Canadian Resume Format: Write a Resume for Jobs in Canada

Canada. The great white north. Country of lumberjacks Call it what you want, our neighbor to the north offers all kinds of career opportunities.

Geographical proximity, cultural similarities, and generous mandatory licenses and benefits can make Canada a very attractive to work But how to start? How do you write a Canadian resume? Is it different from an American one?

We have the answers. This guide will help you learn everything you need to know about the Canadian resume format. And by the time you’re done, you’ll have a resume more Canadian than moose, maple leaves, and Medicare.

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[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. Same thing.

And when you’re done poutining all your skills and experience into a Canadian-style resume, we’ve got plenty of other pro tips, too.

• 18 Free Resume Templates to Download Now
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• 99+ Resume Ideas – Creative, Unique, Gallery
• Traditional Resume Template (5 Classic Examples)
• Eye-catching Resume Templates – How to Get Attention
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• Two Column Resume: 15+ Templates to Download
• Resume Design Templates: 15+ Ideas & How-tos
• Good Resume Examples That Get Jobs

Sample Canadian Resume

You just saw a perfectly written Canadian resume template. Now learn how to make your own.

1. Is the Canadian resume format different from the US resume format?

Canada and the United States have their similarities, but also many differences. From the way they do politics to the way they sell milk in bags, the land that gave us Jim Carrey and Justin Bieber might seem like a pretty original place.

But what about it? Do these differences extend to the Canadian curriculum? The answer is no. A resume in Canada is exactly the same as a US resume. There’s no need to worry about all the differences like you would when applying for a job outside of North America.

Or, to put it another way, a resume that’s just as American like apple pie is canadian. like maple syrup too! But let’s not leave it at that, now let’s take a look at some Canada resume tips to make sure your job search in Canada starts off on the right foot.

Pro Tip: If you live in Europe, Asia, or the Pacific, you probably refer to a resume as a CV. An American resume is basically the same thing as what you call a CV, but to better understand the two terms, check out our guide on the differences between a CV and a resume.

2. The Best Format for a Canadian Resume

The best resume format for Canadian jobs is the same tried-and-true classic as in the US. It’s known as a chronological or chronological resume. reverse. It puts your work experience up front and is the format recruiters are most familiar with on both sides of the border.

These are the sections of a typical chronological Canadian resume:

1. Resume heading with the candidate’s name, job title, and contact information
2. Resume summary or objective
3. Work experience
4. Education
5. Skills
6. Additional Sections

The standard Canadian resume format also follows the same design rules that you would use in the US. Good design ensures that you will have a document that looks professional and is easy to read.

Here are some basic guidelines for resume design:

• Set your resume margins to one inch on all sides and double space between sections to create enough white space for easy reading.
• Use line spacing set to 1.15.
• Limit to 1-2 pages for length of your resume.
• Choose a resume font format that is easy to read.
• Use a larger font size to emphasize the section headings of your resume and highlight important information with bold and italics.

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When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will rate your resume and tell you exactly how to do it better.

3. How to Write a Canadian Resume

As we’ve discussed, the same rules for writing a resume are followed in Canada as they are in the US.You’ll find detailed advice in our complete guide on how to write a resume. But if you want to get started quickly, here’s a brief section-by-section breakdown.

1. Add a header with contact information

Include your full name, title, and contact details. These should consist of your phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile. However, it is not necessary to include your address on your resume. It is not necessary and wastes space.

2. Write a Resume Outline

Your resume outline acts as the introduction to the content that follows. The general rule of thumb is to use a resume objective if you are just starting your career and a resume summary if you have more experience. A summary of qualifications is another good option if you have a lot of experience and achievements to highlight.

3. Please list your work experience

This is the most important part of your Canadian resume. 91% of employers prefer their candidates to have work experience, so you need to get your work experience section right to capitalize on that demand. Here’s how to do it.

• Use reverse chronological order, starting with your current or most recent position.
• Start with the basics, your job title, the name of the employer and location and dates of employment.
• Add up to six bullet points describing the role and start with resume action words for greater impact.
• Use accomplishment statements to showcase your professional achievements. And don’t just say what you did—prove how well you did it with quantified achievements.
• Include keywords on your resume to help you get past the ATS that scans your job application .

4. Mention your education

Often overlooked, but still necessary. List your degree, your school and location, and your graduation date (use an expected graduation date if you are still studying). Only include your GPA on your resume if you just graduated and it’s a 3.5 or higher.

And another thing to include in your education section if you just graduated is courses and extracurricular activities.

5. Include a list of skills

The skills employers look for on a Canadian resume are the same as they are in the US. Be sure to include a combination of skills hard and soft skills, and gear your resume to work by keeping your skills section relevant and focused.

6. Use Extra Sections

Extra sections are the icing on the cake, or since this is a Canadian resume, the sauce on the poutine. Adding them gives you the opportunity to add additional skills and achievements and stand out from other applicants.

Here are some of the best options:

• Personal hobbies and interests
• Foreign languages
• Certifications and licenses
• Projects
• Volunteer work
• Publications
• Achievements and awards

And there’s no need to add references to your resume or even write “references available upon request.” If an employer needs your references, they will request them later in the hiring process. Including them now is just a waste of valuable page space.

7. What Not to Include on a Canadian Resume

You guessed it, the same rules apply as for an American resume. Here are the things you shouldn’t include on your resume.

• A resume photo
• Private information like marital status, age, and race.
• Salary Requirements
• Lies

And that’s it, you’re all set to craft the perfect Canadian-style resume.

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an edge over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter generator here. Here’s what it might look like:

See more cover letter templates and start writing .

Key Takeaway

The Canadian resume format is exactly the same as the American resume format. Follow the same guidelines and focus on writing a resume that suits the job you’re applying for and best showcases your strengths as a candidate. It’s that easy. All the best for your job search in Canada!

Thanks for reading. If you would like more information on the Canada resume format, please ask in the comments section and we will be happy to help you.

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