how tariffs could affect your job—and what you can do about it.

In 2025, new U.S. tariffs on imports and exports are shaking up the Canadian and American job markets, prompting hiring slowdowns, restructuring, and increased automation.

Tariffs may seem like something that only impacts governments and corporations, but in reality, they can hit close to home – especially for workers in manufacturing, logistics, and other industries that rely heavily on trade. But that doesn’t mean you're powerless.

how tariffs affect the employment rate.

The full impact of 2025 tariffs has yet to be seen, but they’ve already had an effect on hiring decisions. Tariffs for imported goods in the U.S. – and retaliatory tariffs in Canada and other countries – will increase the cost of many raw materials and finished goods. Many businesses may raise consumer costs to compensate, but higher costs often reduce demand.

This puts pressure on businesses to keep operating costs low, making them reluctant to invest in hiring. In North America, workers are already seeing the impact. Reports suggest that tariffs have caused 1 in 4 U.S. businesses to scale back hiring plans, and Canada lost 33,000 jobs in March.

Sectors like manufacturing and logistics stand to see the most volatility; so far, the automotive sector has been hit the hardest. U.S. automotive manufacturer Stellantis halted production at five plants, resulting in temporary layoffs for hundreds of autoworkers. Many other industries have seen hiring delays and reduced hours as manufacturers adjust.

However, there’s a silver lining for workers: new production strategies, including reshoring and automation, may bring back demand. Workers who can build the skills to adapt will be able to grow their careers in ways they never thought possible.

how to thrive in job markets impacted by 2025 tariffs.

While tariffs will make the job market less predictable, they won’t have the same impact on every sector or every role. Understanding how different markets may change can help you develop the right skills, make strategic career moves, and find new opportunities.

develop new skills that complement your experience

Some skills will remain valuable regardless of economic conditions – even in industries where tariffs have a significant impact. For example, the World Economic Forum reports that 90% of supply chain leaders are investing in digital tools to manage supply chains, but 4 in 5 say there’s a shortage of skilled workers.

Learning new skills with real business benefits can help you stay competitive. To learn digital skills, online courses from platforms like Udemy and Coursera can help you stay competitive. Local certification providers may be a good alternative if you’re looking for a forklift certificate or driver’s licence upgrade.

explore lateral career moves

Chances are, you already have transferable skills that would be valuable in a related role, especially in adjacent sectors. For example, a warehouse worker will likely have an understanding of products and processes that makes them a good fit for dispatch or customer service roles.

These lateral career moves can help you move toward sectors with the best potential for growth. Reaching out to a recruiter can help you identify how closely your current skills map onto related roles – and even help you identify new opportunities you may not be aware of.

shield your profile from tariffs: be open to temporary and contract work

During periods of uncertainty, companies often shift toward temporary and contract hires before committing to permanent hires. Taking on temporary, contract, and project work can help you grow your skills, expand your network, and understand what work environments suit you best.

Contingent workers make up a significant part of the North American workforce, and the trend is only set to grow as the market stays volatile. Staying open to these roles can be a key way to get your foot in the door and even grow into a permanent role with the right company.

how to position yourself as a strong candidate

Building a strong candidate profile is about both the skills you bring to the table today, and your ability to develop in-demand skills in the future.

showcase your adaptability

Companies facing tariff-related challenges will need employees who can adapt to new environments and help solve emerging problems. When you prepare for interviews, think about possible answers to behavioral questions that highlight your adaptability and process improvement skills. These can be situations like:

• Times when you’ve successfully navigated change or uncertainty
• Situations where you’ve pivoted to new strategies
• Environments that required you to learn new skills quickly
• Ways you improved efficiency, reduced waste, or streamlined operations

You can also highlight these achievements on your resume and social media profiles to help secure interviews – then explain them in more detail in interviews.

keep a finger on the pulse of labor market trends

Follow labor market trends to track what skills are likely to be in demand in the coming years. This can help you spot new opportunities that align with your strengths.

For example, as tariffs make overseas production more expensive, some companies will bring production back to North America in the coming years. When they do, they’ll likely require skills in automation and robotics to keep smart production lines moving, but demand for robotics skills will vary depending on manufacturers in your area.

More complex trade rules also demand logistics workers with compliance and supply chain management expertise. That’s especially true for products that require specialized components from other countries.

taking action in uncertain times

While tariffs and trade tensions create challenges, they can also open doors for workers who are prepared to adapt. As 2025 tariffs continue to disrupt hiring, the most successful candidates will be the ones who understand how these economic shifts affect their industry – and can position themselves for success.

It’s also important to keep in mind that economic conditions are cyclical. What seems like a setback today may lead to new opportunities tomorrow, especially if you’re on the lookout for them. Ready to find a job that matches your skill set? Submit your resume today to map out your next career move.