Canada Resume Format: Best Tips and Examples

(Updated)
zipjob.com/blog/canada-resume-format

August 11, 2020

Aug 11, 2020

Written by Caitlin Proctor

Career Expert, ZipJob

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If you’re looking for a job in Canada, you need to have a resume–not a CV–to begin your
job search. This is easy for job seekers who already use a USA resume, but will require
more adjustments for job seekers with a more comprehensive CV. In this article, we will go
over some essential tips for creating a Canadian resume. At the end of the article, we’ve
included a sample resume you can use to increase your chances of getting a new job in
Canada.

Zipjob has a wide network of career experts and hiring managers, so the information on
our blog is based on real experience from people who know how to land a job in the US and
Canada. Spoiler alert: they’re pretty similar systems!

The 3 resume formats you can use in Canada

There are only three types of formats you should use for a resume in Canada:

Traditional reverse chronological

Strategic functional resume
Balanced hybrid resume

All of these formats include the same basic information with a different layout.

ZipTip: view 200+ more professional resume samples for all industries, along with
expert advice and a free 2020 resume template.

It is vital to choose the right resume format for the job. Your choice should be determined
by the amount of experience you have and the type of job you’re seeking. We’ll go into
details about when to choose a different Canadian resume format, but most job seekers use

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the reverse chronological resume format.

Most Canadian employers use an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) to screen your resume
before it’s ever seen by a human. These ATS tests weed out an average of 75% of resumes
submitted. Many times the candidate is qualified, but the resume is not optimized for ATS.

When to use a reverse chronological Canada resume format

A reverse chronological resume details your job experience in reverse chronological order,
starting with the most recent position. This is the best resume format if you have at least
some experience in the workforce. If you are a recent college graduate or have significant
work gaps, however, you should consider the hybrid or functional resume formats.

When to use a hybrid or functional Canada resume format

The functional resume is a versatile format that focuses on your skills and qualifications
instead of experience. While your employment history is still included, it is usually listed
after your skills and education section. That places greater emphasis on those skills,
showcasing your suitability for the position. As a result, this option can sometimes be used
effectively by newcomers to the workplace and those who are changing careers.

A hybrid resume retains the expanded reverse chronological work experience section, but
it’s no longer the bulk of the resume. Instead, the skills section is also expanded to include a
summary of qualifications in addition to the technical skills or core competencies section.

It should be noted, however, that many experts advise job seekers in Canada to stick to a
format closer to the reverse chronological. Regardless of the format you chose, here is the
basic information a hiring manager is looking for on your resume:
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 Name and contact information (phone, email, city and province, and LinkedIn URL)
Skills
Experience
Education

Top 3 things Candian employers want to see on a resume

You can maximize your odds of landing a job if you understand what Canadian employers
want to see. That can help you to shape your Canadain resume format to fit those desires.
Here are the questions you need to answer on your Canadian resume:

1. Hard skills
Make sure your Canada resume format emphasizes the technical skills needed to perform
the job. These may include data analysis, language skills, computer skills, or similar
qualifications relevant to the position.

2. Soft skills
Canadian employers appreciate people skills. These soft skills can include everything from
communication and teamwork skills to problem-solving, flexibility, and the ability to learn
and adapt. Include these vital skills throughout your resume with examples, results, and
metrics.

3. Professional qualifications
Canadian employers, like most other employers, value relevant professional qualifications.
Make sure you are qualified by the right institutions for the job you’re applying for.
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Canada resume format example:

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Additional tips for writing a Canadian resume
To modify your resume to the Canada resume format, it’s important to pay attention to the
small details.

1. Include only the relevant information

Starting with your contact information at the very top, include your name, location (city
and province), phone, email, and LinkedIn URL. If you have a second page, it should also
include your name at the top of the page.

Keep your skills, experience, and additional information highly tailored to the job you’re
applying for. This might mean omitting jobs from 10+ years ago or adding in volunteer
work.

2. Don’t include too much information

Don’t include any personal details like your date of birth, parent or spouse names, marital
status, or identification numbers. Canadian employers don’t want to see this and may
reject your resume automatically to avoid discrimination concerns.

3. Include a cover letter

Take the extra time to write a custom cover letter for each job you apply to. It’s
professional, polite, and shows that you care about this position. It’s one of the best things
you can do to stack up well against candidates with similar experience to you!

ZipTip: professional resume writers know how to organize your resume to appeal to
hiring managers. Check out our guide to the best resume writing services to find your
perfect fit!

Summary
The resumes in Canada are very similar to resumes in the US, but vastly different from CVs
in other countries. Stick to resume formats that employers will expect, and play up your
strengths. By using these Canada resume format tips, you can increase your chances of
securing an interview and landing an eventual job.

Good luck with your job search!

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