A look at 36 jobs that didn’t exist in 1989

When we first opened our doors back on March 1, 1989 (okay, technically, we didn’t have doors because our co-founders launched Altis from their kitchen table), our work was very different.  

It was paper everything. Job ads in printed newspapers. Filing cabinets full of resumes. Rotary phones. NO INTERNET. And everything happened in the office (in our case, the kitchen table).  

In fact, the world of work was different 36 years ago. Job titles and jobs were different. And so were the skills required to do them.  

In 1989, we looked for legal secretaries who could type at least 90 words per minute on a typewriter and knew shorthand. We placed accountants who could use that new program, Microsoft Excel, on those big, clunky desktop computers (no laptops back then) and accounting clerks who were skilled at data entry and filing.  

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Snapshot: 36 jobs of today

Fast-forward to 2025, and we’re now staffing roles of all seniority levels right across Canada—permanent and contract positions spanning industries and sectors. Hybrid, remote and onsite, we have it all.  

From Azure and AWS to Jetpack and Java, we’ve learned to speak a new language, too, particularly when staffing technical roles. And we’ve become accustomed to looking for critical digital skills, especially as AI evolves and changes roles across the board.  

Below, we’ve gathered a list of 36 roles that didn’t exist when we first launched, many of them open right now. Apply directly at the link provided or search other open roles on our Job Portal.  

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IT roles

HIRING NOW

1. AWS Solution Architect

2. Android Developer

3. AI Developer

4. AI Training Associate

5. Backend Developer

6. Business Transformation Architect

7. NET Developer

8. Web Usability Consultant

9. Salesforce Architect

10. Generative AI & Data Analytics Consultant

11. SharePoint Advisor

And more:

12. AI Ethics Consultant

13. UX/UI Designer

14. Mobile App Developer

15. Blockchain Developer

16. Wearable Technology Specialist

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Marketing roles

HIRING NOW

17. Social Media Strategist

18. Social Media Support Agent

19. Vice President of Digital Strategy

And more:

20. SEO Specialist

21. Affiliate Marketing Manager

22. Influencer Marketing Manager

23. Content Creator

24. Virtual Event Planner

25. Meme Marketing Specialist

26. Podcast Producer

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HR roles

HIRING NOW

27. Change Manager

28. Total Rewards & Compensation Specialist

29. HRIS Specialist

And more:

30. HR Automation Specialist

31. Remote Work Manager

32. Employee Experience Manager

33. Chief Happiness Officer

34. ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Compliance Officer

35. Talent Acquisition Specialist

36. Health and Safety Coordinator

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Bonus: Other, futuristic roles

And just think, if the following roles already exist today, imagine what the next 5, 10, 15 or even… 36 years will bring?  

• Drone Operator

• E-Sports Coach

• Virtual Reality Therapist

• NFT Consultant

• Robotics Engineer

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What has remained the same since 1989?

Our work has always been about connecting talented people with their next great job. And it always will be.

Sure, in 1989 maybe it took us longer to search through thousands of printed resumes to find that one great match (especially if one was misfiled, grrr!), but we did it. In fact, we found the right match thousands of times over as we grew year by year, placement by placement into one of Canada’s largest independent recruitment firms.  

Today, our team of 200+ places 8,000+ talented candidates in meaningful roles of all seniority levels right across Canada—permanent and contract positions spanning industries and sectors.  

As the world of work changes, with new skills, new jobs, new language and new ways of working, we’re proud to evolve with it, helping companies find top talent in emerging fields and supporting candidates as they navigate the careers of the future.

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What’s next? Flying Car Mechanic? Metaverse Party Planner? Robot Walker? Bring it on!

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