Although employers and job seekers often share spaces through application processes, interviews, and coffee meetings in the workplace, how much time do they actually spend getting to truly understand one another?
The theme of this year’s Alberta Global Talent Conference, hosted by ERIEC, was Pathways to Progress: Unlocking Potential for Employers & Newcomers, which brought forward an important realization: there is often a disconnect between what employers believe job seekers are looking for, what job seekers think employers expect from them, and what both actually want. In many cases, these assumptions do not align, and opportunities for meaningful connection, mutual understanding, and successful employment outcomes can be missed.
The Alberta Global Talent Conference created a space where internationally trained professionals could hear directly from Canadian employers about what employers value in the workplace. At the same time, it offered employers the opportunity to listen to the challenges newcomers face when trying to navigate the Canadian job market. Importantly, these conversations took place outside of the traditional spaces where employers and job seekers usually interact; spaces often restricted by rigid application processes, digital platforms, and formal interview settings. In those environments, communication can be limited by structure and expectations, leaving little room for honest dialogue.
An interesting poll during YEG Connect’s presentation at the conference illustrated this disconnect. Employers were first asked to rank what they believed were the top priorities of international newcomers entering the Canadian job market. Then, job-seeking newcomers were asked to rank their own priorities. The results might be surprising:
Empowering employers and newcomers to thrive in Canada’s evolving labour market means more than simply creating job opportunities or filling skill gaps. It also means carving out the time for meaningful dialogue, opportunities where both employers and job seekers can truly hear one another, share their perspectives, and challenge assumptions. The conversations that emerged at the conference reinforced the importance of these shared spaces, where expectations, challenges, and goals can be discussed openly.
By attending this year’s Alberta Global Talent Conference, employers and job seekers took the first step towards inclusive workplaces and stronger professional opportunities.
YEG Connect, led by the Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council (ERIEC) is part of a national coalition of Immigrant Employment Councils, working together to simplify and strengthen the process of hiring newcomers and internationally trained professionals. Funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, YEG Connect aims to make it easier for employers to recruit the skills, experience, and diverse perspectives of immigrants while helping build a more inclusive Canadian workforce. We also thank the Government of Alberta for funding our regional hub.