Job Seekers Struggle to Identify Hiring Differentiators, Survey Finds

Event summary

  • Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey reveals job seekers are more aware of dealbreakers (64% cite rudeness, 61% late arrivals) than hiring differentiators.
  • Top perceived hiring strengths include references (45%), passion for the role (43%), and company research (42%).
  • 20% of candidates admit to exaggerating skills on resumes, with Gen Z (30%) and Millennials (25%) more likely to do so.
  • Survey conducted Nov. 7-21, 2025 among 502 Canadian adults aged 18+.

The big picture

The survey highlights a persistent disconnect between job seeker perceptions and employer priorities in Canada's uncertain labor market. While dealbreakers are clear, the lack of consensus on hiring strengths suggests an opportunity for staffing firms to provide more targeted candidate coaching. Express Employment Professionals' findings come as the Canadian job market faces ongoing volatility, with sectors like tech and professional services particularly sensitive to hiring mismatches.

What we're watching

Credential Verification
How employers will respond to the 20% of candidates exaggerating qualifications, particularly in skills-intensive roles.
Hiring Differentiation
Whether job seekers can bridge the gap between perceived and actual hiring strengths, particularly around measurable achievements.
Generational Hiring
The pace at which younger workers' resume practices will adapt to employer scrutiny, particularly post-pandemic hiring normalization.