The Hiring Pyramid in Canada - Why You're Competing for the Wrong Jobs

August 11, 2025 by
Cerial
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The Hiring Pyramid in Canada – Why You’re Competing for the Wrong Jobs


Last Week, we talked about why sending hundreds of resumes doesn’t guarantee interviews.

Today, I’m revealing the Hiring Pyramid—a framework that explains why so many newcomers struggle to land opportunities in Canada.


The Canadian Hiring Pyramid: How Jobs Really Get Filled

If you imagine the job market as a pyramid, here’s what it looks like:


Top Tier (Smallest Layer – Least Visible)

Internal Promotions & Transfers – Companies often fill roles by promoting someone already inside the organization. These jobs are rarely advertised.


Middle Tier (Bigger Layer – Somewhat Visible)

Referrals & Network Hires – These are jobs that do get posted, but the hiring manager already has candidates recommended by trusted employees or industry connections.


Bottom Tier (Largest Layer – Most Visible)

Public Job Postings – The open market everyone sees. These jobs get hundreds of applications and are the toughest to land without an internal connection.



Why This Matters for You

Most newcomers aim almost exclusively at the bottom tier—public postings—without realizing that the real action happens in the top two tiers.


This is why:


You apply online ✅


You wait ⏳


You hear nothing ❌


It’s not that you’re not qualified. It’s that you’re competing in the noisiest part of the market.


The Key Takeaway


If you want more interviews, you must move up the pyramid.


That means:


  • Building connections inside companies before jobs are posted
  • Getting referred by people who can vouch for your skills
  • Showing up in spaces where decision-makers already are (events, LinkedIn, industry groups)


Your Challenge Action for Today


💬 Tag someone who needs to learn about the Hiring Pyramid in Canada.

If this made you rethink your job search strategy, share it with a friend who’s still relying on the “apply and pray” method.


Want to Join our Job Search Accelerator?


📞 Book a free 15-minute discovery call with me.

In this quick session, we’ll:


Review your current job search approach


Identify what’s keeping you stuck


Give you one actionable step to move forward this week


📅 Spots are limited—Use the Calendly link below to schedule a phone call with with one of our career advisors,


https://calendly.com/cerialprojectsinc/15-minute-meeting-viaphone


Next Week, we’ll uncover the Hidden Job Market and exactly how to access it—without feeling awkward or pushy.


🔔 Follow this challenge so you don’t miss the next step in moving from newcomer to hired.



#FromNewcomerToHired #CanadianJobSearch #HiddenJobMarket #NetworkingTips #CareerAdviceCanada #NewcomerSuccess #JobSearchTips #CanadianJobs #ReferralsWork #LinkedInTips #GetHiredCanada #NewCareerPath


Action Plan (3–5 Steps)


STEP 1 — Map Your Network in Three Circles


Circle A: People who already trust you (former colleagues, classmates, mentors)


Circle B: People who know you casually (LinkedIn connections, event attendees)


Circle C: People you want to meet (industry leaders, hiring managers)


Start with Circle A—your warmest opportunities.


STEP 2 — Add Value to 3 People This Week


Examples:


Share a relevant industry report


Comment thoughtfully on someone’s LinkedIn post


Congratulate someone on a milestone with a meaningful message


Offer your help on a small task or insight


This gently builds rapport without ever asking for help.


STEP 3 — Become Visible by Posting Once a Week


Post about:


lessons from your job search


industry insights


your learning journey in supply chain, operations, PM, or analytics


your volunteer contributions


Visibility = trust.


Trust = referrals.


STEP 4 — Request Informational Conversations, Not Favors


A 15-minute conversation is easier to say yes to than a referral request.


At the end, many professionals will naturally offer:

“Let me introduce you to someone.”


STEP 5 — Track Your Network Growth


Use a simple spreadsheet to track:


Who you engaged with


Who you added value to


Who responded


Warm connections forming


This becomes your referral engine.


Social Proof / Trust-Building Line


Over 600 professionals have accelerated their career integration through Cerial Project Services and the Supply Chain Industry Network—gaining mentorship, mock interviews, volunteer experience, and referrals that changed their lives.





Cerial August 11, 2025
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