Why is it so difficult to find a job in Canada?
It’s no longer a jobseekers’ job market, based on the findings from a recent report.
Nearly six in 10 (57%) jobseekers say it will be difficult to find a job in the next six months, reports Express Employment Professionals.
And many unemployed Canadians face longer periods of unemployment, with nearly two in five (38%) reporting they have been unemployed for more than two years.
Overall, Canadian jobseekers are more pessimistic about their opportunities, signaling they have lost the upper hand in the job market they had in the previous few years to employers, according to the report.
One of the reasons why youth unemployment in Canada is so high is the sheer number of young people in the country entering the employment age, according to an expert from the Bank of Montreal (BMO).
Why is it difficult to find a job in Canada?
More jobseekers (38%) now believe there are fewer job opportunities overall compared with data from both fall and spring 2023 (31%), according to Express’ survey of over 500 Canadian adults, conducted by The Harris Poll between May 28 and June 10, 2024.
There has also been a significant decline in the number of jobseekers who believe there are more job opportunities in their field (20%) compared to a year ago (27% in Fall 2023 and 33% in Spring 2023).
Even graduates with advanced degrees are finding it hard to land employment, according to a previous report.
Another sign that the job market has shifted is that, while most job seekers want to accept full-time positions (80%), jobseekers are now more willing to accept other options, according to Express.
These include:
- part-time positions (47% compared to 38% in Spring 2023)
- temporary or seasonal positions (28% compared to 16% in Spring 2023)
- positions below their most recent pay level (15% compared to 7% in Spring 2023)
Even those currently employed and looking for new job opportunities are worried about the state of the labour market. These workers are seeking better compensation (46%), better work-life balance (44% compared to 35% in Spring 2023) and better growth opportunities in their current field (43% compared to 30% in Spring 2023).
However, they are worried about:
- not getting the raise they deserve (47%)
- a slowdown in work opportunities due to the economy (32%)
- their company reducing the workforce due to the economic climate (27%)
- AI/technology replacing their position (23%, which is a significant increase from 12% in Spring 2023).
Despite major ambitions in relation to AI, technology leaders across the world are struggling to find and retain talent with relevant skills, according to a previous report.
