How to create a Canadian-style resumé and cover letter

Canadian employers tend to ask applicants to send them a “resumé.” In Canada, the term “CV” (Curriculum Vitae) is usually reserved for academic or research-oriented positions where a more detailed document is expected. Most employers will be happy with a basic one- or two-page resumé.

It doesn’t need to be visually fancy or design-forward. What’s important is that it communicates relevant information clearly. You can use resumé templates on Google Docs or Microsoft Word and customize them as needed.

Here is a sample resumé whose format is simple and common in Canada.

Tips for creating your Canadian-style resumé

When creating your Canadian resumé, we recommend that you:

• Don’t include personal information that could expose you to potential discrimination (e.g., age, marital status, number of children, religious beliefs).
• Don’t include a photo of yourself. A link to your LinkedIn profile, however, is fine.
• Don’t use the same resumé that you had created for your IEC permit application. That one was for immigration purposes, this one is for employment purposes.
• Make sure your education attained is clear to a Canadian reader, e.g., “level + name of degree + name of institution + length of time studying.”
• List your work experience before your education if you’ve already worked before.
• Include a short description of your past employers if they are not well known in Canada. For example: “Woolworths Group (a major Australian retail company).”
• Format your resumé to fit a single sheet of A4 paper..
• Use an appropriate email address ending in “.ca” or “.com”.

Highlight relevant experiences

It is important to highlight the skills and experiences your prospective employer is looking for.

You have a number of “soft skills”, i.e. transferable skills that you developed in one situation, which can be transferred to another situation. Leadership, time management, prioritisation or delegation are common transferrable skills that can be developed in any industry and applied to many experiences.

A resumé for a generic customer service position and a resumé for a specific offer in your field should look very different. It may not be necessary to highlight your post-secondary degree for an entry level job because the hiring manager may think you’re overqualified and unlikely to stick around. A better strategy would be to list soft skills that fit the work environment—able to multitask, good communication skills, etc.

Should my resumé be in English or in French?

English and French are official in Canada at the federal level, so depending on where you are, you may see job listings in either language.

You should apply in whatever language the job listing is written in. For bilingual positions, feel free to send whichever version you are more comfortable with.

How long should my resumé be?

In the case of most working holiday makers, one page should be sufficient. Most of you are young adults still early in your career.

Two- and three-page resumés should only be for those with an extensive (and relevant) work history or positions in academia.

Professional references

At the last stage of the hiring process, your prospective employer usually contacts two or three people who know you personally and ask them about your professional skills, your character, and your strengths and weaknesses.

These are some of the golden rules of job reference etiquette:

• Ask people if they are willing to provide a favourable job reference on your behalf. Don’t list someone as a reference without asking for permission.
• You can list former bosses, managers, teachers or mentors. Friends, roommates and relatives aren’t acceptable references.
• Let your reference know that they may be contacted. Tell them about the position you applied for and give them the name of the hiring manager.
• A reference check is usually the last step of the hiring process. The hiring manager will ask for references if needed, so you don’t need to give out the info until you’re asked to.
• Always thank people for giving up their time to provide a reference, especially if you get the job.

Providing Canadian references will be a challenge at first, so it’s best to come prepared with contact details for your former employers.

Your references may have to answer a few questions or fill out a questionnaire. Typical questions asked revolve around confirming employment dates, your job title and responsibilities. Some employers will ask more personal questions about your work habits (punctuality, team spirit, etc.) to see if you’re reliable, successful, and if you’d fit into the work culture.

Resources for writing resumés and cover letters

Working Holiday permit holders and Canadian university graduates have one thing in common—they’re both entering into the Canadian job market for the first time. To help students navigating the workforce, most Canadian universities have a career section online with tips for finding employment, as well as resources for writing resumés and cover letters.

For example, the University of Toronto website features advice for writing a resumé. The entire Career Centre is a goldmine of information to create an effective resumé.

If you need a French version of your resumé, look at resources from the University of Montreal.

Finally, the Government of Canada offers a resumé builder on their Job Bank website.