Finding the right job in Toronto can be hard for young professionals trying to stand out in a crowded market. While online job boards may seem like the obvious first step, they’re no longer where most opportunities are found.

Today, more and more applicants are discovering that the real career breakthroughs happen off the beaten path; through personal networks, employer connections, and community-driven programs. That’s what people mean when they talk about the hidden job market in Toronto, and it’s where people are actually getting hired.

The Challenge Facing Young Job Seekers in Toronto

Youth unemployment remains higher than average in Canada. In July 2024, the national youth unemployment rate reached 14.2%, its highest point outside of the pandemic years. In the GTA, the picture was even more bleak, with rates rising above 19% through the first half of the year.

By early September 2024, job postings were down across Canada’s three largest cities, including a 22% drop in Toronto vs. pre‑pandemic levels. The result has been a crowded, competitive environment where applying online often means being one of dozens, or even hundreds, of applicants.

What This Means For Youth Employment

For many, this creates a frustrating cycle: endless applications, few callbacks, and even fewer interviews. It’s no surprise that success often comes from looking beyond job boards to methods that connect job seekers with employers more directly.

What is the “Hidden Job Market”?

The “hidden job market” is simply a way to describe opportunities that never make it onto job boards. Many positions are filled through:

• Employee referrals
• Internal promotions or transfers
• Direct outreach from candidates
• Networking at events or community programs

While it’s hard to measure exactly how many jobs fall into this category, the key takeaway is clear: relying only on public postings means missing out on opportunities that are being filled behind the scenes.

Job Search Channels That Outperform Job Boards

So if job boards aren’t enough, what alternative job search methods should young people focus their energy on?

Employer Career Sites

Many companies prioritize applications that come through their own career pages. These candidates are often seen as more intentional, and the competition is smaller compared to giant job boards. Identifying a shortlist of employers and applying directly can greatly improve visibility.

Employee Referrals

Referrals remain one of the most powerful hiring tools; they increase trust and can fast-track the application. Building relationships with mentors, former supervisors, or peers already working in your field is one of the most effective ways to land interviews.

Networking & Social Channels

LinkedIn, alumni networks, and industry-specific groups provide spaces where job opportunities are shared before they’re widely advertised. By networking in these spaces, job hunters can get warm introductions that often lead to interviews.

Events & Hiring Fairs

Youth career support organizations regularly host hiring events, workshops, and career fairs where employers connect directly with candidates. These in-person opportunities give job seekers a chance to stand out in ways a digital resume cannot.

Alternative Job Search Methods That Work

The numbers confirm what many already feel: there are fewer postings, more applicants, and longer wait times for responses. Here’s a playbook of actionable strategies to get past these roadblocks:

1. Targeted Outreach

Don’t just wait for postings, research 5 to 10 companies you’d like to work for and send personalized outreach to hiring managers or team leads. A short message highlighting your skills and interests can open doors before jobs are ever advertised.

2. Referrals the Right Way

Instead of asking broadly for help, be specific: “I noticed your company is hiring for a project coordinator role. Would you feel comfortable referring me?” Being clear makes it easier for your contact to say yes.

3. Employer Career Sites & Talent Communities

Set up alerts directly on employer career pages and subscribe to their talent networks. This way, you’ll hear about opportunities as soon as they become available.

4. Events, Workshops & Hiring Fairs

Show up where employers are. Whether it’s a sector-specific networking night or a community job fair, these events create face-to-face connections that often lead to faster results.

How Youth Employment Services in Toronto Can Help

You don’t have to do this on your own. Youth employment services in Toronto, like those offered by JVS Toronto, give young professionals the tools and connections to move their careers forward.

With JVS Toronto, you can access:

• One-to-one job search support to sharpen resumes, interviews, and application strategies..
• Connections to local employers and exclusive hiring events across the GTA.
• Mentorship, skills training, and placements that help build the experience employers look for.
• Workshops and community programs that help you stand out in today’s competitive market.

Our youth career support in the GTA can help accelerate your job search and help you land meaningful employment faster.

Take the Next Step

Sending application after application with no reply can be disheartening. Toronto’s hidden job market is where real opportunities are waiting, and with the right approach, you can make it work for you.

Explore our youth employment services in Toronto today to connect with employers, build your confidence, and take the next step in your career.

Heartiest congratulations to our Skilled Trades program (START- Skilled Trades Achieving Results Through Training) participant, Feyisa Tiksa, on successfully earning his 309A Trade License and becoming a licensed electrician in Ontario!

A true testament to his determination and resilience turning challenges into milestones on the path to licensure. It’s a privilege to witness dreams transform into reality. Feyisa’s journey shows that with perseverance and the right support, newcomers can achieve anything. Being part of this journey is truly humbling, and moments like these remind us why support programs matter. His story inspires us all proving that with hard work, guidance, and the right support, no hurdle is too high, and no dream is out of reach.

I sincerely thank JVS and the team for the invaluable support during my TEA application. The guidance, resources, financial assistance, and encouragement gave me the confidence to complete every step. Today, as a 309A certified professional, I feel excited about the opportunities ahead.

At JVS Toronto, our Skilled Trades programs help internationally trained tradespeople succeed in Ontario by providing:

• Step-by-step guidance on the licensing process
• Hands-on support with the TEA (Trades Equivalency Assessment) application, including document preparation & submission
• Resources to meet mandatory prerequisites
• Ongoing support toward licensure
• Employability and technical training opportunities

The program is open year-round to individuals with international skilled trades experience who are seeking certification in Ontario. It welcomes participants with low English proficiency and is available to Permanent Residents, Protected Persons, and Convention Refugees.

Connect with us at [email protected]

Once again, congratulations, Feyisa – your success inspires us all and thank you to our funder – The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (Ontario), for having faith in our work and supporting START program that empower newcomers on their pathway to skilled trades success.

On Friday June 20, JVS Toronto hosted its 6th annual Bridges to Career Success event. This annual newcomer mentorship and hiring event helps empower immigrating professionals–both pre- and post-arrival–to build their professional networks, gain insights into varying professions, connect with mentors, and apply for jobs.

The virtual event started with a keynote discussion led by JVS Toronto CEO, Allison Steinberg, alongside CIBC Bank Leader, Dhaval Vediya. Dhaval shared his own immigration success story, highlighting his experience of overcoming barriers to entering the workforce, and served as a reminder to Canadian newcomers that even those in advanced careers have had similar experiences and challenges when looking for employment in a new country.

During the event, employers spoke to participants about job opportunities and community partners provided resources that support participants in their journeys to Canada. Additionally, mentors shared their knowledge and insights on a variety of industries, providing guidance to job seekers.

Mentorship plays a crucial role in helping newcomers navigate new work environments and cultures. 60% of recent newcomers expressed difficulty finding employment due to a lack of Canadian experience and holding foreign credentials. (The struggle for success: a look at the barriers faced by immigrants to Canada). Mentoring can help bridge that gap in knowledge and lead to increased job opportunities.

For both pre- and post-arrival immigrants hoping to apply their expertise and credentials in Canada, virtual mentoring and networking is a way to better navigate challenges earlier on. Bridges to Career Success provided newcomers with skills to build their confidence, learn from industry leaders, and better understand how job search and integrate into the Candian labour market.

Over 400 participants engaged in 48 roundtable discussions on various topics including: leveraging transferable skills, AI and labor market trends, and fireside chats where industry leaders provided practical advice and sector-specific insights. One participant said:

Thank you for your efforts in making this event a meaningful experience for attendees like me. I truly appreciated the opportunity to connect with peers and mentors. Looking forward to more such events!

In all, Bridges to Career Success led to meaningful connections, access to resources, and meaningful discussions on the common obstacles that newcomers face. With a hands-on approach, participants were able to gain clarity and inspiration to continuing their careers in Canada. JVS Toronto’s Newcomer Services division is proud to help newcomers thrive in the workplace and beyond as they develop essential networking and employable skills.

We would like to thank Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for helping to fund our newcomer programs, as well as CIBC for sponsoring the event. A special thank you to our mentors, employers, and community partners who gave their time and expertise. Your participation ensures the success of events like this and of the clients we serve.

For more information on all our employment and job search services, contact us.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) for funding JVS Toronto’s START program. This initiative supports newcomers with international experience in the skilled trades by providing access to essential training and licensure support. Training plays a pivotal role in the success of the START program. Every participant has completed a variety of technical and safety courses, and the impact has been truly significant. These trainings are thoughtfully designed to equip newcomers with the certifications, skills, and knowledge necessary to successfully transition into the skilled trades workforce in Canada.

Thanks to our esteemed training partners—WHSC (Working at Heights, First Aid, and WHMIS), Conestoga College (Health and Safety), Canadian Forklift Training Center (Forklift Operation), and Fit Electrician (PLC – Programmable Logic Controller)—participants gain not only valuable certifications but also a boost in confidence and employability. For many, these credentials have opened doors to interviews and meaningful employment in their chosen fields.

Participants have consistently expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to gain these valuable skills. As Vitalii, an internationally trained electrician with 15 years of professional experience and a participant in the START program, shared:

The training helped enhance my resume and show employers my commitment to working in the field in Canada.

Another participant, Henry, an experienced Construction Electrician from Nigeria, credited his forklift training with directly leading to his employment as a forklift technician. For Michelle, an experienced Industrial Electrician from Cameroon and one of the women in the START program, the PLC training was a game-changer—equipping her with skills that are highly relevant to industrial electrical work.

These training sessions don’t just fulfill a requirement—they empower participants to feel job-ready and confident. They now understand the importance of Canadian workplace safety standards and technical certifications, which are often unfamiliar to newcomers. Many participants have noted that without the support of JVS Toronto’s START program, navigating the job market and licensing processes would have been far more difficult.