropriate next step — whether that’s DIY support, a sourcing sprint, ongoing pipeline help, or full-service recruiting.

“Alison didn’t just aim to fill a role, she was determined to find candidates who not only excelled in their roles but also seamlessly integrated into our company culture. Her tireless efforts and commitment to finding top talent have been invaluable to our company’s growth and success.”

“Here is what Alison can do: pitch her what you want, use your own words, do not care about consistency or market alignment, just tell her what you feel the candidate should look like and she will be smart for you, which is what you expect from any expert.”

“Alison successfully sourced multiple candidates for a challenging position, demonstrating a deep understanding of the job market and the importance of a swift hiring process. Her efficiency, personable approach, and ability to refine the role exceeded our expectations.”

“Alison’s outstanding communication and constructive feedback helped me secure an excellent position. She was professional, positive, and incredibly supportive throughout the entire process, making sure I felt confident and well-prepared.”

“Alison’s personable approach made me feel incredibly supported throughout the process. She brings a refreshing touch to recruiting.”

“Alison’s deep industry knowledge helped us fill a tough technical role quickly. Her targeted approach made the entire hiring process seamless.”

“Next Step’s professionalism and availability made the hiring process stress-free. I highly recommend them for senior-level recruitment.”

“Next Step Recruitment combined professionalism with a personal touch, making me feel supported throughout the entire process. They truly care about their candidates and went above and beyond to ensure my success.“

“Alison stands out from the rest—she cares deeply about both candidates and companies, creating win-win scenarios. She placed me in an executive role and has been my go-to for industry insights ever since.“

“Alison’s expertise helped me significantly improve my CV and stand out to employers. Her support and advice were invaluable throughout the job search.“

“Next Step’s high placement success rate speaks to their dedication and expertise. Alison placed me in what feels like my dream job, and their personalized guidance made all the difference.“

“Alison matched me perfectly with a financial controller role and provided great insights about the company. Her patience and experience made the process smooth and successful.”

“Next Step Recruitment was pivotal in helping me transition to my new career. Their support and responsiveness were key to my success.”

“Alison’s kindness, professionalism, and clear communication made the entire process seamless. She kept me updated every step of the way.”

“Alison’s professionalism and support were outstanding, even though the role wasn’t the right fit for me. She truly advocated for both me and the employer, which is rare in a recruiter.”