dictionary

Canadian Resume

 

Most Canadian employers accept computer applications.

In Canada the job application procedure is more commercial than in most other Western countries. In result both the cover letter and the resume (Canadians use résumés instead of CVs) should contain power words and action verbs that show accomplishment and action.

Be aware, there are some differences within the country itself. In English-speaking Canada applying for a job is very much like in the US - you have to actively sell yourself. But in the French part of the country it is more formal and a little less direct. Somehow close to a French CV.

Type your international resume on no more than two to three pages, depending on the length of your work experience, in reversed chronological order - detailing your most recent activities first. Use concise and punchy sentences filled with action verbs and power words

The aim of your Canadian Resume should be to persuade the employer to invite you for a job interview. Therefore your resume is a marketing tool, which should be customized to the market in which you intend to use it.

Traditionally, the contact information with your name is centered at the top of each page with the page number on every page following the first one. In Canada resumes are kept on file for 3 to 6 months or longer, so any contact details you give have to remain accurate in the long term. A daytime phone number, with the international access code and e-mail are most important.

‘Education’ lists colleges and/or universities attended, dates of attendance, courses of study and diplomas or degrees. Also mention extra courses or training, internships, computer skills and foreign travel. Detail your linguistic abilities with reference to the spoken and written levels.

‘Work Experience’ specifies the firm names, your titles, dates of employment and responsibilities. State whether the work was temporary or part-time. If you have no job at the present, you should mention that fact also. Make your resume more effective by providing examples to prove your achievements. Use power words and action verbs to describe your achievements, such as contributed, organized, managed, developed etc. Bullet point these at the start of a sentence for maximum impact.

Finally close your resume with “References available on request” or on a separate page write three references, with their titles and contact information, and attach it to your application.

Legally Canadian employers are not allowed to discriminate. Employment decisions based on attributes other than a person’s qualification to perform a job — e.g. race, color, gender, religion, personal associations, national origin, age, disability, political beliefs, HIV status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation or family responsibilities etc. are prohibited. So, carefully consider what to leave out of your resume.

In Canada resumes are often scanned by employers, so make your resume scannable by avoiding for example lines or italic fonts.


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Other Canadian Resume Info

Now to finalize your canadian job search, if your canadian cover letter and Canadian Resume are ready, you may email them through our job search engine to job recruiters and executive headhunters.

On a canadian job interview page you will find useful tips on a job interview and a job interview dress code in Canada.

Good luck with your canadian resume.

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