On October 23, TalentWise Collective was proud to sponsor DisruptHR KW 7.0—a high-energy event that brought together HR and business leaders from across the Kitchener-Waterloo region to share ideas that challenge convention and inspire change.

In this article, we share the ins and outs of an executive job search from the perspective of a seasoned Executive People and Culture Leader. Janet Dodge is someone I’ve partnered with over the years, and during a recent conversation, she shared that she has completed 150 networking meetings as part of her recent job search. 150 is an astounding number of meetings and in just four months. I asked her to share her story of how she has stayed positive, relevant, resilient, and true to herself while she navigates macroeconomic uncertainty, sluggish hiring cycles, election cycles, tariffs and technological barriers that have slowed down market activity.  

We all know that the job market is changing fast, and The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 reveals where the job market is headed. By 2030, some roles will boom while others fade away. To stay ahead, workers and job seekers need to commit to lifelong learning. Tech skills, adaptability, and emotional intelligence aren’t just nice to have—they’re essential to thrive in the future of work. Here are some of the key themes from this year’s report: 

Last year, early spring, I began to notice a woman during my lunch-time walks. She was struggling with a walker, moving slowly and seemingly painfully down the street. Based on her appearance, I assumed she had recently had a stroke. Every day, like clockwork, she took one step at a time. I would often say hello, but her gaze was always directed downward toward the sidewalk, and she would respond with a small nod of her head. I often wondered how difficult it must be for her, and from the glimpses I took, she appeared to be in her early to mid-60s. Yet, despite my curiosity, I would pass her by caught up in my busy, hectic life and thoughts.

After finally finishing up my undergraduate degree and diving into the workforce on a full-time basis, I have finally been fully confronted with the reality that many of my friends have warned me of: the yawning abyss of the Canadian job market. For young people, the current Canadian labour market feels fraught: soaring unemployment, escalating competition, and fading optimism. 

The recent news surrounding Hockey Canada has once again thrust the issues of misconduct, misogyny, and the culture ingrained in male sports into the spotlight. This post is not about who did what, the specifics of this case, or the legal outcome. It’s my perspective as a mother of both a son and a daughter, and the broader lessons we need to teach our children—especially our sons—about respect, morality, and human decency.