Finding a job can take time. Unfortunately, it’s starting to take longer to find a job than in the past. It’s a trend that recruitment agencies in Toronto are seeing in many industries, especially those that require more experienced and skilled individuals to fill job vacancies. So, I did a little digging and found some recent research into how long it’s taking people to find jobs in 2025.
The Average Time To Find A Job Is Increasing
According to research from The Wall Street Journal, the average time for people to find a job is now about six months.
“Over the past two years, the share of people job hunting for six months or longer has increased by more than 50%. That means that on the whole, it now takes job seekers an average of six months to find a new position—about a month longer than was typical when hiring was at its peak in early 2023. As of December, 1.8 million people were continuing to file for recurring unemployment benefits,” says Pavithra Mohan on Fast Company.
Or recruiters are seeing similar trends here in Canada. But the question is, why is it taking longer?
Why Is It Taking Longer To Find A Job?
Our team has found there are a series of factors that are contributing to longer times to hire:
- Hiring simply takes longer in some industries: employers in tech, healthcare other fields are looking for very specific candidates.
- It’s expensive to hire: companies don’t want to make a hiring mistake and have to go through the process again in a year. They want to take a little longer now to find the right person.
- Fewer job openings: There are fewer job openings, so there is greater competition for jobs.
- Differing expectations: Both employers and candidates have shifting expectations. This makes it more challenging for both parties to find the right partnership.
- Shift in new skill requirements: Tech is changing the types of skills employers require from employees. Many candidates require upskilling to meet new job requirements.
- Macroeconomic uncertainty.
Speed Up The Job Search Process By Being Visible to Recruiters
Candidates can help themselves find a job quicker by being visible to professional recruiters. Optimize your online presence, especially your LinkedIn profile, register your resume on recruiter websites, and network with recruiters in your industry.
More Job Search Advice From Our Recruiters
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