If you’re gearing up for job hunting in Canada, the first thing you’ll need (after your good luck charm) is a solid, Canadian-style resume. It’s probably not the same format you used back home, but don’t worry, it’s easy to master once you know what employers here are looking for.

Keep it Short and Sweet

Canadian resumes are typically one to two pages long. Unless you’re applying for a very senior role, aim for one crisp page. Employers spend seconds scanning resumes, think speed dating, but for jobs.

Stick to the Essentials

Your resume should include:

• Contact Information: Full name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile. No need for a photo, marital status, or date of birth.

• Professional Summary: A short intro about who you are and what you bring to the table.

• Skills: List key skills that match the job posting.

• Work Experience: Jobs listed in reverse chronological order (latest first), with 3 to 5 bullet points under each role highlighting achievements, not just duties.

• Education: Your degrees or certifications, including where and when you earned them. If your education or experience is from outside Canada, add a note saying, “Credential evaluated by WES” if applicable.

Customize, Customize, Customize

One-size-fits-all resumes? Not here. In Canada, you’re expected to tailor your resume for every job you apply to. Match your skills and experience to what the employer is asking for in the job ad. It shows you’re serious and paying attention.

Use Action Words

Start your bullet points with strong action verbs like "managed," "designed," "led," "coordinated," or "developed." Instead of saying: “Responsible for social media,” say: “Managed a social media strategy that increased engagement by 40%.” See the difference? One sounds like you showed up; the other sounds like you crushed it.

Small Details Matter

Double-check your spelling and grammar. Use a clean, professional font like Arial or Calibri, size 11 or 12. Keep formatting consistent, little things like that make a big impression.

Your resume is basically your first handshake with Canadian employers, so make it confident, clear, and customized. Once you nail the format, you’re already halfway to your first "We’d love to interview you!" email.