Almost half of Canadian job seekers (46%) believe there will be fewer job opportunities in their field in 2025 compared to a year ago, according to a new Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey. This is a significant increase from 2024’s survey when only 31% of job seekers expected fewer job opportunities than the previous year.While one-third of job seekers (36%) believe opportunities in their field in 2025 will remain consistent with 2024, less than 1 in 5 (18%) believe there will be more job opportunities this year in their field.Pessimism prevails as almost two-thirds (62%) say it will be difficult to find a job in the next six months, while 38% believe obtaining employment in that time will be easy.Other key findings include:Job Search Duration: Around half of job seekers (56%) believe they can find a job within six months, a significant decrease from 63% a year ago. The remaining 44% believe it will take them more than six months to find a job, up from 37% last year.Motivations for Job Change: Employed job seekers are primarily looking for better compensation (43%), improved work-life balance (41%) and better growth opportunities (36%).Job Preferences: Most Canadian job seekers (75%) are willing to accept full-time positions, while two in five are willing to accept part-time positions (40%), 28% are willing to accept contract/freelance positions, and 21% are willing to accept temporary or seasonal work.Challenges: The most significant challenges listed by job seekers include finding opportunities that match their qualifications (57%), securing jobs with the pay they need to cover basic expenses (49%) and standing out in a competitive market (46%). Interestingly, women are more likely to reply that it will be challenging to secure a job that pays enough to cover expenses (55% vs. 44% of men) and stand out (51% vs. 42% of men).Barriers: The top barriers to employment are lacking skills (hard skills, soft skills or communication skills) (39%), companies claiming to be hiring but merely collecting applicants/resumes to review (34%) and being underqualified (28%). Gen Z are most likely to report being underqualified as a significant barrier (43% compared to 25% for millennials, 30% for Gen X and 10% for boomers).On the brighter side, 37% of job seekers expect overall wages to increase in 2025, while 51% expect wages to remain steady. Three-quarters (73%) report that they would likely leave companies with inadequate pay or benefits as soon as possible, and a large majority (84%) would hesitate to refer others to such companies.January is the perfect time for job seekers to re-evaluate career goals and sharpen their skills to make them more marketable in the new year, according to Alisha Chappell, Express Employment International Talent Acquisition and Retention Director."Explore job postings for positions that interest you to identify any gaps in your technical skills," Chappell advises. "Then, consider enrolling in online courses or pursuing certifications to bridge those gaps and increase expertise in your field."Take some time to reflect on how you can enhance your interpersonal abilities (soft skills). While specialized knowledge is crucial, many employers are willing to provide training for candidates who demonstrate strong soft skills, such as eagerness to learn, punctuality, a positive attitude, excellent communication and teamwork."Job seekers should highlight these skills on resumes and cover letters to help hiring managers immediately recognize valuable attributes, increasing chances of standing out in a competitive job market."Navigating the job market in 2025 requires resilience and adaptability," said Bill Stoller, Express Employment International CEO. "As job seekers face a dynamic landscape, those who remain proactive and open to continuous learning will find opportunities even in uncertain times. The key to success lies in leveraging one's unique strengths and staying prepared to pivot as the market evolves."The Job Seeker Report was conducted online within Canada by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals from Nov. 21 to Dec. 6, 2024, among 505 adults.
