Author: Azhar Janjua, Head of Communitech Outposts, Kitchener, Ontario
The world is changing fast and the technology sector remains dynamic. New challenges and opportunities pop up all the time and companies are constantly adapting.
Leveraging the Work in Tech job board*, Communitech Outposts has been keeping a close eye on remote hiring trends of Canadian companies, especially for companies looking to tap into the U.S. market.
We noticed some interesting shifts in 2023 and into the early part of 2024, highlighting a strategic move in remote work dynamics and preferences for hiring based on location and skill.
A glimpse into 2023 and 2024
The year 2023 threw Canadian tech companies a curveball—revealing a decline in remote job postings for roles based in the United States. – 34% percentage decrease from January to December, signaling post-pandemic market realignments and adjustments. However, the early signs from 2024, particularly with a slight uptick in February, suggest it might be too soon to declare a complete turnaround.
In discussions with Canadian businesses, some things are clear—there's an intent to embrace remote workers and increase exports, emphasizing the importance of quick market entry.
The U.S. market as a key target
The demand for tech roles in the U.S. in 2023 highlighted the interest in digital transformation, cybersecurity and cloud services. Big tech hubs like New York and San Francisco continued to attract a large portion of job postings. But here’s a twist: Austin and Boston are becoming increasingly significant, with 33 per cent of job openings being remote or in other U.S. states, indicating a deliberate spread of job postings across various cities.
This shift tells us something big: Canadian companies are accessing a broad talent pool, enriching their strategies for talent acquisition with diverse skill sets and cultural fits.
Addressing the demand for specific skills
Canadian tech companies are on the hunt for talent across the border in the U.S., and it's not just about any skills. We dug into the job postings and found a clear focus on filling some key gaps to fuel their growth and innovation.
Sales and business development, software engineering and IT are at the top of the wishlist, highlighting the need for skilled folks who build the products, find new markets and keep everything running smoothly.
There’s also a big push for roles focused on improving customer relationships and user experience, such as customer service and design, marketing and communications, product management and operations. This varied demand shows that Canadian companies are serious about building well-rounded teams that can compete globally.
Distributed talent pool
Canadian tech companies are turning heads. Known for their innovation and growth potential, they’re attracting skilled talent from across the globe.
American based applicants from California, New York, Texas and Massachusetts showed a strong interest to work for Canadian companies. And looking internationally, about 40 per cent of engaged applicants came from tech hotspots like India, the United Kingdom and Brazil, showing that Canadian tech is a great, trusted place to work and build a career.
Looking ahead
The way we work is evolving and Canadian tech is at the forefront. This remote hiring trend isn’t just about adapting to the times, it’s about building a whole new way to work—one where location doesn’t matter so that the best talent can come together to create amazing things and win big.
Ready to take your Canadian company global at your own pace, without the headaches of setting up a foreign entity to hire and pay talent? Explore a world of opportunities and let Communitech Outposts’s Employer of Record be your tool for seamless international expansion and swift market entry. Head over to communitech.ca/outposts and take the first step towards a future without borders.
Your global team awaits.
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*Work In Tech is a free job board dedicated to Canada’s growing tech community, built by founders, for founders, it’s a niche job board that puts homegrown tech companies on the global hiring stage.
Azhar Janjua, Head of Communitech Outposts, presenting at MAPLE Ontario Chapter Spring Reception in Toronto, March 2024.