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Older workers increasingly seeking entry-level jobs in Canada: Survey

A growing number of older workers in Canada are applying for entry-level positions, according to new data.

More than seven in 10 (71%) hiring decision-makers report that they are seeing more applications from older workers for these roles compared to three years ago. Moreover, 54% of companies indicate a preference for hiring older workers over younger ones for entry-level jobs.

KV Aulakh, an Express Employment franchise owner in Barrie, Ont., suggests several factors could be influencing this trend.

“It could be due to the rising cost of living that people are looking to add supplemental income,” said Aulakh. “Older workers who were laid off or had reduced hours because of supply chain issues are also applying for entry-level jobs, hoping to move up when positions matching their skills become available.”

Concerns about turnover

While older workers bring experience, their applications for lower-level roles have not been met without hesitation from employers.

Brent Pollington, another Express Employment franchise owner based in Vancouver, points out potential challenges.

“There is a big concern that such candidates might not intend to stay in the position long-term, and high turnover is costly for businesses,” said Pollington. “Misalignment in terms of compensation and job responsibilities is also more likely.”

To address challenges in filling entry-level positions, Pollington advises businesses to communicate more effectively about the growth opportunities these roles offer.

“If you’re facing challenges in filling these roles, it’s likely due to ineffective communication about the opportunities these positions offer,” he said.

Hiring trends

According to the data, 79% of companies plan to hire full-time employees in the second half of 2023, an increase from 70% during the same period last year. Most job seekers (73%) are also primarily interested in full-time roles, followed by part-time (38%) and contract or freelance positions (52%).

However, the level of positions employers plan to fill and the ones job seekers are applying for do not perfectly align. Companies are most frequently looking to fill entry-level roles (56%), whereas job seekers are primarily applying for mid-level positions (52%).

Express Employment International CEO Bill Stoller also notes the importance of developing diverse skill sets for job seekers, highlighting “soft skills such as effective communication, adaptability, and teamwork” as essential in today’s market.

The survey included responses from 507 Canadian hiring decision-makers and 507 adults who are either employed or seeking employment. The data collected is considered accurate within a 4.6 and 5.6 percentage point range for hiring decision-makers and job seekers, respectively, at a 95% confidence level.