Tariffs Not Slowing Recruiting—Yet
While Goldbeck Recruiting President Henry Goldbeck acknowledges that tariffs may bring some challenges to the Canadian economy, he says the recruiting business remains strong for now.
“We’ve seen surprisingly few actual consequences so far,” he says. “Recent weeks have been among the busiest we’ve had in the past year in terms of new searches coming in.”2
If organizations are forced to make cuts, he expects other companies to seize the opportunity to recruit highly skilled talent that becomes available.
“High performers with specific industry and functional experience likely won’t be out of work for long,” he says.
Advice for Job Seekers: Seek Stability
What advice does Goldbeck have for candidates being recruited during uncertain times? Be open to opportunities, but do your homework.
“You should always be cautious about the stability of an organization you’re considering, but probably even more so now,” he says.
He urges candidates to ask potential employers thoughtful questions.
“They’ll be checking your references, so you can ask them about company finances or their strategy in response to tariffs,” he advises.
Increased Demand for Tradespeople with International Experience?
Goldbeck is optimistic that Canada can rise to the occasion and navigate the economic and political uncertainty it faces. If the country successfully diversifies its trade relationships, he believes this could lead to a greater demand for tradespeople with international experience.
“We haven’t seen it yet, but companies may start seeking tradespeople with experience in Europe, Asia, or South America,” he says.
Not Much Fat to Cut in the Canadian Labour Market?
If Canada experiences an economic downturn, Goldbeck says layoffs are inevitable—but perhaps not as widespread as one might expect.
“After going through the pandemic and a tight labour market, there may not be a lot of fat left to cut,” he says.
