Overqualified, Undervalued, and Unbroken:
A People-First Guide to Navigating Canada’s Job Market

By: Afeez Akinleye

My story — a glimpse into the struggle

Last month, I decided to try something different.

Apart from being a certified and master’s degree holder in Data Analytics, I also have a background in building management. So, when I noticed openings in the housing sector, I thought — why not put that experience to use?
After several rejections, one property management company finally called me for an interview. I prepared, showed up, and got the job as a hybrid caretaker.
For three days, I worked hard — greeting residents, cleaning, checking maintenance logs, and keeping things in order. Then came a call from the council president of the building I was managing.
He invited me to his office and began asking about my background, skills, education, and experience.

The next day, HR called. They told me the council president believed I was overqualified for the role. I remember freezing for a second, trying to process what I had just heard.
They promised to “find another role” more suitable for me — but weeks later, I still haven’t heard back. That’s just a glimpse of what it feels like to search for meaningful work in Canada as a skilled newcomer.

Finding Purpose Amid Policy

Stories like mine aren’t rare. Across the country, thousands of internationally trained professionals — engineers, analysts, healthcare workers, teachers — arrive in Canada full of hope.
Yet many soon find themselves facing a paradox: employers are seeking skilled talent, but qualified newcomers can’t seem to get hired in their fields.
In fact, nearly half of recent immigrants with university degrees are underemployed within their first five years in Canada, according to Statistics Canada. That’s a sobering reminder that talent alone isn’t the problem — the system still struggles to recognize it.

This mismatch is a growing concern. While Canada continues to rely on immigration to fill labour gaps, underemployment and skills mismatch are still widespread.
According to labour analysts, immigration is essential to offset Canada’s aging workforce, but credential recognition, language barriers, and lack of “Canadian experience” remain persistent obstacles.
The result? People working below their skill level, struggling to find purpose and stability.

Navigating the New Labour Landscape

Canada’s job market feels like a neighbourhood with shifting house numbers: booming in some streets, quiet in others, and full of newcomers trying to find the right door. Between fast-changing immigration rules, persistent skills gaps, and widespread underemployment — especially among newcomers — it’s easy to feel stuck. This article breaks down what’s happening, why it matters for real people (you, your family, your neighbour), and what economists and career counsellors advise to get moving forward.

What’s going on — the short version
– Canada has welcomed a large number of newcomers in recent years and adjusted immigration programs to respond to labour needs — but policy changes (like Express Entry tweaks) and debates over overall immigration levels have made pathways more complex.
– Employers in sectors such as construction, healthcare, and hospitality still report shortages in certain skilled trades and roles, even as some newcomers struggle to find work that matches their training. That creates both opportunity and mismatch.
– Underemployment (working below your qualification level) is common for immigrants: many with foreign degrees end up in jobs that don’t use their skills because of credential recognition, language, or local experience barriers.

When Skills Don’t Match Opportunity

Imagine a new grad in a family who moves to Canada and discovers their university degree isn’t enough to get a job in their field. Or think of a neighbour who’s been told “you need Canadian experience” — even after 10+ years of work elsewhere. That mismatch has emotional and financial consequences: stress, delayed career-building, and lost earning years that affect households and communities.

What experts are saying (real takeaways)

– Macro view/economists: Bank of Canada and other analysts note there’s room to add jobs as the economy adjusts, but the shape of employment is changing — meaning some groups (young workers, newcomers) face extra hurdles finding the right fit. Policy changes to immigration aim to balance short-term pressures (housing, services) and long-term labour needs.

According to Deena Ladd, Executive Director of the Workers’ Action Centre in Toronto, “Newcomers often bring incredible expertise, but face structural barriers that prevent them from contributing fully — not because they lack skill, but because the system undervalues what they already have.”

– Policy watchers and think tanks: Reports highlight that while immigration is central to Canada’s labour supply, the composition of arrivals (temporary vs permanent, types of permits) and how quickly newcomers’ skills are used locally determine real economic gains. Provincial nominee programs and targeted streams are being used to address regional shortfalls.

– Career practitioners: Newcomer-focused career organizations and counsellors emphasize wraparound supports: credential navigation, mentoring, mental-health supports, and practical job-search training. They stress community-led solutions — local mentorship, settlement agencies, and bridging programs — as the most effective.

From Insight to Action – Practical, people-first steps to move forward

Below are concrete actions — friendly, neighbourhood-style — that economists and career counsellors converge on. Think of these as a toolkit you can use yourself, share with family, or bring to a local newcomer group.

1. Map your landscape:
Every province has its own labour story. Research where your skills are most needed — what’s booming in Vancouver may not be in Halifax. Knowing where the demand lies helps you direct your energy purposefully.

2. Get credential clarity early:
If your field is regulated (like nursing or engineering), get your qualifications assessed as soon as possible. Bridging programs and settlement agencies can help you understand what’s required — saving time and avoiding frustration later.

3. Build “Canadian” experience creatively:
When employers ask for local experience, don’t lose heart. You can gain it through volunteering, internships, community projects, or short-term contracts. These experiences build credibility and, more importantly, connections.

4. Upskill with purpose:
Focus on short, practical certifications that align with local job needs — digital skills, data analytics, healthcare aide training, or project management. Micro-credentials can help bridge small gaps and open big doors.

5. Network like a neighbour:
Your next opportunity might not come from a job board — it might come from a conversation. Attend local meetups, join newcomer mentorship programs, and reconnect with former classmates or neighbours. Every handshake counts.

6. Seek holistic support:
Career development is not just about finding a job; it’s about finding stability. Look for organizations that offer both employment services and personal support, like mental health resources, childcare information, and settlement help.

7. Tell your story powerfully:
Your journey matters. Instead of hiding your overqualification, frame it as a strength. Show how your skills, global perspective, and adaptability make you an asset to any organization.

Honest realities and a final word of encouragement

There’s no sugarcoat: policy shifts (like Express Entry changes) and public debates about immigration levels can make the path feel uncertain. But underneath the policy noise, employers are still hiring — especially where skills meet local demand. The key is combining realistic navigation of systems (credentialing, local demand, provincial programs) with community resources (mentors, settlement services, family support) and adaptable upskilling.
For young workers and families: focus on small wins — an evaluated credential, a local volunteer role, a mentor contact — and build from there. The job market is complex, but your community (family, neighbours, local programs) and practical steps can make it navigable.

The power of community

In every city, there are community centers, libraries, and immigrant-serving agencies quietly changing lives — connecting newcomers to mentors, workshops, and opportunities. These spaces remind us that the job search is not a solo journey.
When families support each other, when neighbours share information, and when local groups open their doors — hope starts to take root. Together, we turn isolation into belonging.

A final word — from one newcomer to another

If you’ve ever felt overqualified, overlooked, or unseen, I want you to know — you’re not alone.

Canada’s job market can be confusing and disheartening, but it’s not impossible. You may face rejection, you may question your worth, and you may even feel invisible at times. But every experience — even the painful ones — is shaping you for the right opportunity ahead.
Keep showing up. Keep learning. Keep reaching out.

Your qualifications, your journey, your resilience — they are not obstacles. They are your stories, and that story has power.

One day soon, the same system that said “overqualified” will say, “We’ve been waiting for someone like you.”

REFERENCES

– Statistics Canada. (2025, January 10). Labour force characteristics: Unemployment, inactive, by immigrant status (Table 14-10-0083-01). https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1410008301

– Statistics Canada. (2025, January 10). Labour force characteristics of immigrants by sex and age group, three-month moving average (Table 14-10-0084-01). https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1410008401

– Statistics Canada. (2024). Immigration and the shifting occupational distribution in Canada. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/36-28-0001/2024003/article/00006-eng.htm

– Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. (2021). Occupational Outcomes of Immigrants: Lower Versus Higher Skilled (Evaluation R5-2021). https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/documents/pdf/english/corporate/reports-statistics/evaluations/r5-2021-outcomes-eng.pdf

– TRIEC (Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council). (n.d.). Immigrant Employment: Facts and Figures. https://triec.ca/about-us/focus-on-immigrant-employment/

– Workers’ Action Centre. (2017). Building Decent Jobs from the Ground Up: Submission to the Changing Workplaces Review. https://workersactioncentre.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Building-Decent-Jobs-from-the-Ground-Up_eng.pdf

– Workers’ Action Centre. (2025, July). Deena Ladd Brings the Fire at Convention 2025 Keynote. https://opseu.org/news/deena-ladd-brings-the-fire-at-convention-2025-keynote/266632/

– WES (World Education Services). (2025). Reimagining Canada’s Immigration System. https://knowledge.wes.org/rs/317-CTM-316/images/wes-canada-report-renewed-vision-of-immigration-wes-roundtable-report.pdf

– Statistics Canada. (2024). The improvement in the labour market outcomes of recent immigrants. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/36-28-0001/2024002/article/00004-eng.htm