Canada has enjoyed a relatively low 5 percent unemployment rate since the beginning of 2023. However, this has been accompanied by a labour shortage, affecting both skilled and unskilled workers. While not a great situation for employers, it's good news for those looking for new types of careers.
Of course, a career change isn't just about locking in a different job. You want a job that gives you opportunities for career advancement. If you're set on a new career path, keep reading for some of 2023's fastest growing careers.
You can think of growth marketing managers as the people in charge of boosting revenue. They achieve this through a range of marketing strategies that boost everything from acquisitions to referrals.
Growth marketing managers depend a great deal on data. That means you'll need solid data analysis skills to tease out trends and weaknesses in your company's approach.
You'll also need excellent interpersonal skills to understand and respond to customer needs and perspectives effectively.
Finally, you must have a comfort level with a range of digital marketing strategies and tactics, such as:
You also need some more traditional marketing skills. For example, you'll want skills in designing referral programs and working with advertising channels.
It's true that big tech companies have put a stop to their mass hiring frenzy of the last couple of years. Yet, web developers are still in demand. A big part of the reason for that is small and medium-sized businesses coming around to the idea that they need websites.
After all, the world at large turned to e-commerce during the pandemic. E-commerce growth has slowed recently. Yet, most new businesses enter the market looking for ways they can use e-commerce as part of their business model.
Web developers primarily write the code for the websites. They use a variety of common programming languages and frameworks, such as:
Using these languages, they create both static elements and on-site functions. Common functions they might develop are log-ins, shopping carts, and integrations with payment portals.
If you decide you want to work for a web development company, though, you should prepare for virtual interviews. Many web developer jobs are fully remote these days.
While many people make decent or even good money, it's not a foregone conclusion that they can manage that money. In fact, many otherwise responsible individuals struggle with effectively managing their personal finances. That's why there is almost always growth in the financial advisor sector.
Financial advisors are primarily there to help others make sense of their finances and achieve their financial goals. So, let's say that someone is constantly living beyond their means and racking up debt.
A financial advisor will help that person make a budget that keeps them living within their means. Ideally, it will also get them paying down that debt.
Financial advisors also help people establish and meet long-term financial goals. For example, let's say that someone wants to buy a house down the road. The advisor can help them develop a savings plan to put away enough for a down payment in a particular number of years.
Depending on the exact path you take, you will likely need some formal financial education and certifications or licenses.
Of course, not everyone is cut out for working in offices and staring at computers all day. Fortunately, there are jobs out there that will get you away from the office.
There are a wide variety of driver jobs out there. Some common examples include:
Granted, you will need the appropriate license for most driver jobs. Check your local province's rules for getting the different license types, as requirements can vary by location.
With the economy recovering, the need for drivers will only increase. After all, someone has to get those goods from point A to point Z.
Even as demand rises, there are not enough veterinarians in Canada. This is also nothing new. It's been an issue for years now.
The why of it is a simple numbers game. There are more veterinarians leaving the business each year than there are replacements graduating from vet programs. While not great for Canada's animal population, it's an opportunity to enter a field with a lot of career growth potential.
Granted, becoming a veterinarian takes a lot of education and a provincial license. If you're looking at your career as a long-term project, though, becoming a vet can truly serve as a game changer for you.
One of the ironies of a low unemployment rate and a labour shortage is that it increases the demand for recruitment officers. Recruitment officers are the people who go out and headhunt new employees.
They use a variety of strategies to achieve this. For example, they may develop job postings for online job boards. They may also find people with the right qualifications working for other companies and reach out to them directly. They also recruit students on the verge of graduating.
Recruitment officers often play a supporting role in other human resources activities. Some common activities they may help with include:
These jobs usually require a degree in areas like business admin, psychology, or industrial relations.
Administrative assistants don't usually get a lot of glory, but they play a key role in the success of many businesses. In general, they handle a range of clerical and support tasks in a professional environment.
An administrative assistant might prepare or proofread correspondence or other documents. They may also schedule appointments, make travel arrangements, and maintain filing systems. They may also do research tasks and assemble data for use by other staff members.
Some administrative assistants specialize in certain kinds of work, such as bookkeeping or marketing. These additional skills can make you look like a better bet to a potential employer.
For those aspiring to transition into the administrative assistant field, it's important to note that only some skills may be transferrable. If that sounds like you, you'll probably want professional help writing your resume. A professional can help you highlight where your skills and experience are a good fit.
Nursing is another profession where Canada faces a current and growing shortage. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the pre-existing nursing shortage, as the stress and demands of the pandemic have led to increased burnout in the medical field.
Yet, the shortage already existed before Covid came on the scene. Much like with the veterinarian shortage, the nursing shortage represents an opportunity.
With too few nurses, you can expect more opportunities for advancement. You can probably also expect those opportunities to happen faster. As people retire, more supervisory and management positions will open up with less competition.
Of course, advancing may also require additional education as you go.
Welders are another profession with an existing shortage across the country that will only get worse over the next decade. That means lots of work on the horizon for someone with the right skills.
Welding is a trade that requires specialized training. You can start with a welding training program at schools across the nation. The diploma or certificate you get is often enough to get your foot in the door in the industry.
You can expand on this training with an apprenticeship program. In most cases, you need an employer to sponsor you for an apprenticeship. So, do your best to make a good impression on your bosses and coworkers when you get that first job in a welding shop.
Merchandisers play a funny role in the world of retail stores. They can work either directly for the retailer or may work for third-party businesses that specialise in merchandising.
A merchandiser brings in new products and sets up displays that will attract customers and increase sales. Merchandisers may also provide input on product purchases, track inventory, and monitor trends.
Education requirements vary from high school to a bachelor's degree, depending on the employer.
Choosing from among the fastest-growing careers will largely depend on your individual circumstances. In some cases, the right degree will let you make a lateral move into a different kind of career. In other cases, you may need entirely new training.
The right pick for you will hinge on how much new education or training you feel comfortable taking on. It will also depend on how big of a change you want to make.
CareerHD specializes in career coaching, interview coaching, and resume writing. If you need help with your career transition, contact CareerHD today.
