Resume

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The resume format in Canada typically follows a particular structure. While searching for a job in Canada you will need to provide a typed resume. The resume format in Canada is quite different from CVs you may be used to writing in other countries.

Your resume is key to finding employment in Canada. Employers will generally assess your suitability for roles based on this document alone.

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Your resume format must contain (in this order):

• Contact information

• Professional / career summary

• Work experience

• Education / professional development

Where appropriate, you may also add:

• Technical skills

• Volunteer experience / community involvement

General pointers for your resume format

• A resume is a tool to get you an interview, not a thorough work history document. When you write a resume for Canada, concentrate on presenting the reader the highlights, not every detail. The interview is the time to go into detail.

• Your resume is the single most important tool to make an impression on employers. Typically, the reader will spend less than a minute browsing your resume, so make it interesting.

• Avoid long paragraphs and small fonts (less than size 10 is not a good idea). Use an easily readable font and make sure that only one font is used throughout.

• Do not use first person (e.g. “I am technical”, “I worked at ABC”). Use short sentences (e.g. “Worked at ABC”).

• Your resume should typically be a maximum of two pages. If you do not have a lot of experience, then one page should suffice. If you have 10+ years of experience, then three pages is acceptable.

• Don’t waste valuable space. Only list experience relevant for the role to which you are applying.

• Convert all terms to the North American equivalent. For example, use terms like “high school”, “GPA” (Grade Point Average — the equivalent for university grades), “internship”, etc.

• Do not list personal interests or hobbies unless they are achievements that add to your character. Employers don’t care if you like rugby, play piano, enjoy the cinema etc.

• Include relevant skills, such as being able to speak a second language or mastery of particular computer applications. But remember: they must be relevant to the job you’re applying for.

• Do not list that you are on a “gap year” or “one-year working visa”. Companies want to employ committed candidates who are going to contribute to their success.

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Other common resume format errors

• Do not include the word ‘resume’ or ‘CV’ at the top of the page, or the date you prepared the document.

• Do not sign your resume.

• Do not list references, or include the line ‘references available on request’. It will be assumed that you have these ready, so don’t waste valuable space on your resume by stating this. Have references’ names and contact details ready to go and make sure they’re willing to speak on your behalf.

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Contact Information

• Do not list your date of birth, gender, marital status, or parents’ names. It’s not required under the employment law in Canada, and is not necessary in the Canadian resume format.

• Where possible, ensure you have a Canadian address listed. More importantly, include a Canadian cell phone number. 

• Ensure that you have an e-mail address that looks professional. It should be a combination of your first name and last name only. Avoid using foreign domain names. If necessary, set up a new e-mail address for your job hunt.

• Add your LinkedIn profile URL. Customize your URL so that it isn’t as ‘clunky’ as the one that LinkedIn designated for you. You want to make it as easy as possible for the employer to find your profile. Also, ensure it’s up to date and that your profile contains a strong summary.

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Professional / career summary

This is a micro resume that will allow the reader to understand what your goals are and how you can help their company.

Three or four short sentences will suffice to set the tone for the detail that follows. Outline what makes you different, whether it is personality, technical ability, managerial skills, team building or some other talents.

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Begin by stating your objective clearly. You should list the title of the role you want to target. Being a jack of all trades is not a good thing for an employer. If you want to be a Construction Manager, then call yourself a Construction Manager. Don’t expect a company to identify what you should be.

If you would like to do two or three different things, then build two or three specific resumes. Follow the correct resume format in each. Listing “Marketing/Admin/Finance Professional” is not attractive, so have a clear focus for the relevant job application.

• Mention how many years of relevant experience you have, what type of experience this is, and your future ambitions.

• Avoid generic comments (e.g. “honest and hardworking professional”) and give the reader a true insight into your strengths and objectives. These should be unique to you, and not things that anyone can write on their resume.

• Mention your career aspirations, whether this is professional designations, supervisory work, managerial work, or other work.

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Work experience

Do not bore potential employers with all of all of your duties at previous jobs. You should include details of relevant roles, and remember that prospective employers will already be familiar with the duties and responsibilities of these roles, so there’s no need to list them.

Use three or four concise bullet points instead of long lists.