How to Prepare a Canadian-Style Resume
By Aleks Stypulkowska
Creating a Canadian-style resume is the best way to jump start a career in Canada! It helps to highlight the skills and qualifications you already have to an employer and sends out the message to potential companies that you are aware of Canadian employment standards and customs and are ready to enter the workforce. However, as a newcomer, writing an appropriate resume can be a challenge. Below are some great tips to get you started.
Additionally, if you are unclear on how to write your resume, the Rexdale Women's Centre is here to help! It's qualified staff can provide you with the support you need in the application process to help you land your first job in Canada or your dream job.
For resume writing assistance click here.
Resume Format
When trying to make a positive first impression with Canadian employers, it is a great idea to use a conventional Canadian format on your resume. It will be easier for the employers to navigate and review because they are familiar with the style and it will appear more professional.
A resume in Canada should be 1-2 pages long. For seniority positions, 2 pages are recommended so there is enough room to add all the experience and credentials. For entry-level positions, a 1 page resume is preferred. Hiring managers may dismiss a long resume for a starter job, believing the candidate to be overqualified.
The most popular resume formats are Chronological and Functional.
Chronological Resume
The most common resume used by job seekers
Hiring departments prefer this format because it is the most conventional
It is organized by time. The work experience section is listed in reverse-chronological order (from the most recent experience to the oldest)
This style of resume is most recommended when you have lots of experience in your field
Functional Resume
A functional resume is an alternative resume format which emphasizes the job seeker's skills rather than formal experience
It is recommended if you are a recent graduate, have large gaps in your employment or are changing careers.
Download examples of both from Settlement.org
Do Not Include In Your Resume
Your resume should not include personal information such as:
your age
marital status
gender
religion
race
immigration status
or picture (unless you are applying to be a model or actor)
Do not provide your social insurance number (SIN) on your application. An employer can only request your SIN once a job offer has been accepted.
Your references or salary expectations should not be listed on your resume unless otherwise specified in the job posting. Then references should be included on a separate page and salary expectations can be added to your cover letter.
You only want to include relevant information for your application. Write only past employment or skills if they applicable to job.
Any work experience that is more than 10 years old should be left off your resume.
When writing your past job experience you do not need include exact dates. Instead just put the years you were employed at a company. (ex. 2017-2019)
Do Include In Your Resume
You should always include your name on every page of your resume and add the page number to the bottom right corner. Should you pages get separated, the employer can still easily determine how the sheets fit together.
Make sure to include your objective (ex. To find a full-time job as a nurse). Modify your objective for each application to match the job posting.
Customize your resume for the job. List any training, skills and education that would be useful to the employer and all relevant work and volunteer experience.
Do use industry specific terminology. Look up the English terminology used in field and include it in your resume. Using the right terminology in your resume will help you look ready for that position in Canada.
Add social media links. Employers often do a background check on applicants through social media profiles. Make sure to hide or delete any unprofessional content from your accounts. If an account is very personal, mark it as private so employers can not access the content.
If possible list "Canadian Experience" on your application. This shows the employer that your language skills are advanced enough to maneuver in a Canadian environment and that you are familiar with Canadian customs
How do I get Canadian Experience
Canadian experience is any work experience within Canada. If you don't have any experience, it can create a barrier towards getting hired. Many newcomer complain about this common paradoxical problem: You need a job within Canada to gain Canadian experience but in order to get a job in Canada you need experience. Here are some potential solutions you should try as a newcomer:
Taking a lower-level position temporarily. This can have a huge pay-off within your job search.
Or volunteer at a not-for-profit organization. Even volunteer experience can make a positive impact in your resume.
Or invest in your education. Taking training or college course within Canada can prove to an employer that you can navigate within a Canadian environment. Even a short course can look great on your resume.
If you have any questions about the resume writing process, the Rexdale Women's Centre is here to help!