GTA Job Seekers: Here is your Competitive Edge Checklist for 2025 

The job market in the GTA is competitive now, for a variety of reasons, but two reasons that are top of mind are the adjustments required to be agile in our economy due to the new trade environment and the quick rise in tech and AI enhancements across all industries. Employers are flooded with applications — but only a handful of candidates consistently rise above the crowd. 

So how do you increase your chances to rise above? Develop your competitive edge! Use this checklist to help you stand out from the competition: 

☐ Tailor each resume & cover letter to the specific job posting – mirror their language  

☐ Optimize your resume with keywords that match the job description (ATS-friendly). 

☐ Keep your LinkedIn profile updated: professional photo, headline, and relevant skills. 

☐ Add quantifiable results and measurable achievements to your resume and interview answers – use metrics of increase, reduction, expansion and retention 

☐ Show digital fluency (Teams, Slack, Zoom, CRMs, AI tools) paired with critical thinking skills when using AI – employers are looking for those who don’t use AI blindly 

☐ Prepare STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories for behavioural interviews that match the combination of soft and hard skills needed for the job  

☐ Highlight communication, teamwork, adaptability, and intercultural awareness to accommodate the diverse and collaborative nature of work environments in the GTA 

☐ Build your professional brand: engage on LinkedIn, attend networking events, volunteer in industry spaces to build your reputation as a valuable problem solver in your industry 

☐ Follow up with thank-you emails and respond quickly with professionalism. 

☐ Commit to continuous learning: update certifications, take micro-credentials, and highlight recent training. 

If you want support and guidance while you work on this checklist, contact our Employment Services team.