4 scary hiring mistakes to avoid in Canada’s Tech industry

Don't let your hiring strategy become a horror story. From hiring freezes and AI disruption to the eerie disappearance of entry-level tech roles, Canada's tech hiring landscape is more haunted than ever. Discover what's keeping talent leaders up at night and what remains top of mind when hiring tech talent in today's market. 

Canada’s Tech Hiring Nightmare: Why employers need to wake up

There's never been a more unsettling time in Canada's tech job market, and I'm not just saying that because Halloween is around the corner. As CTV News puts it, once-reliable career paths for computer science grads are vanishing like ghosts, and hiring strategies that worked last year may now be dead in the water. 

Read on for five considerations to help you avoid hiring horrors and secure the tech talent your business needs to survive and thrive. 

The Hiring Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make

Inspired by Indeed's blog, “15 Considerations for Working in Tech”, this article distills five key hiring mistakes employers must avoid. As tech professionals and organizations navigate AI disruption, remote work, and fading career paths, organizations must rethink how they attract and retain talent.   

Let’s dive into the four scariest hiring mistakes. 

1. Misjudging the Market 

Canada's tech talent market is not what it used to be. As a Yahoo article puts it, it has gone from boom to bust in a matter of years, and ignoring the shift is a costly mistake, making tech firms rethink their workforce strategies.   

Hiring freezes, AI disruption, and the disappearance of entry-level roles have reshaped the talent pool. Understanding which roles are emerging, which are fading, and where the competition is fiercest is essential to avoid slow hiring, poor fits, and wasted resources. Employers must stay informed to remain competitive. 

2. Clinging to Outdated Hiring Practices 

Outdated recruitment practices are driving skilled tech professionals elsewhere. When companies neglect to set clear expectations, communicate timelines effectively, or provide adaptable options, they create barriers that modern candidates are unwilling to accept. Inflexible criteria and sluggish responses not only tarnish your employer's reputation but also hinder talent acquisition and lead to subpar onboarding experiences. 

3. Overvaluing the Weight of Job Titles 

In today's rapidly evolving tech landscape, job titles often fail to capture actual competence. As AI takes over many foundational responsibilities, conventional labels are losing their significance. Employers should evaluate applicants based on practical expertise, flexibility, and measurable contributions, rather than relying solely on formal qualifications or previous positions. Agility, above all, is essential. Seek individuals who can navigate both industry transformations and the unique demands of your organization. Placing too much weight on titles can lead to misguided hiring choices and overlooked potential. 

4. Overlooking Retention Warning Signs

Many companies believe the hiring process is complete once a candidate begins their role, but retention should be integrated into the strategy from the very beginning. Tech professionals are increasingly mobile, with annual turnover rates ranging from 13% to 21%. High attrition disrupts projects, depletes budgets, and diminishes employer reputation. Ghosting is not just a candidate behavior; it often points to deeper issues in how organizations retain talent. Companies that fail to provide clear career advancement, flexible work options, and meaningful roles risk losing valuable employees to more forward-thinking competitors. 

What’s Next for Your Organization 

The scariest hiring mistake isn't hiring the wrong person; it's building a team that's unprepared for what's next. Whether you're scaling AI capabilities, recovering from a hiring freeze, or trying to retain restless talent, your next move matters.  

Hays experts support you with salary benchmarking, market intelligence, onboarding strategies, and beyond to help you make confident, future-ready hiring decisions. 

Connect with our Technology Recruitment Specialists today.