Students face an uphill climb as they graduate and enter the workforce. 

There is little doubt that the Toronto job market is highly competitive. However, this competition is tougher for students and fresh graduates.  

Based on the Canadian Government’s Job Bank website, employment in Toronto’s economic region increased from November 2022 to November 2023. However, the unemployment rate also went to 6.4 per cent, up 0.4 points. 

Despite this growth, many students and fresh graduates still find themselves having to resort to general jobs or positions that are irrelevant to their field of study. 

Pezhman Ghanbari, a student of Business-Finance at George Brown College (GBC) currently works two general jobs at The Beer Store and Lululemon Athletica Inc.  

He has applied for several job positions in banks and insurance companies but has not been successful.  

“I think we need Canadian job experience to find the proper job and to progress. I don’t think you can find a good job by just having your resume or your own,” he says.  

Haleh Fooladi, another Business-Finance student at GBC, shared that she applied for more than 200 job vacancies before finally landing a financial position at Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD Bank). 

“I got the interview with the TD because of my past [Canadian] experience because I had lots of experience, especially with customer service and I was working at the law office,” she explains.  

The ask for “Canadian experience” is mentioned often by students as a factor preventing them from securing relevant job positions.  

The term refers to work experience within Canada and often neglects years of professional experience in other countries.  

This requirement, especially, leads to international students’ years of education and work experience in their home countries irrelevant during their job search in Canada.  

In addition to experience, the Canadian job market increasingly looks for certification and licenses from candidates.  

Fooladi was required to obtain a Canadian Securities Course (CSC license) to secure her position at TD Bank.  

Connections and networking are other important elements in finding relevant positions today.  

Natalie Zazulak, career coach supports coordinator at GBC’s Career Services says, “Statistically speaking, somebody who’s referred by another employee of the company, they’re more likely to work longer. And be better employed, or the company because more value is in line with that employee. Right. So, yes, networking is very important.” 

GBC Career Services provides students with job search resources such as interview preparation, networking tips, and various career options.  

Students can also use services provided to review resumes and cover letters for job applications.  

Zazulak says that networking can be done in various different ways. One of these ways, she says, is to physically meet potential employers and make yourself known.  

“Then when you do apply for that job, if they have seen your face, and they know who you are, right? You’re more likely to hire somebody, you know,” she says.  

She adds that another way is to ask professionals and potential employers for informational interviews.  

Informational interviews are usually characterised as short 10-minute virtual or in-person meetings where one can learn about industry experiences as well as build connections.  

Students feel the importance of networking in their job hunts as well.  

While GBC Career Services provides tips and resources for job seekers, they don’t provide job placements. All job placements are provided through individual academic programs.  

Students in many GBC programs also have the option of getting work experience from coop terms.  

Zazulak emphasizes that there is a skill gap in the market and students must tailor their resumes and applications to this gap.  

“Customizing your resume is about using your soft skills because primarily what the employer is looking for, for the most part, [is] to address that skill that they’re looking for,” she says.  

The challenge of finding jobs in Toronto remains, but students may have a better shot by making best use of resources provided by the college.  

All GBC students and alumni can access Career Services and its resources, with certain limitations.  

For more information, students can visit their webpage www.georgebrown.ca/current-students/services/career-services.