Career Professionals of Canada News Feed

Interpretation: Making Sense of Uncertainty in Career Development

May 26, 2026 |

You may have noticed something changing in career development over the past few years. Clients now have access to more information, more technology, and more career advice than ever before, yet many seem more uncertain than ever. They question what to trust and how to move forward. Increasingly, career professionals are discovering that the work is not simply about finding information, but interpreting it. This idea also surfaced repeatedly during the development of Career Professionals of Canada’s Certified Future Strategist (CFS) program. It emerged gradually across research, conversations with practitioners,…

Supporting Newcomers and International Talent in Transition

May 19, 2026 |

Canada relies on newcomers’ skills and global experience to strengthen its workforce and communities. For many immigrants, temporary foreign workers, and international graduates, career decisions are closely tied to immigration status. Choices about occupation, location, and employer can influence permanent residency (PR) eligibility. Understanding the basics of Canada’s immigration system is therefore increasingly important. While Career Development Practitioners (CDPs) do not provide immigration advice, basic immigration literacy helps guide clients more effectively and align career decisions with long-term settlement goals. Canada’s Immigration Strategy: Increasingly Targeted Canada’s immigration policy continues to…

The Awkward Session Doesn’t Book Itself

May 5, 2026 |

Most career practitioners have had this experience. A session that started reasonably well begins to feel awkward. The client grows quieter, or becomes vague, or oddly compliant. The practitioner works harder — explaining more, encouraging more, offering more options. By the end, both people are tired, and progress feels less certain than it did at the start. Without anyone doing anything wrong, something shifted. It is worth understanding why. The System Sets the Stage In 1980, I was a financial assistance worker with the BC Government. My first client was…

Beyond the Hire: A Playbook for Employee Retention in Canada

April 21, 2026 |

In the 2026 labour market, we know that the traditional “find a job and stay forever” model has largely disappeared. Careers are now more fluid, characterized by hybrid work, non-linear paths, multiple roles, work-life choices, and evolving worker expectations. During “The Great Resignation” of 2021 and 2022, employee retention took a hit. People were voluntarily leaving their jobs to seek employment that more closely aligned with their values, goals, needs, and purpose. But times have changed. In 2025, the unemployment rate in Canada trended upward to reach a high of…

The Silent Weight of Career Development Work

April 14, 2026 |

I am guilty of poking fun at my fellow career professionals when I hear them say something like “Thank goodness it’s Friday!” My reaction to this comes from a bit of a superior attitude about our field. I, ridiculously, assume that if we are to help others find fulfilling careers we should be enthusiastic about every second of our work and even be disappointed when the weekend comes. Now, as I reflect on that reaction, I wonder why is it that, sometimes, we get weary as we deliver what I…

The Real Work Résumé Writers Do and Why It Matters

April 7, 2026 |

Many résumé writers feel unsettled right now. I hear it in private conversations, CPC community discussions, and questions that start with, “Do you think this work is changing too fast?” After 20 years in this industry, and 18 running Career Impressions, I’ve watched our field evolve through economic cycles, the pandemic, hiring debates, and now major discussions about automation and AI. While uncertainty may feel louder today, it is not new to us. Résumé Writing Has Always Been About More Than Documents My business began as a small, local practice.…