We often find that one of our clients’ biggest challenges when applying for work in Canada is the formatting of their resume and cover letter. Canadian job resumes and cover letters have a different format than those from other countries. There is specific information that should and should not be included. There are also trends in terms of how to format the information.
Resume Format in Canada
Your main objective when creating a job resume is to show the reader (i.e. Human Resources Specialist, Hiring Committee, etc.) that you have the skills and experience needed for the job you are applying to.
We always suggest that applicants select the key duties they performed in previous jobs that would be applicable to the job they are currently applying for. You should aim to highlight the skills you have that make you a qualified candidate for the role.
A Canadian resume should contain the following information:
Contact information (email, phone number, and current address)
Professional/career summary
Work experience (i.e. your position, the name of the company or institution you worked for, the years you held the position, and key responsibilities you had or duties you performed in your position)
Education (the program of study, name and type of institution that issued the degree, the type of degree you earned, and the years you attended)
Other Canadian Resume Tips
Make your resume readable. Use a clear, easy-to-read font. Make sure it’s not too small and is consistent throughout the resume. We often suggest using a font like Arial or Times New Roman in pt. 12.
Ensure that you have an email address that looks professional. It should be a combination of your first name and last name. Avoid slang terms or nicknames. It can also be helpful to avoid using emails with foreign domains, like .co.uk, or .co.in.
What NOT to Include
Some information that is traditionally included in resumes around the world is not considered relevant or useful in Canadian job resumes. Information that you should not provide in your Canadian resume includes:
Gender
Sexual orientation
Nationality
Religion
Weight
Height
Age
Marital status
Citizenship status
Family status
Disability
Blood type
Canadian Job Resume Sample
Canadian Resume Examples & Templates:
Our Services
Calver and Associates is a leading provider of Canadian Immigration services in Durham Region. We serve clients in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, and beyond. Our Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant has over 10 years of experience in Canadian Immigration law and over four years of experience serving those in the Oshawa area.
We can provide assistance with applications for both temporary and permanent residency in Canada. We handle applications for study permits, permanent residency, family class sponsorship, visitor visas, work permits, and Canadian citizenship. We also handle criminal inadmissibility cases by developing remedies for refusal.
