career trends 2024: where ambition meets a sense of belonging.

In the realm of professional ambitions and workplace priorities, Canada unfolds a tapestry of aspirations and perspectives that define its professional landscape. Let's explore the unique outlooks shaping the Canadian workforce.

ambition, yes, but not at the expense of balance. 

Over half of surveyed Canadian workers aspire to advance in their careers (51%). This is not surprising. However, does this ambition mean an unwavering pursuit of climbing the career ladder? Similar to their American counterparts, 52% of respondents seem content with their current roles and progression, showing no interest in additional managerial responsibilities. Thus, professional ambition does not necessarily correlate with a desire for increased responsibilities.

Furthermore, job security emerges as a major concern, with nearly half of workers (44%) worrying about potential job loss. Despite these concerns, professionals are determined to maintain a balance between their professional and personal lives, prioritizing happiness, mental health, and personal life over employment. This reflects a widespread trend favoring holistic well-being.

Looking ahead, 66% contemplate committing long-term to a full-time position within a company over the next 5 years, indicating a preference for stability.

flexibility, still the name of the game. 

In the past six months, employers have demanded increased physical presence from their employees, requiring them to spend more days at the office. One-third of talents now face heightened expectations for in-person work. However, the workforce has grown accustomed to a more flexible work environment. Many have structured their lives with the assumption that remote work will persist post-pandemic and are reluctant to abandon this lifestyle. A remarkable 47% of Canadian workers want to work from home (compared to 39% globally). Employers must continue to offer a more adaptable and accommodating approach to work.

the importance of being your true self at work.

 According to a widespread opinion among Canadian workers, employers must cultivate a more equitable and diverse workplace. Over a third of respondents would consider rejecting job offers if the company's values do not align with theirs (35%). For 32% of respondents, a company's social and environmental values hold significant importance.

However, the survey highlights a somewhat perplexing finding: over half of workers (59%) admit to concealing certain aspects of their personality at work. This suggests that, despite efforts to create inclusive workplaces, employers still have work to do if they want their employees to feel comfortable expressing their true selves transparently and authentically.

Now more than ever, it is imperative for organizations to clearly communicate their values, embody them in daily operations, continually assess their employees' well-being in real-time, and proactively manage the expectations of a diverse and dynamic workforce.

upskilling is an imperative for today’s talent.

Upskilling and reskilling opportunities emerge as a necessity for talents in today's job market. Over a third of respondents (32%) would not accept a job that does not offer learning and development opportunities to future proof skills. In terms of learning priorities, Canadians want to develop skills in AI (26%), IT and tech literacy (26%), and wellbeing and mindfulness (26%).

As Sander van 't Noordende, CEO of Randstad, emphasizes, organizations must adopt the new ABC of talent to stand out as preferred employers. A represents ambition and skills development at the core of career decisions. B represents balance and the need to thrive in both personal and professional life. C represents connection: employers must nurture daily connections with workers to better understand their needs and desires. "Organizations must demonstrate that they truly understand workers' ambitions, their desire for balance, and the need for connection," he explains.

about randstad workmonitor

The 21st-year Workmonitor surveys working individuals in 34 markets across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas to gain insights into their attitudes, ambitions, and expectations amid ongoing transformations in the world of work. The online survey includes respondents aged 18–67, comprising those employed for at least 24 hours per week, sole traders, or individuals considering job-seeking in the future. There is a minimum sample size of 500 interviews per market. The 2024 study, conducted from October 23 to November 11, 2023, involved 27,000 workers.