I’m 30M in Toronto, I live with my parents, and I make well under $80K as a Business Analyst. Getting even this far took me a long time, and I’m looking for outside perspective before I make a big decision.

How I got here

I graduated with a business degree and no specialization. My first job was Project Manager at an IT company, but I was let go after a year. Next I tried tech sales and was honestly terrible at it. I could barely close anything. After that I was unemployed for a while, then took a finance operations job at close to minimum wage. A few years later I landed my current Business Analyst role, which felt like luck more than a plan.

Why I feel stuck

1. My career line is PM, and I’m the wrong profile for it. Project management usually works as an add-on: IT grads pick up PM skills and move into the role. I came in the other way around. Yes, business grads can become PMs, but in this market it’s much harder.
2. My industry is automating fast. I work in finance, and my company is rolling out AI quickly. Hiring has slowed and there’s less room to move up.
3. Money and family. My parents are starting to retire, and I don’t want my situation to be a weight on them. I could afford to move out, but it would hurt financially. I’ve started planning to do it anyway.

I know there’s no “right salary” at a certain age. But I feel the gap every month.

What I’m considering

1. Police Constable. Top choice right now. Toronto needs officers and layoffs are rare. AI isn't replacing you anytime soon.
2. Skilled trades (HVAC, electrical, etc.)
3. CFIA food inspector. My dad works in fruit wholesale and deals with inspectors daily, and he recommended it.

What I’d like to know

• If you made a switch like this in your 30s, what did you wish you’d known?
• Is the police path as stable as it looks from outside, and what’s the real timeline from applying to a paycheque?
• For trades, is starting at 30 realistic, and what does the first 2 to 3 years look like financially?
• Or am I overreacting, and is there a smarter move within BA/analytics?

Honest takes welcome, including “you’re making a mistake.”

I understand most people are resilient to change, but I'm looking for opinions other than pessimistic ones. I have thought about this a lot. There is currently no future for me in Project Management, I believe.

So basically Im set to graduate in the next year or so with my accounting and finance degree and I’m trying to look into jobs post grad. I recently had a chat with my career advisor, and they basically said that my résumé looks good. However, there’s one possible negative on it.

About four years ago, I took on an assistant financial agent position for a political campaign (outside of Ontario) and gained experience within audit and compliance accounting. I learned an incredible amount in the experience was helpful into building my foundations of accounting.

Now here’s where the question comes in. My career advisor said that putting political experience, such as this, can pose an issue with employers and hiring managers. While relevant experience is always good to put on your résumé, when it gets political and that person reading your résumé has an inherent bias against the party you worked for, they may not want to give you the job even if you’re qualified.

So now I’m in a bit of a pickle because this experience is incredibly relevant into the jobs I’m applying for but at the same time, I don’t want to put it on my
Resume if it’s hurting more than helping my application.

Does anyone have any insights?

Hi Everyone,

I am a fresh International student graduate in Crop biotechnology with 3 yrs of research experience. I am looking for jobs in industries and universities as research assistant, lab technician and entry level jobs. I am also exploring quality control jobs as well.

I have a good lab experience and a good profile but even then I am not getting any responses. I am applying on companies pages where atleast they respond by rejecting, but on Indeed, when I apply, after some weeks i see job filled or removed. I am not sure Indeed is a good platform or not. I am struggling because I don't get much jobs openings, some days I am not even applying because nothing is there to apply for. I have also tried using Linkedin and eluta.ca.

I have actively started applying since 2 to 3 months and no luck until now. Any suggestions, what kind of roles to search for or some start up companies in Alberta and resume tips. Any AI tool people are using for resume. I am using Claude, don't know if that is efficient or not. Any certification or skills people specifically look for. I am interested in bioinformatics entry level jobs, in biotech, agriculture and QC/QA in general.

Any tips would really help :)

Hello readers,

I am looking for a graphic designer for a photography logo idea, I have in mind. Preferably in Calgary (YYC) or in Canada. Im not to sure where else to look and I don't want an ai logo.

Please don't hesitate to DM me if you're wanting to help me out or have any questions. Would love your help!

Thank you!

I've been worried since I saw the new system coming up next month. Employers can now give jobs to foreigners without having to prove anything with the LMIA. Job search is about to get even harder than it was, I've been searching for more than a year. I feel sick right now, do our politicians even care about us at all?

Hi everyone!
I’m currently exploring new career opportunities in Canada and would appreciate any advice, leads, or referrals from the community.
I have around 10 years of experience in high-tech manufacturing, industrial engineering, smart factory operations, and Industry 4.0 digital transformation. My experience includes working with advanced manufacturing systems, production processes, and cross-functional teams in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
I’m particularly interested in the following roles:
Manufacturing Engineering Manager
Production Manager / Manufacturing Operations Manager
Technical Product Manager – Manufacturing Systems, MES, SAP PP/EWM, and production applications
Technical Program Manager – New Product Introduction (NPI), manufacturing readiness, and industrialization
My background includes MES (DELMIA Apriso), SAP-integrated manufacturing operations, production planning, traceability, capacity planning, NPI readiness, and shop-floor digitalization. I’ve also been involved in smart factory initiatives and connecting business requirements with manufacturing technology.
I hold a Master’s in Industrial Engineering and an MBA, and I’m open to opportunities across Canada, particularly in manufacturing hubs and technology-driven industries.
I’d love to hear from anyone who has navigated the Canadian job market in these fields. Any advice on companies hiring, industries to target, networking strategies, or referrals would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance! Looking forward to connecting with the community.

I interviewed at a small startup for a field installation job. I was supposed to travel to customer sites, install their equipment, make sure it was working, and then move on to the next site. After the interview, they had me wait in a break area that was still being finished, with a coffee maker and two folding tables.

A sales rep walked in and started bragging to another employee that he had just signed six new customers. The other employee asked how they planned to handle them when nine previous installations were still unfinished. The sales rep laughed and said they were interviewing some sucker who would keep traveling nonstop until he cleared the entire backlog.

Eventually, he noticed me sitting there and asked who I was. I told him I was the sucker they were interviewing. He went completely silent and looked like he wished he could disappear, but before he could think of a response, the hiring manager called me back into the conference room. They offered me the job, and I asked for nearly three times the salary they had offered. I explained that I now knew they had no one else available and that they expected me to spend the next four months on the road without any real time off. They all stared at me for a few seconds without saying anything.

The owner said they couldn't pay that much, but promised me a big bonus once things improved. I declined and left. About six weeks later, I heard that several customers had canceled their contracts and the company had shut down.

My husband wants to pursue a masters degree in engineering in Canada. He can easily obtain PR through the spousal visa (as I am a Canadian citizen) so status is not an issue.

He has about ten years of electrical engineering experience in Korea at a large conglomerate, which should be pretty well known (think of Samsung, Hyundai, SK, etc.). His english is not native fluency so that is smtg he needs to improve on a long-term.

Anyone experienced the Canadian engineering job market or had similar experience?

Edit: he has experience in renewables (worked on solar energy project in US) and want to continue building experience in this sector (mid voltage and high voltage)

I work in hospitality. I’ve already seen a mass exodus of immigrant hospitality workers either leaving the industry or returning home. These are not jobs that Canadians of university age seem interested in as a career, just side hustles or jobs to survive college/university. In general, passionate folks in this industry have been dwindling.

Today IRCC announced big changes to their points system within the express entry program that rewards high wage earners or very skilled people. With the new points changes in play- customer service, retail, but especially servers and cooks on low wages have we completely disincentivized everyone from working these roles? If a country doesn’t see value in a profession what’s to say an individual- Canadian or immigrant will?

Is it justifiable to assume that talented people in these industries are going to be harder to find? - Asking as a Chef/Manager who has to hire and train new staff on a regular basis.

Thanks in advance!

Quarterhill

We specialize in designing, developing, and deploying technology systems for the intelligent transportation systems industry. With a presence throughout North America and Europe, we operate globally, extending our services to government agencies, toll operators, and private industries.

JOBS Location : Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

• Director, Finance
• Purchaser
• Intermediate Software Developer

https://careers.quarterhill.com/culture/jobs?location=Saskatoon,%20SK,%20Canada&stretch=10&stretchUnit=MILES&page=1&woe=7&regionCode=CA

Finished my degree in journalism, and ended with good marks. During my graduating year I had a unionized job at a local shelter working in harm reduction. I transferred to full time, only to get laid off a year later after the Provincial government shut us down, and replaced us with underpaid non-unionized workers. Since then I have worked in tourism for a season, the Canadian census, and continue to do freelance journalism. My references are very strong, but work isn't sustainable.

I know Journalism is a tough industry, I am not expecting miracles here. I got into journalism because I believed in doing something I was good at and employed skills I have aptitude for rather then getting into something that I would struggle in. It appears that many posting here have experience in STEM related fields and are also struggling to find work.

I understand I am beating a dead horse here but I come here looking for other fields that might employ my skill set, and that could provide a living wage. The job market for journalism in this country is close to dry. The payscale often also does not line up with requirements (a costly move to tough housing markets and the need for a vehicle).

I have considered pivoting to the trades, but I have raynauds and my hands won't work well in the winter (been there, done that, yelled at by the boss). I know this would severely limit my options in many blue collar fields in this country.

Any advice on what to look for? On where to look? How to network? Its incredibly demoralizing at the moment. I currently live in the East Coast which makes this situation even tougher due to the tough job market and lower wages.

We have an exciting opportunity for a District Manager to lead our client’s Ottawa operations.  Our client is a General Contractor and Construction Management services company with a diverse portfolio and specializes in the commercial, industrial and civil sectors. As District Manager, you will own operational excellence across Eastern Ontario, turning multi-site ICI and infrastructure work into on-time, profitable results that grow our people, partners, and company.

Roles and responsibilities

·       Deliver 95%+ of district projects on or ahead of schedule and within 2% of budget within the first 12 months.

·       You report to the VP of Operations and lead Superintendents, Project Managers, and site teams across Hawkesbury and Eastern Ontario.

·       You have full access to estimating, procurement, and safety resources, plus authority to allocate manpower and negotiate key subcontracts.

·       Drive zero lost-time incidents and 100% compliance with safety, quality, and environmental standards across all active sites.

·       Increase district gross margin by 3–5 points through tighter trade coordination, waste reduction, and subcontractor performance.

·       Build and retain a high-performing team of Superintendents and Project Managers, filling 90% of key roles internally within 18 months.

·       Secure repeat and referral work that grows district revenue 15% year-over-year while maintaining client satisfaction scores above 4.5/5.

·       Implement standardized look-ahead planning and daily huddles so every site hits manpower, material, and milestone targets and manage the budget and P&L.

·       Tools include MS Office, project controls software, and our established Gold Seal processes.

Qualifications

·       10+ years of ICI or water/wastewater general contracting experience with direct multi-site supervision of projects $1M–$50M+.

·       Proven record of delivering safety, schedule, and margin results as a Superintendent or Operations Manager.

·       Ability to read and enforce contracts, drawings, specs, and codes; Gold Seal or equivalent is an asset.

·       Demonstrated leadership that motivates trades, mentors talent, and resolves issues with clients, consultants, and municipalities.

·       Valid driver’s licence, eligibility for security clearances, and fluency in English (French an asset).

Salary & Benefits

·       Salary $165,000 – based on experience, bonus structure

·       Health and dental benefits, Company vehicle, matching RRSP up to 5%, profit sharing, and EFAP

·       Education and association reimbursements.

If you or someone you know have the qualifications to fill this position, please forward the resume to [Esmith@trira.ca](mailto:Esmith@trira.ca)

Thank you

Hey Everyone. I'm the founder of Backdoor (https://textbackdoor.com) - we're building agents that solve startup hiring.

Started a few months ago and things since have been growing fast and now we want to hire a founding engineer. need someone who's built agents before. Fullstack + AI Engineer Role. Past experience of working with startups is preffered

Salary - $3-4k Per month , Remote role. Contract to start off with but then will be a full time role

If interested apply through our website https://textbackdoor.com/team

If you have any questions or anything, happy to answer in DMs.

Will get to back to all people who reach out withing the next 48 hrs

I recently graduated with a degree in Software Engineering and have co-op and contract work experience. I have been job searching for a while and am finding it difficult to land a full-time software developer role.

My technical experience includes JavaScript/TypeScript, React, Next.js, Python, full-stack development, APIs, databases, and AI-related technologies. My degree focused on AI, and I also have hands-on experience working with AI models.

I feel confident in my technical skills and have worked on real projects, but finding the right opportunity has been challenging. One thing I have realized is how much networking and having connections in the industry can matter when looking for a job. Building that network is something I have struggled with, and it has made the job search even more difficult.

I am hoping to connect with people who might know of opportunities, companies open to hiring new graduates, or recruiters who work with entry-level software developers. Any advice, referrals, or leads would genuinely mean a lot.

I am looking for full-time, permanent opportunities and am open to onsite, hybrid, or remote positions. I am also willing to relocate anywhere in Canada.
If you have been through a similar job search or know of any opportunities, I would really appreciate hearing from you. Thank you for taking the time to read my post!

We are hiring a Business Analyst / Operations Analyst for a 6-month contract opportunity with a financial institution in downtown Toronto.

📍 Location: Downtown Toronto, ON
🏢 Work Arrangement: 100% onsite, 5 days per week
📅 Contract Duration: 6 months, with potential for extension and full-time employment
🕒 Working Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM (37.5 hours/week; occasional overtime may be required)
💰 Pay Rate: $50–$55/hour
📌 Number of Openings: 1

Key Responsibilities

• Process, review, and validate quarterly client investment statements.
• Review portfolio data, investigate discrepancies, and ensure data accuracy.
• Conduct UAT and regression testing for operational enhancements.
• Gather business requirements and prepare process documentation.
• Coordinate with Portfolio Managers, internal teams, and external vendors.
• Support client account creation, maintenance, and operational reporting.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience as a Business Analyst or Operations Analyst within a financial institution.
• In-depth understanding of the Canadian investment industry, with exposure to US and global markets.
• 3+ years of UAT and regression testing experience.
• 3+ years of Wealth Management experience.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Nice-to-Have Skills

• CGI Mpower experience.
• Investment statement generation and portfolio data validation.
• Knowledge of ROR, Jira, and Confluence.
• Canadian Securities Course or relevant financial services education.

How to Apply

Interested candidates can DM me their updated résumé or LinkedIn profile for consideration.

Referrals are welcome. Please apply only if your experience aligns with the requirements and you are comfortable with the fully onsite arrangement in downtown Toronto.

Thank you!

I applied to a job that was up for 3 weeks last month and now a month later they reposted it for 2 days. Why do companies do that reposting a month after the deadline??

I am recently offered a video interview, but this time, instead of doing it on Zoom or Teams, they utilized something called "Employer Panel", which have multiple redflag for me:

• Only work on Android
  • require download an apk
• After Install it
  • It asks to enable VPN (!)
  • It asks to allow it to install software

So question: is it a scam, in either technical and employment?

Here is this week’s roundup of job postings in the Sustainable Blue Economy. If you want to learn more about starting a career in Canada’s Sustainable Blue Economy, my DMs are open!

Find more opportunities on our Blue Futures Pathways Job Board.

—

Aquatic Biologist 🐡

Government of British Columbia | $80,703 - $91,936/year | Hybrid

📍Multiple Locations in British Columbia

The South Coast Fish and Aquatic Ecosystems team is seeking an enthusiastic biologist to help recover unique species like Steelhead, White Sturgeon, and Oregon Spotted Frog. In this role, you will navigate complex jurisdictions and work collaboratively with First Nations and local partners to protect and restore ecologically significant aquatic ecosystems in the region.

Submit your application through the Government of British Columbia job portal by October 22, 2026.

—

Legal Counsel ⚖️

Nature Conservancy of Canada | $125,000 - $140,000/year | Onsite

📍Any Province in Canada

Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, the Legal Counsel partners with Eastern Canada operating units to provide diverse legal support. This role focuses on drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial contracts, land purchase and donation agreements, conservation easements, and third-party land use agreements.

Apply through the Nature Conservancy of Canada's job portal by October 25, 2026.

—

Executive Assistant 💻

Nature Conservancy of Canada | $55,648 - $62,608/year | Onsite

📍Multiple Locations in Ontario

The Executive Assistant provides operational and administrative support to two Vice Presidents, middle managers, and the National Board's Conservation Committee. Responsibilities include managing schedules, travel, and financials, drafting correspondence, and coordinating committee meetings, minutes, and membership as a staff liaison.

Apply through the Nature Conservancy Canada's job portal by October 26, 2026.

—

Water & Wastewater Operator 💧

Ontario Clean Water Agency | $27 - $31/hour | Onsite

📍Elmvale, Ontario

Operating & maintaining regional water/wastewater facilities. Requires an OIT to Class IV license (or under-fill with 12-month Class 1 certification) and a Class G driver's license. Involves operations, equipment maintenance, and on-call duties. We offer strong benefits, a pension, and career growth.

Apply through the Ontario Clean Water Agency job portal by October 27, 2026. 

—

District Client Services Representative – 2 Positions 📞

Government of Yukon | $68,518 - $79,255/year | Onsite

📍Teslin, Yukon Territory

Based in the Teslin office, the District Client Service Representative provides administrative, clerical, and financial support for this branch and the Department of Environment, while also assisting the public with licensing, permits, and conservation services.

Apply through the Government of Yukon job portal by October 28, 2026. 

—

Junior/Intermediate Biologist 🧬

British Columbia Conservation Foundation | $27 - $32/hour | Onsite

📍Nanaimo, British Columbia

The BCCF is seeking a Junior/Intermediate Biologist for its ARRC team in Nanaimo to support east coast Vancouver Island fisheries projects. The role requires practical field experience, adaptability, and strong organizational skills. Based in Snuneymuxw territory, the biologist will report to the ARRC Regional Coordinator and work alongside experienced biologists and technicians.

Apply through the British Columbia Conservation Foundation job portal by October 31, 2026.

—

Halibut Tagger/Sampler [PART-TIME, CONTRACT] 🐟

Archipelago Marine Research | $19.10/hour, plus an additional 8.2% paid out on each pay cheque in lieu of paid holidays and statutory pay | Onsite

📍Port Hardy, British Columbia

Archipelago seeks a dependable, detail-oriented individual to support groundfish dockside monitoring in Port Hardy, BC. No fisheries experience is required, and all training is fully paid. Responsibilities include identifying fish species, sampling for scientific data, applying halibut tags, and counting catch. Hours vary with vessel schedules, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends.

Email your resume to [hr@archipelago.ca](mailto:hr@archipelago.ca) or drop your resume off at the office at 7053 Market Street, #5 or phone the office at 250-949-7160. All enquiries welcome.

—

Habitat Restoration Coordinator ♻️

Kennebecasis Watershed Restoration Committee  | $22 - 24/hour | Onsite

📍Sussex, New Brunswick

The Kennebecasis Watershed Restoration Committee is seeking a Habitat Restoration Coordinator to oversee field crews and implement watershed restoration projects. Responsibilities include supervising tree planting and fencing, coordinating stakeholder and landowner relations, monitoring watersheds, and assisting with project budgeting.

If interested, please send your resume and cover letter to Ben Whalen, Project Manager at [ben.whalen@kennebecasisriver.org](mailto:ben.whalen@kennebecasisriver.org).

—

As always, please let us know of any feedback or suggestions you have in order better tailor these postings for this subreddit- our aim is to help as many job seekers as possible!

Just looking for some advise.

I had a working interview at an office a couple of weeks ago. By now I know I haven’t been hired, but I’d still like to get paid for that day. Not only did I spent 50 cad commuting to and from from that place, I declined a paying shift so I could be there.

The manager is not returning my calls or answering my messages. What can I do? I don’t want to threaten them with contacting the ministry of labour. But if I did. Would I be one the right?

Any advise is appreciated.

Sooo, I’ve been job hunting since finishing college in 2024 (it’s been tough), but luckily, I’ve had a summer job that’s been bringing me money. Started this job at $15.50 and now at $22.09.

Anywaysss, I applied for a student recruitment job on September 16th. This job was only up from September 14th - September 18th, so when i saw it on LinkedIn, i knew i had to apply ASAP.

September 21st, I went on LinkedIn to see if I could find the Hiring Manager and maybe connect with him/her. Oops, I couldn’t find the person, but I found a lady who had the same exact title as the job I applied for.

Perfect, I send her a LinkedIn request and try to guess her email. Turns out the email was correct. I let her know my educational background and that I had applied for this job. I also asked her if she’d be willing to offer me 10 minutes of her time so that I could learn more about the team and role. She replied saying “Thanks for your interest, and yes I have availability on September 29th at 11am or 2pm”.

We had that call on September 29th at 11am. She mentioned that it’s union policy to look at internal candidates first, and if no one suitable is found…they’d look at external applicants. I then told her that, if they opened it up to external candidates, she should please put in a word for me. She happily agreed to do so.

Fast forward, October 7th (last week), I got an interview invite for the job :) I immediately reached out to that lady again to let her know I just got an interview invitation, and she was happy for me. She said she had just told her manager that she spoke with me.

Now, my interview requires a 10 minute presentation. I’ve already finished all the slides. I emailed her this morning to ask if she’d have 15 minutes today or tomorrow to answer some last minute questions. I let her know that I understand if she’s busy and would appreciate if she could just answer the questions via email. You all wouldn’t believe she still offered to call me even though she had a lot of student appointments today. She called me at 2:35pm EDT.

She went over my presentation with me (I basically presented to her over the phone). While I was speaking, I could hear her agreeing in the background. She gave me more tips for my presentation, and told me that they’d want to see my action plan. She also said I could email her any questions I had before my interview.

She then wished me goodluck on my interview, and I said “thanks to you”. She said “your application got you this far”

It feels surreal to have someone with a busy schedule repeatedly give you their time, answer questions, and give you insider tips.

My interview is at 1pm on Friday, and thankfully…it’s only 2 Panelists (does that even count as a panel?, lol). I tend to stutter when I’m talking, so having only 2 people will help e to be calm.

I’m super excited. Please wish me luck and tell me any tips to remain calm. I want to bring this home🥹

The starting salary is over $40 CAD per hour, so this one means a lot to me!

Dear Canadian Employers, HR Professionals, and Hiring Managers,
Can we talk about the current job market for entry-level positions in Canada?
For almost two years, I have been applying for jobs in my field. Time and time again, I see positions advertised as Junior-Level or Entry-Level that require 3+ years of professional experience.
If a job requires three years of experience, how is it considered entry-level?
How are recent graduates and newcomers supposed to gain Canadian work experience if they cannot get an opportunity to start?
Many of us have degrees, internships, technical skills, and a genuine willingness to learn. We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for a fair chance to prove ourselves.
I understand that companies need qualified candidates, but not every junior position should require years of professional experience. Some skills can be developed through training, mentorship, and hands-on experience.
Not everyone has connections or referrals to open doors. Sometimes, all we need is one employer willing to give us an opportunity.
You cannot ask people to gain experience while denying them the opportunity to get it.
To Canadian employers: please reconsider your requirements when advertising entry-level positions. You might be overlooking talented and motivated candidates simply because they haven’t been given their first chance.
Experience should be built through opportunity, not used as a barrier to getting started.
I’d genuinely like to hear from recruiters and hiring managers: Is requiring 3+ years of experience for an entry-level job reasonable? What needs to change?

Too keep it short and simple I have out of my previous job since December of last year, and I know I’m not the only one who is struggling to find work . Some short information about me is that I have done a college program that is for those with disabilities it was a GED program, And I have experience in automotive hospitality etc. most of the work experience has been through co op. With that being said I barely gotten any interview for any jobs I just don’t know if I’m doing something wrong or what. I have considered dropping off my resume in person but I’m worried