Entry-Level vs. Survival Jobs: Which Is Right for You?

Do you hold out for an entry-level job in your field? Or do you take whatever work pays the bills right now?

If you’re feeling stuck, you’re not imagining it. Heading into 2026, the job market has been tougher for new entrants than it was a couple of years ago. Statistics Canada has shown higher unemployment for young degree-holders than pre-pandemic levels, and overall labour demand has cooled compared to 2024.

In this article, I’m here to help you think it through without shame, and without pretending there is one perfect answer.

Entry-level vs. “survival” jobs, explained

An entry-level job is typically a first step into a profession. It is designed for someone with little or no paid experience in that specific field. It might ask for a degree, a certificate, a portfolio, or some internships. But the whole point is that it is a starting role.

The problem is that in a tighter market, “entry-level” roles can start to disappear, or quietly mutate into “junior roles that still want 2 to 3 years of experience.” If you’ve been applying and getting nowhere, it might just be the jobs market.

You can see this trend clearly in some industries. For example, Indeed Hiring Lab found that in the U.S. standard or junior tech job titles were down 34% in February 2025 compared to five years earlier, while senior tech roles were down 19%. That is a big gap, and it hits new entrants hardest.

A “survival job” is what people call work that is usually below your skill level, often shift-based, and often pays at or near minimum wage. Think warehouse shifts, fast food, retail, dishwashing, delivery, some hospitality roles, and some entry-level labour jobs.

Now, let me say something plainly: I hate the term “survival job.”

It makes it sound like a job that should be avoided, a job without dignity. I’m from a farming town on the east coast of Canada; a working class town. Before I got into tech, I worked as a grocery store cashier, a fast-food cook, a factory line worker, and a busboy. Every one of those jobs was exhausting. I’ve had shifts that were harder than anything I do at a desk now (if you’ve done a 12-hour overnight on a factory assembly line or dealt with a crowd of drunk frat boys in the pub at 2am you can probably relate). Anyone doing that work deserves respect, period.

Don’t get me wrong here. It’s totally fine to aim for better pay, better benefits, and work that fits your long-term goals. But do not let the language trick you into thinking one path makes you “better” than the other.

So which is right for you?

Here’s the real deciding factor. Do you need income now?

If you need money, you might not have the luxury of waiting for the perfect entry-level role. Rent doesn’t care about your career plan. Groceries don’t pause while you wait for a job offer.

But – there are a few important nuances and considerations.

Working while you job hunt

A lot of newcomers and grads end up doing both. You take a few shifts a week in a job that’s easier to get while you keep applying to entry-level roles in your field. This can help more than people realize.

It gives you income, yes. But it also gives you structure, a reason to get out of the house, and often a small social network, especially if you’re new to the country. It can also give you Canadian work experience, which matters more than it should in some hiring processes.

And if English or French is not your first language, a job with regular conversations can be good language practice, too.

Working for life experience, not career progress

Sometimes you are not trying to “launch” anything yet.

Maybe you’re studying or waiting on licensing. Maybe you just arrived and you’re still adjusting to the country, the weather, and the reality that everything from healthcare to banking works differently than back home.

In those cases, taking a job that’s easy to enter might be a smart choice. Buy yourself some time and stability while you get your footing.

A quick note on work authorization

This part matters, and not everyone has the same options.

Your status in Canada can shape what you are allowed to do, how many hours you can work, and what kinds of jobs you can accept. If you’re on a study permit, for example, your work hours can be limited. If you’re aiming to apply through Express Entry, you actually need work experience at a certain skill level to meet the program requirements.

So before you build a plan, make sure you understand your work conditions and immigration restrictions.

Will a “survival job” hurt your career?

Usually, no. At least not automatically. What can hurt is letting a survival job swallow all your time and energy so you stop applying, stop networking, and stop building a bridge back to your field.

If you take a survival job, try to keep one foot pointed toward your longer-term goal. Even if it is small. One application per week or a coffee every month with someone in your desired industry.

When it comes to your resume, many newcomers wonder how to list a “survival job” or if they should leave it off entirely. If the job shows transferable skills that matter to your target role, include it and frame it well. Reliability, teamwork, customer service, problem-solving, time management, and working under pressure are real skills in Canadian workplaces.

If it is not relevant and you have stronger experience to show, you can leave it off or compress it. Your resume is more a marketing document than a perfect biography.

For details on how to apply to jobs in Canada, check out our guides on writing the perfect resume and networking your way to success.

So, in the end, entry-level job or survival job? There is no “right” answer. The best choice is the choice that fits your finances, goals, and timeline. Entry-level jobs are not morally superior. Survival jobs are not shameful. There’s dignity in all work.

Pick the path that keeps you stable, but always keep your goals in sight. An old roommate of mine use to say, “Life is short… but, it’s also long.” You’ve got a whole career ahead of you – this is just one chapter.

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