Ben Lamarche, General Manager of Lock Search Group Toronto, an executive search firm specializing in tech talent placement, has a unique vantage point on the city’s evolving job market. Working with both employers seeking specific skills and candidates positioning themselves for success, he sees firsthand the growing gap between what companies need and what talent offers.
The transformation in Toronto’s tech landscape has been remarkable. According to recent data, mentions of generative AI in Canadian job postings doubled in 2024. This statistic aligns perfectly with what executive search firms are experiencing daily. Companies that weren’t considering AI twelve months ago are now making it a cornerstone of their hiring strategy.
AI Skills Dominate Client Requests
“Just last week, I had three separate clients – a fintech startup, an established retailer, and a healthcare company – all competing for the same AI engineer,” said Lamarche. “This wasn’t happening two years ago. The competition for AI talent has become fierce.”
AI requirements are filtering into every role that executive search firms fill. Marketing managers need to understand AI-driven analytics. Sales leaders want experience with AI-powered CRM systems. Even executive assistants are being asked about their familiarity with AI productivity tools. This shift has required a complete revamp of candidate assessment processes across the industry.
Candidates with practical AI experience – those who’ve actually deployed models or integrated AI into existing systems – command salary premiums of 20-30% over their peers. Machine learning engineers with demonstrable experience are receiving multiple offers within days of entering the market. The demand has reached unprecedented levels.
Traditional Tech Skills Still Command Premium
Despite the AI frenzy, core technical skills remain absolutely vital. Canada’s tech workforce continued expanding through 2024-2025, with sustained demand for software developers, cybersecurity experts, and data analysts. These roles form the backbone of Toronto’s tech ecosystem.
Companies still desperately need professionals who can write clean, maintainable code. Full-stack developers with strong JavaScript and Python skills are receiving multiple offers. Cloud architects with AWS or Azure certifications are writing their own tickets. DevOps engineers who can streamline deployment pipelines remain highly sought after.
“Cybersecurity has become particularly hot,” Lamarche noted. “One client recently told me they’d rather delay a product launch than proceed without proper security expertise on the team. That’s how critical this skill set has become.”
The Digital Skills Revolution
National research shows that nearly half of the requested skills are now digital, with clusters around high-tech, business analytics, and communication. This matches exactly what placement data reveals. The most successful candidates aren’t just technically proficient; they’re digitally fluent across multiple domains.
Hiring managers are evaluating candidates differently than before. They’re looking for people who can navigate the entire digital ecosystem – backend developers who understand user experience principles, data scientists who can communicate findings to executives, and product managers who can read and understand code. These hybrid professionals are placed most quickly and at the highest compensation levels.
“Our team tracks placement success rates, and candidates with broad digital literacy have a 40% higher placement rate than those with narrow specializations,” said Lamarche. “It’s a clear signal from the market about what employers value.”
Soft Skills Make the Difference
In twenty years of executive search, soft skills have never mattered more than they do now. The shift to remote and hybrid work has fundamentally changed how teams collaborate, and offers are falling through not because of technical gaps, but because of communication concerns.
“I recently worked with a brilliant engineer who struggled in interviews because they couldn’t articulate their ideas clearly,” Lamarche recalled. “After some coaching on presentation skills, they landed their dream job. This scenario plays out repeatedly.”
Technical excellence gets candidates in the door, but communication skills, emotional intelligence, and leadership potential determine whether they get the offer. Toronto’s multicultural business environment adds another layer – professionals who can navigate diverse teams, bridge cultural differences, and build inclusive environments are becoming the leaders of tomorrow’s tech companies.
Industry Specialization Pays Off
Through extensive work with Toronto’s diverse industries, it’s clear that sector-specific knowledge commands significant premiums. Financial services clients don’t just want developers; they want developers who understand regulatory compliance, risk management, and financial instruments. Healthcare companies seek professionals who grasp patient privacy requirements and clinical workflows.
A recent placement involved a data engineer with fintech experience who secured a 35% salary increase simply because they understood both the technical and regulatory aspects of financial data processing. This kind of domain expertise proves incredibly valuable in Toronto’s market.
“My advice to candidates is always to develop deep knowledge in at least one industry vertical,” said Lamarche.
Continuous Learning as a Career Strategy
The most successful professionals in Toronto’s tech scene are perpetual learners. This isn’t about collecting certifications, though those help. It means genuinely staying curious and continuously expanding capabilities.
“The candidates who impress me most are those who can discuss recent experiments they’ve conducted, side projects they’ve built, or new technologies they’re exploring,” Lamarche explained. “When I present these candidates to clients, the enthusiasm is palpable. Companies want people who will grow with them, not those who will become obsolete in two years.”
Lock Search Group has implemented learning and development discussions in all candidate assessments. The focus is on understanding not just what someone knows today, but their capacity and enthusiasm for learning tomorrow’s technologies.
Emerging Opportunities
Current searches and client conversations reveal several emerging areas gaining traction. Quantum computing expertise is starting to appear in job requirements. Edge computing skills are increasingly valuable. Sustainable technology and green computing knowledge are becoming differentiators.
There’s also increased demand for professionals who understand AI ethics, bias mitigation, and responsible AI deployment. These aren’t just nice-to-have considerations anymore; they’re becoming core requirements for senior technical roles.
Strategic Advice for Toronto Tech Professionals
Based on thousands of placements and countless conversations with both employers and candidates, the strategic advice is clear: build a T-shaped skill profile. Developing deep expertise in one or two areas while maintaining broader knowledge across the tech stack provides both the specialization employers need and the adaptability to evolve with the market.
“Network actively within Toronto’s tech community,” Lamarche advised. “Many of our best placements come through referrals and connections made at local meetups and events. The hidden job market is real, and personal connections often lead to the most exciting opportunities.”
Candidates shouldn’t underestimate the power of storytelling. Those who can articulate their journey, explain their impact, and connect their experience to business outcomes are the ones who land the best roles.
“Toronto’s tech market is experiencing unprecedented growth and transformation,” said Lamarche. “As someone who’s deeply embedded in this ecosystem, I can confidently say that there’s never been a more exciting time to be in tech in Toronto.”
The combination of AI advancement, strong demand for traditional tech skills, and the increasing importance of soft skills creates tremendous opportunities for prepared professionals. The key is staying adaptable, continuously learning, and understanding that technical skills alone aren’t enough – professionals need to be complete packages who can drive business value through technology.
Other articles from totimes.ca – otttimes.ca – mtltimes.ca
You must be logged in to post a comment.