Jared Rosso, a 26-year-old finance graduate from Mount Royal University, has sent in over 150 job applications since finishing his degree in 2022. Unfortunately, he’s faced nothing but silence in return.
“When you apply to so many jobs and you’re not having any success, it starts to wear on your mental health, and your self-confidence takes a really big hit,” says Rosso.
Rosso is not alone — the quest for stable employment has become an all-too-familiar struggle for many in Alberta.
In September, the province’s unemployment rate stood at 7.5 per cent, the third highest in Canda behind P.E.I and Newfoundland and Labrador. A jump up from 5.5 per cent just two years ago.
Several factors contribute to the rising unemployment rate including a large influx of newcomers where 89,198 migrants arrived in Alberta in the combined first and second quarters of 2024, with 69,218 of those coming from international migration.
One demographic in particular that’s been affected are young job seekers. According to the Alberta Economic Dashboard, employment is the worst for individuals aged 15-24. These statistics are raising significant concerns for recent graduates, like Rosso, seeking their first entry-level positions.
Rosso points out that gaining more work experience would have aided his job search, citing a trend where entry-level jobs are increasing the work experience required to apply.
Sean Van Humbeck, Team Lead at Calgary Career Hub, has been helping people land jobs in Calgary for more than seven years. He, too, has observed a shift in employer expectations.
“Something that we talk about a lot with our team is an increase in the requests and qualifications from no experience or one year to two, three or five. It’s very common to see those on junior and entry-level roles,” says Van Humbeck.
This trend may explain why people aged 25 to 54 have the easiest time finding work, since they typically have more experience. As Alberta’s job market evolves, so must younger workers who must stand out in a sea of relevant applications.
Navigating the jungle
While there is no secret formula for landing a job, applicants can employ several strategies to enhance their chances.
Van Humbeck stresses the importance of prioritizing job applications based on your top preferences. By ranking potential positions, you can focus the majority of your time and energy on those that align best with your interests and skills. He also encourages candidates to refrain from disqualifying themselves too early.
He says, “If you’re anywhere between, 60-70 per cent [of the job description] I think that’s a good spot to apply.”
“I’m proof of that,” adds Van Humbeck. “I got a position in job development and I didn’t have experience, but I had a lot of the core skills. It goes to show that just because you don’t hit all the checkboxes, it’s not a deal breaker.”
Above all, both Van Humbeck and Rosso highlight the critical role of networking, regardless of the amount of relevant experience you garner.
“Networking is the biggest thing that will open a lot of doors for you,” says Rosso. “Contact people that you find on LinkedIn who are industry professionals, give a nice, warm introduction and say, ‘I’d love to buy a coffee and pick your brain’,”.
Van Humbeck also says that referrals are key for those lacking direct experience.
“Internal referrals are a huge component of hiring. That validation reduces the perceived risk for the employer… you really need to be networking as much as you can, utilizing the resources you have.”
