Job Seekers in Toronto Face Increasing Challenges Amid High Unemployment.
When Joy Ojehanon arrived in Toronto from Nigeria seven years ago, she envisioned a bright future filled with professional success. However, despite her qualifications in child and youth care, her job search has been a series of rejections, often due to her lack of Canadian experience. Even after obtaining a degree and working weekends at a shelter, she remains unable to secure full-time employment and faces nearly $50,000 in student debt.
Ojehanon’s struggle is a common story in Toronto, where the unemployment rate reached 7.9% in May, according to Statistics Canada. Many job seekers, like Zeesy Powers and Krista Silegren, share similar experiences of applying to hundreds of positions with little success. Powers, a health science graduate, secured only a part-time contract after months of searching, while Silegren, with double master’s degrees, now works part-time far from her field of expertise.
The high competition for jobs is evident, with some postings attracting up to 300 applications. Michael French from Robert Half noted that employers have become very particular about qualifications, making it difficult for many to find jobs matching their skills. Career coach Allison Lockett emphasized the importance of differentiation and crafting tailored resumes to stand out in the crowded job market.
As Toronto’s job seekers navigate these challenges, they face uncertainty and financial strain, highlighting the need for more support and opportunities to help them achieve their professional aspirations.