Survey shows 46% expect fewer job prospects in 2025, with skills gaps and competition posing challenges
According to a survey by Express Employment Professionals and Harris Poll, 46 percent of Canadian job seekers believe their field will have fewer job opportunities in 2025 compared to the previous year.
This figure reflects a significant increase in pessimism from 2024, when only 31 percent anticipated reduced opportunities.
While 36 percent of job seekers expect job availability to remain steady, only 18 percent foresee an increase in opportunities within their fields this year.
The survey reveals additional challenges, with 62 percent of respondents indicating it will be difficult to secure employment within the next six months.
By contrast, 38 percent believe finding a job during that timeframe will be easy. Among those seeking employment, 56 percent believe they can secure a position within six months, though this is a decline from the 63 percent who felt confident about the same timeframe last year.
Conversely, 44 percent now estimate it will take them more than six months to find a job, an increase from 37 percent in 2024.
For employed job seekers, better compensation remains a leading motivation for exploring new roles, cited by 43 percent of respondents.
Other key drivers include the desire for improved work-life balance, noted by 41 percent, and better opportunities for growth, highlighted by 36 percent.
When asked about job preferences, 75 percent of respondents expressed a willingness to accept full-time positions.
A smaller proportion, 40 percent, indicated openness to part-time roles, while 28 percent would consider contract or freelance work.
Temporary or seasonal positions are acceptable to 21 percent of job seekers.
Many job seekers report facing notable challenges in their search. A majority, 57 percent, struggle to find roles that align with their qualifications, while 49 percent express difficulty in securing positions that offer sufficient pay to cover basic expenses.
Additionally, 46 percent find it hard to stand out in the competitive job market. Gender differences emerged, with women more likely than men to face challenges in securing adequately paid roles (55 percent versus 44 percent) and in distinguishing themselves in the market (51 percent versus 42 percent).
Barriers to employment also remain significant. Lacking hard or soft skills, including communication abilities, is reported by 39 percent of job seekers as a major obstacle.
Some 34 percent attribute their struggles to companies advertising roles without actively hiring, while 28 percent feel underqualified for the positions they pursue.
Younger job seekers, particularly Gen Z, are the most likely to identify being underqualified as a challenge, with 43 percent acknowledging this barrier, compared to 25 percent of millennials, 30 percent of Gen X, and 10 percent of boomers.
Despite these difficulties, optimism about wage growth persists. While 37 percent of job seekers expect wages to rise in 2025, 51 percent believe they will remain steady.
Dissatisfaction with pay and benefits continues to influence decisions, as 73 percent of job seekers report they would leave companies failing to meet their compensation expectations. Moreover, 84 percent indicate they would hesitate to recommend such employers to others.
Alisha Chappell, talent acquisition and retention director at Express Employment International, advises job seekers to use the new year as an opportunity to enhance their marketability.
“Explore job postings for positions that interest you to identify any gaps in your technical skills,” she says. “Then, consider enrolling in online courses or pursuing certifications to bridge those gaps and increase expertise in your field.”
She also emphasizes the importance of soft skills, urging job seekers to reflect on how they can enhance interpersonal abilities. Chappell highlights qualities such as eagerness to learn, punctuality, a positive attitude, strong communication, and teamwork as attributes that employers value highly.
Bill Stoller, CEO of Express Employment International, encourages resilience in navigating a dynamic job market. “Navigating the job market in 2025 requires resilience and adaptability,” he states.
“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.”
