A focused team collaborating beside a Grand Rapids skyline view on a bright morning
About us

We believe finding a job shouldn't feel like a full-time job.

We started in Grand Rapids with a simple frustration: job hunting was too scattered, too slow, and far too hard to trust. So we built Canal Street Ladder to give candidates one calmer place to search, build, and track with confidence.

What changes when the busywork disappears? You get clearer choices, stronger applications, and a process that feels human again.

Candidate-first design Built for focus Inclusive by default
Founded in Grand Rapids
With a remote team across the U.S.
100,000+ seekers
Supported since launch
Scroll down. The story gets more interesting.
Two founders reviewing product sketches and hiring notes around a coffee table

Built by job seekers, for job seekers

A recruiting platform shaped by real friction.

Our founders came from opposite sides of hiring: Alex, a former recruiter, and Morgan, a software engineer who watched family members struggle through clumsy applications. They kept asking the same question — why should so much talent get lost in the process?

In 2020, that question became a concept. In 2021, a 500-user beta proved the idea had legs. By 2023, we were serving candidates nationwide with tools that save time and reduce guesswork.

2020
The first sketches focused on clarity. What should candidates see first?
2021
Beta launch with 500 users helped shape the resume builder and tracker.
2023
Nationwide expansion brought employer partnerships and stronger search filters.
Alex, Co-founder

I wanted my mum, a career-changer, to have a better experience. Why shouldn't the platform feel like it was built for her?

Jordan, Co-founder

We kept trimming the noise until the next step felt obvious. Simple, not stripped down. There's a difference.

Transparency Simplicity Empathy Technology for good

What drives us every day

The values behind the career tools.

If a feature doesn't help a candidate move forward, why keep it? That question guides every release.

Candidate First

We redesign around real behaviour, not internal assumptions. Search filters were revised three times after user feedback, and the result was clearer from the first click.

Simplify Everything

Short forms. Clear labels. Fewer dead ends. Isn't the best job-search experience the one that gets out of your way?

Data-Driven Empathy

We listen to what candidates do, then build what they need. That mix keeps the platform practical without losing its human side.

Inclusive by Design

Accessibility sits at the centre of our process, from contrast checks to keyboard-friendly interfaces. Everyone deserves a fair shot.

The team volunteering at a local Grand Rapids job fair with candidates and community partners

Community work matters to us.

Our team shows up at job fairs, supports local workforce groups, and keeps listening to the people who use the platform. Why? Because better hiring doesn't happen in a vacuum.

The people behind the platform

A friendly team with serious standards.

We keep the culture remote-friendly, collaborative, and accountable. Strong opinions, kind delivery.

By the numbers

Our impact so far.

The figures keep changing, but the direction doesn't. More clarity. Less busywork.

150,000+
Resumes built
People needed a better starting point. We gave them one.
500,000+
Applications tracked
No more wondering where each role stands.
1M+
Job searches conducted
Searches with better filters, cleaner paths, and less noise.

Users in all 50 states

From Michigan to Maine, the platform is used by people at every stage of a job search. Different stories, same need: a simpler way forward. Where are you searching from?

Press and media

Curious how we think about modern hiring? Our press page shares product updates, research notes, and milestones.

Read media mentions

Join the mission

Be part of the future of hiring.

Are you an employer who wants to reach better candidates? Or a job seeker with feedback to share? We listen closely, because better hiring is built together.

Together, we can build a world where everyone finds work they love.

For Employers Job Seeker Feedback