Your Canadian list of 2025’s best employers

PATH TO CAREER SUCCESS
Your Canadian list of 2025’s best employers

There’s a saying that a manager can influence our happiness more than a therapist – so choosing where we work matters.

Forbes, in partnership with Statista, recently unveiled their list of Canada’s 300 Best Employers for 2025. The rankings were based on the following criteria:

• An anonymous survey of 40,000 Canada-based employees

• Employers with at least 500 staff

• Employee ratings on:

  • Salary and work flexibility

  • Training and advancement opportunities

  • Whether they would recommend their employer

Some companies climbed the ranks this year, while others fell down the list. Here are the top 5 employers for 2025:

1. Google - Tech giant and search engine leader

2. Microsoft - Global software and cloud services provider

3. Concordia University - Renowned Montreal-based university

4. Hydro-Quebec - Leading Canadian electricity provider

5. The Hershey Company - Iconic chocolate and confectionery maker

To mark the 10th anniversary of the list, Forbes also introduced an honour roll of companies that have made the list every year. This prestigious group includes:

1. Accenture – Global consulting and professional services firm

2. Apple – Innovator in technology and consumer electronics

3. Bank of Canada - Canada’s central bank

4. BC Hydro - Major electricity utility in British Columbia

5. Cisco Systems - Leader in networking and IT solutions

CAREER COACH Q & A
Navigating New Horizons with Expert Guidance from a Seasoned Career Coach

Q: What are some things I should avoid saying during an interview?

A: Gaurav Valani, career expert and founder of CareerSprout, shares three things to avoid.

Avoid sounding desperate. Instead of saying things like, "I love this job!" try to focus on how you can contribute: "The initiatives your team is working on align with projects I’ve enjoyed solving in the past."

Don't use vague generalities like “I’m a fast learner.” Be specific! For example, "I’ve navigated complex environments and figured things out on the spot, such as when I..." and back it up with a solid example.

Avoid speaking negatively about past employers. Instead of criticizing, frame your experience positively: "I’m excited to bring my strengths and experience from my previous role to contribute to the bigger picture here."

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LEARN THE LINGO
Phrases that could trigger a defensive response at work

Our words matter—a single phrase can open the door to reconciliation or shut it for good.

Mica Vaipan, a performance coach and LinkedIn creator, shared phrases that often put people on the defensive. Here are some highlights from her list, why they cause tension, and what to say instead:

“Calm down”
Why it backfires: This dismisses emotions, making the other person feel invalidated or belittled.
✅ What to say instead: “I can see you’re upset. Let’s figure this out together.”

“You always” or “You never”
Why it backfires: These absolutes feel like an attack and overlook the bigger picture.
✅What to say instead: “I’ve noticed this has happened a few times. Can we talk about it?”

“You’re overthinking this”
Why it backfires: It minimizes the other person’s concerns and can come across as dismissive.
✅What to say instead: “I can see this is on your mind. What’s your biggest worry about it?”