How to Format a Canadian Resume: Read Our Resume Guidelines for Canada

The Canadian resume format is how you share your professional experience, education, and skills, tailored to the expectations of Canadian employers. If you’re considering applying for jobs in this country, it’s important to tailor your resume to meet the expectations of hiring managers.

Now might be the perfect time to relocate. The Canadian government issued more than 600,000 temporary work permits to foreigners in 2022. They also plan to welcome 500,000 new immigrants each year by 2025. But, before you can land a job, you need a Canadian format resume.

Canadian resume template

To illustrate how to create a Canadian resume format, let’s first take a look at well-written and formated example.

What is a Canadian resume format?

A Canadian resume format is the standard way of applying for vacancies in Canada. This format is similar to the American resume format. However, there are some things that you should keep in mind. Here’s a rundown of the main characteristics of a Canadian resume.

• Clear formatting: Keep the formatting straightforward. Don’t be tempted to add too much color or creative elements as these could work against you. Your number one priority should be readability. When you’re done drafting your resume, review it and make sure that each piece of information is accessible.
• Canadian English: The language you use in your resume matters. If you write a Canadian format resume packed with American English, you won’t get very far! Instead, stick to Canadian English. This localized language often uses British English spellings rather than American ones. Keep that in mind!
• Fewer personal details: Unlike resumes for other countries, the Canadian resume format has a lack of personal details. Don’t include things, such as a photo, your age, gender, marital status, or any other personal information. The Canadian Human Rights Act prohibits any employment discrimination relating to these details.  

Key components of a Canadian resume:

Before we go any further, let’s look at the key components of a Canadian resume. Use the following as a guide when it comes to writing yours.

Contact information

Start out by including your contact information: Your full name, phone number, email address, and location. You don’t need to put your full address. Just write your city and province (e.g., Toronto, ON).

If you have an active LinkedIn profile, you can also include a link to it in your resume header. Make sure that the details on the page align with your resume. You don’t want any inconsistencies.

Resume summary

Next up, include a brief 2-3 sentence overview of your key skills, experiences, and what you bring to the table. This is called the resume summary. You should always tailor this to the job you’re applying for. Go back to the job advert and note down the core criteria. You can then align your summary with the role.

Work experience

Start by clearly stating your job title for each role—this helps employers quickly see what you've done. Include the company name and where it’s located, i.e. the city and province. Next, add the dates you worked there, using the month and year (e.g., January 2020 – August 2023).

For each position you include, list out your key responsibilities and achievements in bullet points. Don’t simply list your duties. Instead, forums on your achievements in that role. Try to add statistics, such as “Increased sales by 20%”. This approach makes your impact stand out!

Education

Ensure your education section is clear and concise. List your degree, such as a “Bachelor of Science”. Add the name of the school, where it’s located, and the dates you attended or when you graduated.

Of course, if you took any courses or received honors that are relevant to the job, it’s a good idea to highlight those as well. When you’re trying to stand out from the crowd, this tactic works wonders.

It’s important to note here that Canadian universities also have their own unique set of academic honors, such as:

• Governor General’s Academic Medal: This prestigious award is given to students who achieve the highest academic standing in their high school, undergraduate, or graduate programs. It’s one of the most recognizable academic awards in Canada.
• Chancellor’s Scholarship: Some Canadian universities offer Chancellor’s Scholarships, which are awarded based on outstanding academic achievements, leadership, and community service. These scholarships are often highly competitive and are specific to certain institutions.
• President’s Honor Roll: Similar to the Dean’s List, some universities in Canada have a President’s Honor Roll for students with exceptional academic performance. The criteria for this honor may vary by university.
• University Gold Medal: This is awarded by many Canadian universities to the top student in a faculty or department, typically at the undergraduate or graduate level. It’s a recognition of achieving the highest standing in an academic program.

Skills

When writing a Canadian format resume, your skills section must stand out. We recommend including hard or technical skills in this part of your application.

Of course, it’s also important to highlight your soft skills. Examples of this include “communication,” “time management.” and “organization”. Hint at these talents in the body of your resume. For example, you might showcase your communication by crafting a well-written resume and cover letter.

How to write a Canadian resume

Ready to get started and write a Canadian resume? We’ve got you covered. First things first, make sure it’s clean and simple. Canadian employers love a well-organized resume that’s easy to read.

It’s important to make sure that each section is presented clearly. Copy the resume structure we’ve outlined above to get each section right. Use bullet points to show off your key responsibilities and achievements—bonus points if you can add numbers to show your impact!

Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to tailor your resume to the Canadian job market. Let’s take a look at the small yet significant changes you can make to your existing application.

Customize your resume for the Canadian job market

When applying for jobs in Canada, it pays to understand the job market. So, before you do anything else, do your homework.

Here are the steps you should follow to do just that:  

• Read the job advert: Return to the job advert and look for any keywords included in the posting. Weaving these throughout your resume could help increase your chances of success. At a glance, the hiring manager will be able to see that you’re the perfect fit for the vacancy.
• Tailor your resume to Canada: Keep your resume clean and professional. Use Canadian English spellings throughout the document. These small details matter!
• Adapt your resume to the culture: Additionally, research the Canadian workplace culture and learn about the expectations.

Sending an American resume to a Canadian employer won’t get you far. Make these small tweaks to your resume and show that you’re serious about applying for a job in Canada.

Focus on achievements over responsibilities

Next, it’s one of the most important Canadian job market resume tips. Showcase your value to employers by focusing on your achievements over your responsibilities. So, instead of just listing the things you had to do at work, include the impact that your work had on the business.

For example, instead of saying “sold cars to clients,” you should say “increased car sales revenue by 20%”. This tells the hiring manager what results they can expect from you (if they hire you!).

Use Canadian English and localization

If you’re not Canadian, chances are you’re not familiar with the language. Many people make the mistake of presuming that it’s the same as American English. It’s not! Learning the basics will help you localize your resume.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common differences:

American English vs Canadian English

• Color, Labor, Honor VS Colour, Labour, Honour

• Center, Meter, Theater VS Centre, Metre, Theatre

• Defense, License, Offense VS Defence, Licence, Offence

• Traveling, Counseling, Labeled VS Travelling, Counselling, Labelled

• Catalog, Dialog VS Catalogue, Dialogue

What about words like “customize,” “specialize,” and “recognize”? Good question! Canadian English tends to favor the "s" in words whereas American English uses "z." However, this is only a general rule. You’ll see some Canadian text using “z” instead of “s”. Basically, the choice is yours!

Resume length

Generally, your Canadian format resume should be one to two pages long. The resume length you use depends on your professional stage. If you’ve had a long, illustrious career, you can use two pages. On the other hand, if you’re an entry-level applicant, you can fit your experience on one page.

While your resume should be detailed, you don’t want to waste space. Omit personal pronouns such as “I” in your summary and work experience section. This move can save you words! Also, avoid any fluff or creative language. Get straight in there with the facts and statistics.

Font and layout

The layout of your Canadian format resume should be similar to a standard American resume. Go for a two-column design that includes proper spacing between your resume sections.

Don’t use an “out of the box” font, either! Instead, go for recognizable fonts, such as Arial, Lato, or Rubik in 10 or 12 points for the body. For the headers, you can increase this to 14 or 16 points.

Make it easy for the hiring manager to skim your resume, too. You can do this by avoiding big blocks of text, which can look overwhelming. Instead, include bullet points throughout. These make it easy to share a load of information with the hiring manager in a short amount of words.

Avoid common resume mistakes

You’re about ready to start creating your Canadian format resume. However, there are some final points that you have to keep in mind. x

Here are the common mistakes that you don’t want to make:

• Including a headshot: Canadian employers don’t expect you to use a headshot on your resume. So, don’t do it.
• Adding personal details: You don’t need to include your date of birth, marital status, or any other personal details on a Canadian resume.
• Failing to tailor your resume: Don’t send out a one-size-fits-all resume. Research the business and be sure to adapt your application to its needs.
• Typos and mistakes: As we’ve covered, you need to write in Canadian English. You should also spell-check your resume before you submit it. Typos and mistakes will give the wrong impression.
• Creating a long resume: If your resume is longer than two pages, it’s time to edit it. Hiring managers don’t have time to read pages and pages when you apply for a job.

Avoiding the above mistakes is a must when you’re creating a Canadian resume. Once you’ve created your first draft, go back and make sure you’re not falling into these common traps.

Next up, let’s take a look at some examples of Canadian format resumes you can use for inspiration.

Examples of Canadian resumes

Looking for some creative inspiration? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve got a selection of Canadian resume format examples, listed by career level. Check out yours below.

Entry-level Canadian resume example

If you’re a recent graduate or lack experience, writing a Canadian format resume may seem challenging. Luckily, there are some simple things you can do to tailor your application to this market.

• Highlight transferable skills: Read the job advert and note down any core competencies you have. Showcase these on your entry-level resume by positioning them front and center.
• Boast about your education: If you’re a recent graduate, your education is your biggest asset. Include any relevant courses or academic achievements, aligning with the vacancy.
• Include volunteer experience: Whether you’ve volunteered at a charity or nonprofit, now’s the time to talk about it. This shows the hiring manager that you have a strong work ethic.
• Tailor your resume to the role: Use keywords from the job posting throughout your resume. You can include these terms in your skills and experience sections.

Use the Canadian resume format example above to guide you. While you may not have a ton of experience, there are straightforward ways you can show off your value to a potential employer.  

Professional Canadian resume example

You’ve been working in your industry for many years. You have a load of experience to shout about. With that in mind, how can you create a Canadian resume format that ticks all the boxes?

• Emphasize your relevant experience: Review the job advert and your resume. Highlight the experience relevant to the vacancy that you’re applying to.
• Add measurable outcomes: Wherever possible, add measurable outcomes to your resume. Include numbers and statistics to convey the impact your work had on the business.
• Be specific about hard skills: When you’re at the mid-level of your career, hiring managers will expect you to have a bunch of hard skills. Be specific about your proficiencies.
• Match the company culture: Research the business online and learn about the company culture. Ensure your resume aligns with the business and its values.

Take a look at our professional Canadian resume format example now. As you can see, there are plenty of ways to demonstrate your value to a hiring manager.

Senior-level Canadian resume example

As a senior-level professional, focus on your leadership abilities, contributions, and impact. Use our tips to help you create a Canadian resume from scratch.

• Write a persuasive summary: Use this paragraph to emphasize your ability to drive growth and lead a team. Add statistics and facts to back up any claims you make.
• Demonstrate your leadership skills: When you get to this level, the hiring manager will expect you to have keen leadership skills. Highlight them throughout your resume.
• Avoid jargon: Write your Canadian resume in plain English. Make sure that this document is easy to read—it’ll give you a higher chance of landing an interview.
• Include keywords and phrases: Add keywords and phrases from the job advert into the body of your resume, showing the hiring manager how you align with this role.

As you can see in our senior-level Canadian resume example, you can highlight your value to the hiring manager. Include as much evidence of your value as possible to win them over.

Tailoring your resume for different industries in Canada

Want to make a strong impression on the hiring manager? Tailoring your resume to the industry in Canada is the answer. Let’s take a look at some of the common industries and how you can align with them.

IT industry resume

Canada’s tech industry is booming—with 55% of companies currently recruiting full-time staff members. If you’re looking to land a job in IT, you need to lead with your credentials. Start by including any relevant certificates or training that you have. Be clear about your technical skills and how you use them.

Include references to these skills within your summary. Whenever you make a claim about your experience, add a statistic to show the impact that your work has had. Canadian employers will be looking for professionals who are worth their weight in gold.

Healthcare industry resume

There’s little margin for error in healthcare. When crafting your Canadian healthcare resume, be upfront about your abilities. Include any memberships or associations on this document as well as your credentials. The aim of the game is to show the hiring manager that you’re a solid candidate.

Choose the right language for the job—your tone should be formal but not jargon-laden. When using common medical acronyms, explain what they mean. Instead of simply putting “CNA,” you should write out the full name as “Canadian Nurses Association”.

Finance industry resume

The Canadian finance industry is all about the bottom line. When a hiring manager is reviewing your resume, they’ll be on the lookout for cold, hard results. Include a selection of quantifiable achievements. By leading with statistics and numbers, you can create a strong application from the get-go.

Avoid overloading your resume with too much information. Use bullet points to deliver a wealth of detail without presenting the hiring manager with a wall of text, making your finance resume skimmable!

Engineering industry resume

The engineering industry in Canada is recovering well after the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re looking for a role in this illustrious field, ensure your resume hits the mark. Show a linear career timeline that details how you’ve grown and developed your skills as an engineer. Include any additional training, too.

Be sure to align your engineering resume with the demands of the vacancy. Do some research on the company and its contracts and use this information to position yourself as the ideal candidate.

When to use a Canadian resume format

Now you know how to create a Canadian resume format, let’s talk about when you should use it.

There are two instances when it’s beneficial to use this structure for your applications, as follows:

Applying for jobs in Canada

If you’re applying for jobs in Canada—and looking to relocate—you should use this format. Employers will expect to see the Canadian resume format. If you stray from this, your application may not make the cut. As we’ve covered, there are small (but impactful!) changes you can make to align with this market.

Applying for remote jobs with Canadian companies

Remote work is becoming more and more common. So, even if you’re not willing to relocate, you may be applying to work for a Canadian firm. In that case, you should also use the Canadian standard format. It doesn't matter that you’re from another country, localizing your application is always the way to go.

Frequently asked questions about Canadian resumes

Do you have a burning question on your mind? Let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions surrounding Canadian resumes.

Conclusion

The Canadian job market is stable and open to professionals around the globe. In this guide, we’ve covered everything you need to know about how to write a resume in Canada. Avoid simply using a copy-and-pasted resume and tailor your application to Canadian employers. That way, you can significantly increase your chances of getting an interview and landing your next dream job.