Canadian Resume Format resume examples & templates

If you’re considering a major move from the US to Canada, it’s important to understand the best practices for Canadian resume formats. You’re in luck—we’re here to walk you through, step by step, how to create a compelling Canadian resume.

Resume guide for a Canadian resume format

How to write a Canadian resume
• Choosing the right resume format for Canada
• Include your contact information
• Craft a compelling summary
• Outline your work experience
• Include the key skills that make you a great employee
• Detail your education & relevant certifications
• Pick the right resume layout and design for a Canadian resume

Canadian job market and outlook
• What type of salary you can expect in Canada

Key takeaways for building a Canadian resume

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.

Resume guide for a Canadian resume format

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:

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• How to write a resume using the right Canadian format
• Choosing the right resume structure
• How to add your contact information
• Using summaries or profiles
• Adding your relevant experience
• Listing your educational credentials
• Picking the right resume design/layout
• What the Canadian job market and salaries look like

How to write a Canadian resume

The first step to writing your Canadian resume is understanding what sections to include. Make sure your resume contains the following:

• The resume header
• The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The resume skills section
• The education section

As we mentioned, there are some differences between resume formats in the US and Canada. The major ones to watch for are as follows:

• Language and spelling. A US resume will use American English, while Canadian resumes often use British English. Depending on the part of Canada, Canadian resumes may even be written in French.
• Data format. In the US, it’s customary to write dates as Month - Day - Year (e.g., May 5, 2024). In Canada, resumes should display the date using a Year - Month - Day.
• Resume length. Resumes in the US can be 1-2 pages in length, while Canadian resumes can be a bit longer especially if the writer has extensive work experience.

Even with these differences, there’s plenty in common. To set your resume up to land the job, keep these things in mind:

• Highlight accomplishments rather than responsibilities. Regardless of the country, the reader of your resume wants to understand what you achieved and how you made an impact.
• Just like you’re tailoring your resume to a new country, do the same for each employer. Adjust your content, tone, and style to be the most relevant.
• Use a resume template that suits the Canadian resume format and is easy to read.
• Optimize your resume with relevant keywords so it’s clear to the reader—or an applicant tracking system—how you’re the best fit.

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.

Choosing the right resume format for Canada

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.

Include your contact information

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:

• Your full name & title. List your first and last name and the title of the role you are pursuing.
• A professional email address. Your email address should be professional, like [email protected], not silly or quirky.
• Your phone number. Include the phone number where you can most easily be reached, and make sure your voicemail is set up. Since you’re applying to a role in a new country, include your country code.
• Your current and future location. In general, you need only list your city and state. It’s best to avoid your full address for safety reasons, and a zip code won’t be relevant to a Canadian reader. However, since you’re looking to relocate, state “Willing to Relocate” or “Relocating to Canada” here.
• Your LinkedIn profile. If you have an active LinkedIn profile, include it here.

• Date of birth: This isn’t necessary in the US or Canada, and could potentially lead to age discrimination.
• Personal details: Marital status, social security number, passport number, etc. can all be left off.

Seattle, WA - Relocating to Vancouver, BC

1723 Summit Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122

Craft a compelling summary

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:

• Career change resume example
• Traditional resume example
• General resume example

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.

Outline your work experience

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:

• "Assisted with administrative tasks.”
• "Helped the boss manage his calendar.”
• “Ordered office supplies.”

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:

• "Owned all administrative tasks for a busy law firm, including booking 5 travel arrangements per month, achieving 100% accurate data entry, and greeting all visitors.”
• "Coordinated and managed executive’s schedule, including daily calendaring and complex scheduling of 10+ meetings per week.”
• “Managed office supply inventory and ordering for office of 50, ensuring adequate stock and timely replacements as needed.”

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

• Consistently exceed monthly sales targets by an average of 25% through effective lead generation and cold calling techniques.
• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of company products and services to provide tailored solutions to customers.
• Collaborate with the sales team to identify cross-selling and upselling opportunities, resulting in a 15% increase in average order value.
• Train and mentor new telemarketing staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Telemarketer at XYZ Corporation, Ottawa, ON
July 2016 - October 2018

• Conducted outbound calls to potential customers, generating leads and setting appointments for the sales team.
• Achieved a 95% customer satisfaction rate by actively listening to customer needs and providing appropriate solutions.
• Maintained accurate and up-to-date records in the CRM system, ensuring data integrity and facilitating effective follow-up.
• Participated in regular training sessions to stay updated on product knowledge and sales techniques.

How to write a Canadian resume with no experience

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.

Include the key skills that make you a great employee

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.