With employees all over the world becoming enamored with remote work over the past few years, you may be considering a relocation. With proximity and a shared language, Canada is a compelling option for those looking to leave the US but not feel too far from home.
If you find the right type of job in Canada, it’s important to make sure you’re using the right Canadian resume format. The best Canadian resumes are not too dissimilar to those in the US. However, there are some key differences of which you should be aware.
Increase your chances of success by building your Canadian resume with Resume.io. With guides and resume examples covering over 500 careers, plus a resume builder, we make it easier than ever to create an excellent resume, whether you’re seeking a US or Canadian format.
This resume guide and corresponding Canadian resume example will cover the following:
The first step to writing your Canadian resume is understanding what sections to include. Make sure your resume contains the following:
As we mentioned, there are some differences between resume formats in the US and Canada. The major ones to watch for are as follows:
Even with these differences, there’s plenty in common. To set your resume up to land the job, keep these things in mind:
Optimize for the ATS
An applicant tracking system is used by companies to collect and track all of their candidates and job applications. Some advanced systems use algorithms to scan and assess resumes based on how well they match up to the job posting.
To ensure the most success, review the job description for the most important keywords and ensure they’re well-reflected on your resume.
Our article about resume ATS optimization offers additional tips and tricks.
Just like in the US, reverse chronological is the best resume format. This puts the focus on your specific work history and experience, giving the hiring manager exactly what they are looking for. To use this format, simply display your work history from the most recent to the earliest.
If you’re light on work experience or making a major career change, you may find success with a functional format, which emphasizes your skills and traits over your specific work history. Or, try to merge the two formats into one that captures the best of both worlds.
Whichever you choose, you can see examples in action and check out different resume templates in our resume builder.
The best design for your resume will depend on the type of work you do. Sift through our modern, creative, professional, and simple versions to see which best suits your experience.
Your resume’s header is important regardless of which format you use and in which country you’re searching. Without it, the reader won’t know how to get in touch to invite you for an interview. The header has a single goal: communicate your contact information.
There are a few items you should be sure to include in your Canadian resume header:
Don’t include:
Sara Winchester
Sales Manager
sara.winchester@gmail.com
+1 360-345-3275
Seattle, WA - Relocating to Vancouver, BC
Sara Winchester
sara.winchester@gmail.com
345-3275
1723 Summit Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122
A summary is the first part of your resume that will really grab the hiring manager’s attention. It’s where you get to pull together your experience, expertise, and enthusiasm for the role and craft a narrative. But don’t say too much—the summary should only be 2-4 sentences, so keep it light.
Don’t just reiterate your resume or use vague statements. Instead, use action verbs and specific achievements to show how you’re the best fit for the job at hand. For example, if you’re applying to a sales role, you might include something like, “High-achieving sales leader with a track record of exceeding quota five years in a row, while expanding into new territories.”
Imagine you’re in an elevator with the hiring manager and have just a few minutes to pitch yourself as the solution to their business problem. The summary is a written version of your elevator pitch.
Need inspiration for your summary? Check out our related resumes:
You can find an adaptable Canadian example summary below:
Experienced telemarketer with a proven track record of achieving sales targets and building strong customer relationships. Skilled in lead generation, cold calling, and customer service. Proficient in using various telemarketing software and CRM tools. Committed to delivering exceptional results and contributing to company growth.
If you’re using the reverse chronological format, list your current or most recent job first, then work your way backwards. Only go back 10-15 years to keep the focus on the most recent and relevant work. Try to keep your experience related to the job you’re applying to; if you have unrelated experience that you feel strongly about including, you can create an “other experience” section.
List your company, title, and dates of work (being mindful of Canadian date conventions). Underneath each job, use concise bullet points to describe your achievements and results. Just like with a US resume format, there’s no need to write complete sentences or use pronouns like “my” or “I.” Do, however, start each bullet point with a verb—delivered, innovated, accomplished, directed, sold, negotiated, led.
Don’t simply reiterate your role’s job description. Your resume should showcase how you made a unique impact in the position, not just detail the tasks you were assigned. For example, you can imagine an administrative assistant resume with bullets like:
While those are all accurate to an administrative assistant job, nothing about them stands out or proves how the writer is the best candidate for the job. And if you’re applying to a job in an entirely new country, especially if you require relocation assistance, you’ve got to pull out all the stops to set yourself apart as the very best.
That’s where results come in. Shoot for each bullet point to include a specific metric, result, or impact. When you do this, it transforms your resume:
Now, that looks like someone you want to hire!
Take a look at the Canadian employment history resume sample below:
Senior Telemarketer at ABC Industries, Ottawa, ON
November 2018 - Present
Telemarketer at XYZ Corporation, Ottawa, ON
July 2016 - October 2018
If you don’t have direct work experience for the role intended with your Canadian resume, you can still shoot your shot at the job. By focusing on your transferable skills and any relevant education, you can show yourself as an excellent fit even without exact experience doing the job.
What information you include will depend on the sort of job you’re targeting. If you’re seeking a role as a software engineer, for instance, you might include your bachelor’s in computer science, previous internships, and any side projects you’ve done on your own.
If you’re looking to break into sales, you might include experience working as a server in a restaurant and honing your communication and interpersonal skills.
Just like in the US, your Canadian resume should display your top skills in the skills section. List both your hard and soft skills to paint a comprehensive picture of your abilities.
Hard skills are those that can be demonstrated and assessed, like expertise with a specific software system or knowledge of a project management methodology.
Soft skills, on the other hand, are those that pertain to interpersonal or intrinsic abilities like customer service, communication skills, or strong time management skills.
Resume.io’s resume builder includes several skills from which to choose, and you also have the option to add your own.
Here’s what the skills box looks like in our Canadian resume template.
However, the skills section is just one place to show your expertise. You should also display your skills throughout your resume, especially in the summary and work experience sections.
For example, consider highlight things like:
Whatever the role, the job description is the best place to look as you determine the most important skills to include.
In general, your resume’s education section is fairly straightforward. Just like with your work history, you’ll list your educational experience in reverse chronological order, including the institution name, the degree or certification you earned, and — if within the past five years — the date achieved.
If you have a university degree or higher, there’s no need to include high school information. But formal education isn’t the only thing to include here. You can also incorporate the following:
Associate of Science in Business Administration, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON
August 2014 - May 2016
The design and layout of your resume has a big impact on the hiring manager’s first impression, so you want to get it right. It should grab the attention of the reader, be simple to understand, and be representative of your professionalism.
A great layout contains ample whitespace, clean lines, and limited color and fonts. While it’s fine to show a little personality with a pop of color or a modern font, don’t go overboard.
Although there’s no shortcut to a perfect resume, if you’re searching for a free Canadian resume format template, check out our field-tested resume templates. We take care of the hardest part for you, helping your skills to shine.
Profile
Experienced telemarketer with a proven track record of achieving sales targets and building strong customer relationships. Skilled in lead generation, cold calling, and customer service. Proficient in using various telemarketing software and CRM tools. Committed to delivering exceptional results and contributing to company growth.
Employment history
Senior Telemarketer at ABC Industries, Ottawa, ON
November 2018 - Present
Telemarketer at XYZ Corporation, Ottawa, ON
July 2016 - October 2018
Skills
Overall, the job market in Canada is in flux just like that in the US. Unemployment is higher than that of the US, but the country is seeing increases in work within sectors like healthcare, natural resources, food services, and professional, scientific, and technical services.
How much a professional will earn in Canada depends on the type of role, just like in any other location. Some of the highest-paying professions include medical roles like surgeon, physician, or psychologist; first responder work such as firefighter or police officer; and technical roles like data scientist or engineer.
It’s also the case that average salaries are similar between the US and Canada, but one must factor in the cost of living and how it can impact their overall take-home pay.
Taking all roles into consideration, the average weekly earnings in Canada range from $1,200 to $1,305 per week ($62,400 to $67,860 per year).
Canada offers plenty of opportunities for those looking to leave the US and experience a new country while not straying far from the comforts of home. For your best chances at a job, you need the best Canadian resume format and content.
Luckily, the differences between resumes meant for the US or Canada are slight, so most of your current resume can stay the same with some minor tweaks. Be sure to focus on achievements, top skills, and relevant education for the most success.
Our online resume builder can help you streamline the process, land an interview, and win the job. Happy trails!