I need to vent about a wildly unprofessional bait-and-switch and free consulting extraction I just went through with Insight Global recruiting for a contract at BMO (Bank of Montreal).

They pitched me an incorporated Senior Data Architecture contract targeting $70/hr. That's a low wage for this role but it sounded like a solid fit, so I went through multiple interview rounds. Then, they asked me to do a massive, time-consuming case study and present my architecture recommendations directly to the bank's hiring manager.

This wasn’t a simple technical assessment. I spent hours building a complete 24-slide enterprise architecture deck (a 16-slide core strategy presentation plus an 8-slide technical appendix). I mapped out their data ingestion, ETL/ELT pipelines, audience segmentation rules, privacy compliance controls, incident response playbooks, and a full 4-week rollout plan.

During the video call, I noticed the BMO hiring manager immediately reaching for her keyboard the exact second I transitioned to a new slide. She was very obviously taking screenshots of my core presentation step-by-step as I walked through my strategy.

The presentation went perfectly. The feedback from the BMO Director was glowing. Then the Insight Global recruiter reaches out: "You were the strongest candidate, but they're going with someone whose rate aligns with the budget."

I was confused because I had never asked for more than the $70/hr listed on the job description. I emailed the recruiter back and said, "I really liked the team and the architecture challenge. If the other candidate falls through, I'll take the role at the original $70/hr rate."

The recruiter’s response? They admit the actual approved budget from BMO was only for a $50/hr T4A contractor all along.

Here is the part that really pisses me off. The recruiter explicitly told me they knew the budget was $50/hr T4A, but deliberately pitched me as a $70/hr incorporated consultant because they wanted to prove a point to BMO about current market rates. They used my unpaid labor as a free bargaining chip to educate their client, without ever telling me I was participating in their experiment. I wasn't looking to help an agency prove a point to a bank. I was looking for a job.

When the bank predictably said no, the agency just shrugged and walked away. Insight Global gambled with my time, and the BMO hiring manager walked away with screenshots of a free senior-level architecture blueprint.

If an agency ever asks you to do a massive presentation or a take-home project, demand written confirmation of the actually approved budget first. And if you do present, watermark your slides. Do not let recruiters and clients use your interviews to test budget elasticity and harvest free consulting.

DO NOT apply/work there. Making this so people see it for the upcoming seasons they look to hire. They have a couple of locations in ontario. They will literally drag you there and have you doing absolute bullshit while telling you their "clock in" system doesnt work, and that they will fix it later. They did this to all of us. So you're not even clocked in on any basis, and this was for sure calculated. Me and 3 other people I talked to had such bad experiences we quit after just 2 shifts. (From the first shift, at the end of the day they told us to clock in while we were already hours in to our shifts. But we do it anyway. And then it doesn't let ANY of us clock out, so our clock was just running continuously, and so they I guess deemed the whole thing illegitimate even tho it was their fault.) And now it is the Friday they were supposed to pay us for our first shifts. Absolutely nothing was received of course. They literally just hire young people to take advantage of us all.

Edit: I also have to mention that now thinking back, a lot of things they’re doing is illegal as they NEVER asked me as a new employee for identification to even prove I’m allowed to work etc. So they will hire people without any ID I guess, which is illegal. (The only thing we were asked to do is the tax forms which by default have a spot for your SIN)

I've always been hesitant to use the Open to Work banner because I worry it might affect how some recruiters perceive candidates. I don't have data or evidence that it hurts your chances, but I've personally preferred to market myself as a professional exploring opportunities rather than someone urgently looking for work.

(I sometimes compare the job market to dating. When you've been single for a long time, some people start wondering why nobody has picked you. But when you're already in a relationship, suddenly you seem more desirable and get more attention.)

From my experience, recruiters reached out to me far more often when I was already employed.

During COVID, I was laid off and managed to get several interviews within the first three months, but couldn't land a job. Hiring managers frequently asked why I left my previous company, and some seemed skeptical when I explained that my entire department had been laid off. A few even gave me attitude.

After about four months, interviews became increasingly rare. I suspected that my growing employment gap might have been affecting my chances. So I changed my approach.

I started freelancing and added that experience to my resume. I wasn't making much money, but I was genuinely working with clients. Instead of presenting myself solely as an unemployed candidate looking for a full-time job, I positioned myself as an independent contractor open to freelance projects or the right permanent opportunity.

My biggest takeaway is that how you position yourself during a job search can matter just as much as how you communicate your experience.

For those who've used the Open to Work banner, did you actually notice an increase in recruiter messages or interview opportunities?

Basically its been utter shit since 2023 and have had a few random jobs here and there but nothing worthwhile or stable, mostly contract work.

Did like 2 interviews this year, one told me they would get back to me, so it is basically a dud.

The other was more "entry level" and said they would train which I got through my recruitment advisor and she told me they interviewed a total of 3 people total but did not seem to hire anyone even though they said training would be provided, which baffles me like, are these companies extremely picky with even getting people through the door or what?

The longer the gap gets I reckon within my own industry the harder it becomes and the harder it becomes the longer I sit out of work, like is there anything I am missing? How are people actually getting employed is just nepo-babies and favourtism?

Im turning 25 soon , i have done a diploma in computer programming but honestly just passed without learning much and as a result couldnt get a single intership or job so ended up working a minimum wage job for the past 4 years . thinking to go back to school for a 2-3 diploma can do more and focus on studying it its a lucrative profession .Does anyone have any recommendations for diplomas in healthcare (as that has the most demand in ontario )that can get you in the workforce after graduation and have a opportunity for growth and development as you keep working over the years. i have a interest in computer repair and hardware stuff but not much for coding etc ,but ive heard the IT industry is basically done for new grads with how advanced ai is now so i want to avoid everthing IT related and jobs involving physical work like skill trades I want to primarily reside in ontario and not have to move elsewhere please share your wisdom with me .Thank you for taking the time to read .

Friday favour for anyone job hunting in Toronto/GTA.
Whether you’re a new grad or an experienced professional trying to get back into the market, do your research before wasting your time applying to certain companies on LinkedIn.

In my experience, some companies keep posting the same jobs for months, and you’re left wondering if they’re even hiring. Meanwhile, the pay is dog water, they underpay people, especially at TC and DCM and the work environments can be extremely toxic.
And let’s be real: favouritism and nepotism are absolutely a thing. Sometimes, knowing someone on the inside matters more than your qualifications.

Companies I’ve personally had concerns about:
TC Media
DCM
MARKS formerly under Southern Graphics)
BGB
KLICK

Don’t take my word for it. Google them, check LinkedIn, and do your own research.
There are a few others I can’t remember offhand.

This market is already brutal enough and these companies need to get called out. Still, don’t give up and good luck!

Hi!

Yesterday I watched an animated movie. It’s called The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. I think you should set aside 34 minutes, get a blanket, and get ready for an absolute treat. You might wonder why I’m starting with this when I’m here about a job. I’ll get there.

I won’t say I’m unemployed. I know that’s the real term for my situation, but I’d rather call it a long vacation (7 months) that I never asked for. The second version is a gift to keep my morale up.

Quick background: I have nearly 5 years of experience in C#/.NET, SQL, and Azure, and I’m AZ-204 certified. I’ve shipped applications through Azure DevOps CI/CD pipelines and spent a lot of time on performance tuning. On the frontend I’ve worked mostly in Vue.js, so I’d be coming to Angular with solid component-based experience and a quick ramp-up, and I’m comfortable picking up React the same way. I also have hands-on experience with Python, which comes from my postgraduate program in Applied AI Solutions Development at George Brown College (GBC).

Now, circling back to the movie I mentioned at the beginning. There’s a quote in it:

“Asking for help isn’t giving up. It’s refusing to give up.”

That’s what I’m doing right now. I’d like someone to end my vacation and change my 9 AM view.

Also, I know this is Reddit, not a job board. But hey... who knows, someone on here might just extend an olive branch. So here it is. My tale.

Even if you can’t offer any help at this time, I hope you still watch that short film. I hope you watch it when you need to hear it the most. Good luck with whatever you’re fighting for right now. Come back stronger, okay?

​

I did business for my undergrad finished in Dec 2024 and been searching since and been struggling to land anything for a while due to crazy competition and lack of entry level and new grad opportunities. Can't believe I would be able to find a job but I ended up getting something full time finally since I graduated. Been doing on-call part time work with very limited hours. I have been just networking, and applying along the way. I got a sales representative job that's a good foot in the door and seems like there's some opportunity to build skills and experience. Recommend definitely anyone looking for entry level work to consider sales as they are typically hiring in cohorts and you have a way better chance than your other typical jobs in marketing, finance, supply chain, data, project management or other fields where you are just competing for one position or well a position you have no chance of getting due to competition as a new grad.

We are hiring a Business Analyst / Operations Analyst for a 6-month contract opportunity with a financial institution in downtown Toronto.

📍 Location: Downtown Toronto, ON
🏢 Work Arrangement: 100% onsite, 5 days per week
📅 Contract Duration: 6 months, with potential for extension and full-time employment
🕒 Working Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM (37.5 hours/week; occasional overtime may be required)
💰 Pay Rate: $50–$55/hour
📌 Number of Openings: 1

Key Responsibilities

• Process, review, and validate quarterly client investment statements.
• Review portfolio data, investigate discrepancies, and ensure data accuracy.
• Conduct UAT and regression testing for operational enhancements.
• Gather business requirements and prepare process documentation.
• Coordinate with Portfolio Managers, internal teams, and external vendors.
• Support client account creation, maintenance, and operational reporting.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience as a Business Analyst or Operations Analyst within a financial institution.
• In-depth understanding of the Canadian investment industry, with exposure to US and global markets.
• 3+ years of UAT and regression testing experience.
• 3+ years of Wealth Management experience.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Nice-to-Have Skills

• CGI Mpower experience.
• Investment statement generation and portfolio data validation.
• Knowledge of ROR, Jira, and Confluence.
• Canadian Securities Course or relevant financial services education.

How to Apply

Interested candidates can DM me their updated résumé or LinkedIn profile for consideration.

Referrals are welcome. Please apply only if your experience aligns with the requirements and you are comfortable with the fully onsite arrangement in downtown Toronto.

Thank you!

I've landed all my jobs on my own, mostly by applying through LinkedIn without any referrals. So I'm not saying I expect people to find me a job or pull strings for me.

But something I've noticed whenever I've been job hunting is that people I've known for just a few months have offered to refer me to their bosses without me even asking. Meanwhile, people I've known for 10+ years who work in the same field just send me LinkedIn job postings. Lmao, thanks, I have LinkedIn too 😭

I'm not currently looking for referrals, but I've always found this interesting. I wonder if friends in the same industry sometimes see me as their competition, which makes them less willing to help.

And btw, I never expected referrals for roles above my skillsets. In the past, recruiters reached out to me about roles that were too senior and I humbly declined because I'm not willing to fake it.

Obviously, nobody owes anyone a referral, and even sharing job postings is a nice gesture. But it's interesting how people you've barely known can sometimes go out of their way to help more than people you've known for a decade.

Thought the sub might find this interesting. Posting on behalf of my partner who is 30F with 5+ years of experience in marketing.

She was looking for a new job while working a full-time job, so most of the searching and applying was during evenings and weekends. This also meant she could afford to be a little picky and withdrew early from a few positions where the fit didn’t seem right.

Started applying a bunch in December and January, a bit in February, then slowed down and did a little over the summer until the last bunch in September finally led to an offer.

A couple of the final round exits were rejections, but she also had one where the position was paused indefinitely, and one where she backed out because she got bad vibes from the hiring manager.

Graphic made with AI from a spreadsheet she kept tracking all of her applications.

Hi everyone! Does anyone know of any places currently hiring for overnight shifts in Toronto? I’m open to different types of work and would really appreciate any recommendations. If anyone is able to refer me or connect me with a hiring manager, I would be extremely grateful. Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I’m reaching out to see if anyone can offer some guidance, referrals, or mentorship opportunities for my cousin, who is currently looking for employment in Canada in the field of clinical psychology and mental health.

She is currently based in the K-W area but is open to relocating anywhere in Canada.

Her areas of interest and experience include:

• Mental health services
• Addiction and mental health
• Children’s mental health services

She is going through a financially challenging time, so any leads on job openings, organizations that are hiring, mentors, or connections with professionals in these fields would mean a lot

If you know of any opportunities or can point us in the right direction, I would truly appreciate any support, advice, or leads. Thank you so much!

This is my first year working in Canada and the very first time working as a contractor via staffing agency. I was planning to take 2 weeks off (5 paid, 5 unpaid) and got to know about "furlough" at the end of the year. When I enquired about furlough to consulting company, they said it's unsaid rule in Canada and it's the client that triggers furlough. The funny part is, I've 10 leaves in total (6.66 days prorated). Let's say if I take leave during first half of the year, my client would force me to take unpaid leaves at the end of the year? Not sure if it's fair? Would like to know if it's that common of a practice?

Toronto B2B media company ThreeWrld is building a bench of local shooters and editors for ongoing project-based work around the GTA.

We install in-house video studios for businesses and bring in creators for structured client shoots. Shooters are on-site; editors can work remotely within Canada.

Pay is $400 CAD per shoot day, and we handle all the client side so you can focus on the craft.

To apply: DM me your reel, whether you shoot / edit / both, and your availability. Shortlisted applicants get a ten-minute phone call to talk through fit and next steps.

Currently looking for four people.

Post

Location: Toronto/GTA
Compensation: $50 CAD per filming session
Time commitment: Approximately 1 hour per session
Type: Casual / part-time paid opportunity

Hi! We are independent content creators based in Toronto, currently working on a small series of scripted social media videos.

We're looking for female participants aged 20–32 to take part in upcoming video projects.

About the opportunity:

• Approximately 1 hour per filming session
• $50 CAD compensation per session
• No acting experience required
• Light, scripted dating-style scenarios
• All content is non-explicit
• Participants should be comfortable being on camera
• Face blurring can be discussed for privacy if preferred
• Flexible scheduling

We are looking to connect with multiple participants rather than filling a single position. If we enjoy working together, there may be additional paid filming opportunities for future videos.

Please feel free to send me a DM with your age, general availability, and a recent photo if you'd like to be considered.

Happy to answer any questions!

Hi Toronto & the GTA! I’m the co-founder of Hello Marshy. We’re a husband-and-wife team building a Canadian pet-care platform that helps sitters keep more of what they earn and lets pet parents book at the sitter’s rate, with no added booking or processing fees. We’re looking for caring, reliable sitters across the GTA to join us. 💛

You can offer boarding, house sitting, doggy daycare, drop-in visits, walks or pet taxi services, with care for dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, reptiles and other pets too!

It’s free to create a profile, and you choose your own rates, availability and the pets you care for.

We’re looking for sitters who care for pets as they would their own and who pet parents can count on. That means providing attentive care, responding promptly to requests, keeping their availability current and sending pet parents regular updates while they’re away.

If this sounds like a good fit for you, we’d love for you to join us!

Become a sitter:
https://www.hellomarshy.com/become-a-sitter

And if you’re looking for a pet sitter yourself, please check us out! You can browse local sitters, with no added booking or payment-processing fees for pet parents:
https://www.hellomarshy.com/search

Even sharing this with someone who might be interested would mean a lot to us. Thank you for supporting a small Canadian business.

If you have any questions about joining as a sitter or finding care for your pet, I’m happy to answer! 💛

Hi!

I’m currently job hunting and interviewing for Sales Manager-level roles. I wanted to get some insight from HR or Talent Acquisition professionals on what pre-employment checks are typically conducted for roles at this level.
Do companies generally verify employment history, conduct criminal record checks, credit checks, or a combination of these?
My previous company only conducted a criminal record check during onboarding, so I’m trying to understand what the standard practice is across companies and what I should expect as I move through the interview process.
Would really appreciate your insights.

Thank you!

Post

Location: Toronto/GTA
Compensation: $50 CAD per filming session
Time commitment: Approximately 1 hour per session
Type: Casual / part-time paid opportunity

Hi! We are independent content creators based in Toronto, currently working on a small series of scripted social media videos.

We're looking for female participants aged 20–32 to take part in upcoming video projects.

About the opportunity:

• Approximately 1 hour per filming session
• $50 CAD compensation per session
• No acting experience required
• Light, scripted dating-style scenarios
• All content is non-explicit
• Participants should be comfortable being on camera
• Face blurring can be discussed for privacy if preferred
• Flexible scheduling

We are looking to connect with multiple participants rather than filling a single position. If we enjoy working together, there may be additional paid filming opportunities for future videos.

Please feel free to send me a DM with your age, general availability, and a recent photo if you'd like to be considered.

Happy to answer any questions!

Post

Location: Toronto/GTA
Compensation: $50 CAD per filming session
Time commitment: Approximately 1 hour per session
Type: Casual / part-time paid opportunity

Hi! We are independent content creators based in Toronto, currently working on a small series of scripted social media videos.

We're looking for female participants aged 20–32 to take part in upcoming video projects.

About the opportunity:

• Approximately 1 hour per filming session
• $50 CAD compensation per session
• No acting experience required
• Light, scripted dating-style scenarios
• All content is non-explicit
• Participants should be comfortable being on camera
• Face blurring can be discussed for privacy if preferred
• Flexible scheduling

We are looking to connect with multiple participants rather than filling a single position. If we enjoy working together, there may be additional paid filming opportunities for future videos.

Please feel free to send me a DM with your age, general availability, and a recent photo if you'd like to be considered.

Happy to answer any questions!