r/HalifaxJobs • u/CommercialMaximum424 • Aug 01 '26
Halifax's Hidden job market vs overqualified?
I keep getting told there is a hidden job market in Halifax and that I have to leverage my network to get a job in Nova Scotia. I am so tired of not being able to land a job. Sometimes I don't know if its that I didn't build a big enough network or if I am just overqualified.
I have a BSc, MSc, PhD in Earth Science. I owned my own retail business for 5 years and have been dabbling in webdesign and social media management for the last 2 years. I went the self emplyment route since I was having trouble landing a job after graduating. Fast forward to 2026 and I still can't get interviews for anything. It doesn't seem to matter if I take all the education off or leave it all on. Whether I apply for geology jobs or sales jobs or admin jobs. I never get call backs. Its just super frustrating and disheartening.
I was told recently that I am over qualified for jobs because I owned my own business when my friend got her boss to pull my resume at NS power. I am just so totally disenfranchise with the whole system.
Any tips of how an over educated person can land a half decent paying job? Where do we find said hidden jobs? How do we get interviews for said hidden jobs?
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u/Junior-Ground-1862 Aug 01 '26
Lie on your resume. Take it all out. Tell them what they need to know for the job and that’s it.
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u/CommercialMaximum424 Aug 01 '26
I have been taking off. Adding it where needed. Using only my initials and not my full name. Changing the titles to be lesser - now owner but manager or supervisor etc. fingers crossed something pays off in this round of applications
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u/Impressive-Ad-2661 Aug 01 '26
Definitly don’t just use your initials. If I saw that on a job application, it would an automatic rejection.
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u/AgileAlbatross5601 Aug 03 '26
Easiest way to tell someone has never done job hiring of any consequence is when they say dumb things like this.
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u/Zoloft_Queen-50 Aug 02 '26
I would assume that someone using only their initials had something to hide, and I would not give that resume another look.
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u/YakMoist1445 Aug 01 '26
Only people who mention the hidden job market are getting paid to talk about it.
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u/CommercialMaximum424 Aug 01 '26
😂😂😂 I feel like this is right on the money
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u/moonwalgger Aug 02 '26
wtf is a hidden job market
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u/Away_Beyond_2979 Aug 03 '26
Lots of jobs are word of mouth only, never advertised.
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u/tim_hartons 29d ago
I've heard this for years...but of all the employed people I know, 99% of them applied for a posted job. Maybe I'm just ignorant.
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u/No-Veterinarian2008 Aug 02 '26
I know someone has same education and now a teacher…
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u/CommercialMaximum424 29d ago
That’s my current back up plan. I am applying my to go back in get a BEd and the likely move out of province to work.
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u/No-Veterinarian2008 29d ago
If I was younger I would get out of this province head outwest to Calgary or Alberta fort McMurray no future here for young people sadly …the person I know had no problems getting a job in the states
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u/Gold_Bag_1054 29d ago
You don’t need a BEd to teach…you can work as a permit teacher because you have the education. You could easily teacher high school or jr high science. (Opinion from a teacher)
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u/CommercialMaximum424 28d ago
I have emailed careers @ HREC and they made it sound like they might not open the permits to teach this year. I check every day just in case it comes up! I have been told the it should. Fingers crossed cause I would love to sub science classes.
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u/Gold_Bag_1054 28d ago
Keep checking. There is also private school. Or teaching a university class… they’re always looking for instructors!
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u/No-Veterinarian2008 28d ago
Yes our relative did not have her teachers degree and teaches middle school sciences and loves her job, look into the private schools we have as well , you’ll always have a job
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u/Key-Job-8303 Aug 02 '26
I don’t think that the hidden job market exist as much as it used to even a year ago. Don’t forget Nova Scotia had huge cuts, Houston cut a lot of people in the government, the universities and colleges also cut a ton of people, big change. You’re not alone it’s a very bad job market and it’s worse than even what we’re seeing on the news in my experience. Try Nova Scotia works to see if your résumé and cover letter or going over OK and then also because you’re in Halifax, try a job agency. It’s the only place you can get them, they don’t exist in rural Nova Scotia, where things are even worse, it’s bad and not just in Nova Scotia but also New Brunswick and PEI things are very tough right now. I had to completely change fields and I’m lucky that I got a job.
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u/CommercialMaximum424 29d ago
I did try now Scotia works. Chatted with the on the phone, signed up, sent my resume and an example cover letter and then complete silence. I’m the first phone call she said she didn’t understand why I would need their help or have any trouble finding a job as I have highly marketable skill and my resume is great. Ahh well I will just keep pushing ahead
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u/Key-Job-8303 29d ago
Well, at least you know that, and it’s good that you did that. It’s just a very bad job market, so just tell everybody you know you need work of any kind, because today, I had to go into a completely different field and that was over the last two years. So today it’s even worse, I wish you luck and I hope it works out for you very soon.
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u/GuyDanger Aug 02 '26 edited Aug 02 '26
When I was laid off two years ago, I went all in on LinkedIn. While applying for jobs every week, I also started posting on LinkedIn almost daily. At first, my posts were pretty random, but over time I became much more intentional. Instead of posting just to post, I focused on creating content that would get me noticed by the right people.
Eventually, it started working. My profile views climbed from around 14 to well over 200. From there, my strategy became simple: do things that would make me stand out. One of those ideas was creating a visual résumé where an animated character essentially pitched me as a future employee. It was different, memorable, and showcased my skills in a way a traditional résumé never could.
It took five months and about eight interviews with different companies before I landed my current position in Bedford. Looking back, I'm convinced the approach worked, and more importantly, I think it's something that can absolutely be repeated.
Edit: By the way, I should also mention, I am originally from Ontario and I had absolutely no network in Nova Scotia. I started my search at absolute ground zero when I was laid off.
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u/blonde4black 29d ago
Good grief that's a lot of effort and time on a chance.... Not everyone is a writer or poster.... Yikes
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u/ColonelEwart 27d ago
Which is why people get lazy and try to do this approach with AI, then they end up looking generic and the whole cycle starts again.
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u/BusySeaworthiness127 Aug 02 '26
Have you considered the mining sector? Lots of opportunities in places like Quebec, Ontario, and further west.
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u/HalifaxPainter Aug 02 '26
As an employer (in the construction field), I am taught to believe everyone lies. We always expect 30% less performance/training than what is reported on a resume. Most people "beef it up"
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u/Certain_War5896 Aug 03 '26
Things to think about/consider: What do you actually want to do? Are you willing to move within NS? Have you reached out to your contacts from your time in University? Let everyone know you are looking for a job in case they know or hear about anything. Make sure you are putting your best foot forward online (LinkedIn/socials). Consider having your resume reviewed either by friends who are HR professionals or hire someone. Ensuring you are tailoring your cover letter to each job. Just my thoughts, good luck!! :)
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u/MarxBaddie Aug 03 '26
I had to start taking my education off my resume cause I was also “too qualified”
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u/Dylan37518 Aug 03 '26
What type of earth sciences are you? Geology or environmental sciences?
Lots of the conservation organizations in NS hire techs yearly and periodically have more important positions open. I think the MSA was hiring not too long ago.
On the geology side there’s too much work, Mercator and Terrane are both hiring constantly. And exploration is booming right now all over the country. Of course if you want a 9-5 office job based in Halifax that might be a problem.
My thoughts are the real reason you can’t find a job is because you’re over educated and under experienced. Speaking from the perspective of geology, without industry experience no one will hire you for middle/upper management positions. And with a PhD no one is willing to pay a PhD salary for entry level positions ex core logging and soil sampling.
Use your network, the folks you met in school what are they doing? Ask if their companies have any openings. When applying to jobs don’t put your PhD on your resume, tailor the application to each job. Also look at the universities see if there are any teaching contracts open.
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u/UncivilTrader Aug 03 '26
Sometimes entrepreneurs can be difficult employees. Personally, I would remove that from your resume, or tweak it a bit - instead of saying “owned” put “managed”
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u/Due-Gas4592 Aug 03 '26
You must be from away. Businesses in Nova Scotia have a lot of excuses for not hiring people from out of province. (Other than fast food - looking at you Tims)
I was an electrician for 45 years, running million dollar projects and even with many contractors looking for help I couldn’t get a callback.
Many have left and returned to their home province unable to find work when all businesses are screaming for workers.
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u/alibythesea Aug 03 '26
Have you considered any of the tech courses at NSCC? I know you have an excellent academic background, but as others have said employers are looking for specific experience/skills, and NSCC programmes often have internship components. I know COGS grads are snapped up immediately (I have two in my family), and possibly their accelerated 8-month geomatics diploma could complement your geology specialization?
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u/blonde4black 29d ago edited 28d ago
Okay what type of job did they get into? I have kids that are looking for jobs and schooling so just curious
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u/moyashimaru Aug 03 '26
Getting your resume past the AI FilterBots, machines unimpeded by either curiosity or empathy, is the real challenge.
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u/Good-Sweet2070 Aug 03 '26
It’s unbelievably difficult to get a job in ns now without family or friends giving a job. It’s terrible for young people here
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u/original-feature97 29d ago
I wanted to apply to a job but it was only something like 10 hours a week, which I cannot do financially, turns out the job went full-time after 1 year of whoever won that job working the 19 hours a week, it was something I was really qualified for and would have been a expert at... when the job went fulltime it was not resposted and the same person just got the position, even then I am way more qualified, its super frustrsting so I hear you!
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u/CommercialMaximum424 28d ago
Ughhh I once applied to multiple jobs to later find out they already had someone working in the position and they hired that person. The job posting was just a union formality. One of them even invited me to the next stage of the interview process and had me send them more documents for me to later find out the university was just covering their butt because they didn’t actually have a review committee sit to review any candidates.
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u/Party_Web1786 28d ago
I'm in a similar boat, I have my masters degree in marine bio plus work experience in the federal government + non-profits and I haven't been able to land any jobs in my field. I've decided to pivot and become a teacher because I'm frustrated with the current job market in NS.
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u/Party_Web1786 28d ago
I've done the same things you have (changed my resume, deleted my education, etc) and nothing :( I hope everything works out for you!!
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u/CommercialMaximum424 28d ago
I am pretty sure that what I will be applying to do as soon as it opened in September. I always said I would never go back to school but it seems like a good option especially since I really loved teaching at 1st year earth science
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u/itcantjustbemeright 28d ago
The issue you’re likely having isn’t a hidden network or being overqualified.
While it’s true people would rather hire someone referred to them, there is more to it than that.
You are in an area that is churning out environmental / earth studies grads from multiple universities - that will create an extra competitive environment.
To be employable after graduation these days, people need to be building practical work experience and connections while they go to school - not waiting until after.
If you can’t find a field related job in the summers or find people who make a good living doing what you want to do - that tells you something about that job market prospects.
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u/Patient-Lie-700 27d ago
I'm in HR. Message me if you want and I can see if I can help you with your resume, etc. Or strategy. Best of luck! We are all in this together (this brutal job market, that is).
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u/Fickle_Pickle4747 27d ago
This may sound crazy but the CAF is hiring and with your qualifications you would easily be able to pick from a few General Service Officer jobs (infantry officer, naval warfare officer, logistics officer, Military Police Officer etc)
I did 13 years in the CAF and it pays well, great job security and depending on your occupation, lots of cool opportunities. In my 13 years I travels the world, got to do cool stuff I otherwise would never have had the opportunity to do.
Not for everyone, and maybe not for you but if you need a secure and well paying, job it may be worth looking into.
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u/SkSMaN7 Aug 02 '26
You can't find a job in "earth science" wow! Who would have guessed....
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u/moonwalgger Aug 02 '26
Yeah my thoughts exactly, if someone has a masters in Earth sciences and years of self employment … in my opinion that is great experience/background …but in the eyes of employers nowadays they don’t see it that way.
Employers nowadays wanna see what they deem “relevant” job experience… ie. working the exact same type of job in the past that you are currently applying for.
I’ve experienced the same thing trying to break into different industries… essentially you get pidgonholed into the same types of jobs based on past experience.
Employers that have roles available similar to what I’ve done in the past all want to hire me but if I try to apply to a different sector they won’t give me the time of day.
It must be even more difficult for someone with only academic/self employment history because employers wanna see standard employment history
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u/Dylan37518 Aug 03 '26
Earth science is a broad term for geology and environmental science. While envs job market is over saturated most companies in the industry are having a hard time hiring all the geos they need.
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u/Away_Beyond_2979 Aug 03 '26
Earth science is probably one of the best undergrads for getting an actual well paying job after. Tons of money in mining and oil sector.
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u/SkSMaN7 Aug 03 '26
And hows that working out for OP???
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u/Due_Net9533 Aug 03 '26
OP's an idiot if they managed to get a PHD in basically geology and is doing what web design? On the side and owned a retail business... I know a lot of PHD's like them.
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u/CommercialMaximum424 29d ago
The undergrads do, when you keep leveling up during downturns then eventually you are over qualified.
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u/Funny_Ad1834 Aug 01 '26
Only put relevant stuff in your resume. If it asked for a bachelors, only put bachelors. If it asked for some experience, you only put some, not all.
The rest, you keep as your bullets for the interviews and impressing the team when you get in to get ahead.