In this article we tell you how to write a resume for employers in Canada đź’Ľ: examples and samples, requirements, useful tips.
Most often, immigration to Canada is carried out through programs for skilled workers. And even if according to others, most immigrants will still have to look for work in this state.
If you don’t have any acquaintances or connections, you will need to send your resume to all sorts of Canadian companies. To increase your chances of success, you need to create a high-quality resume that will interest an employer or HR manager.
To increase the likelihood of receiving an invitation to an interview, we recommend sending a cover letter along with your resume .
We have created a rating of in-demand professions in Canada , which we will update daily.
Why you need to look for work in Canada:
- to work and receive money after successful immigration;
- to get a job offer that:
- increases CRS points in the Express Entry system and, accordingly, chances of success;
- required for certain federal and provincial programs;
- to travel to Canada on a work visa, and after obtaining the necessary work experience, begin the immigration process.
A well-written resume will also be useful when attending provincial information sessions.
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Resume examples
Previously, the official website of the Government of Canada contained links to resume examples that are relevant in different cases. Now they are gone, however, the files remain. There are 3 types:
- Functional résumé for those who do not have much experience. The emphasis is on skills. Download a template or example ;
- Chronological résumé for those with sufficient experience to reflect it and the duties performed. Download a template or example ;
- Hybrid résumé combines the two types described above. Download a template or example .
You can also check out resume examples on the popular Canadian job search site monster.ca .
View a sample resume for a job search in Canada as a truck driver.
Basic recommendations for drawing up
A high-quality resume contains information that shows that you are a qualified specialist and that the company is suitable for the required position. It must be properly structured and concise (no more than 2 pages).
We recommend that you carefully study the vacancy, highlight the main key phrases that are most often repeated, and then implement them in your resume.
We are talking about the name of the specialty, job responsibilities, etc. You need to show on your resume that you have successful experience doing this particular job. So you don’t need to write about your entire career. Please provide information that is relevant to the vacancy.
For each vacancy, create a new resume so that there are key phrases that are relevant specifically for this profession.
You shouldn’t get fancy with the formatting or try to make your resume attractive in appearance. This is due to the fact that in many companies such files are first checked by computer programs. Their goal is to scan information and then filter the most suitable resume files using keywords related to the vacancy.
If you have a non-standard font, tables, any graphic elements, etc., this may have a bad effect on text recognition. Therefore, we use standard Arial or Times New Roman, plain text and numbered/bulleted lists.
Tips from the official website – what needs to be indicated and what not
The Job Bank website has useful guidelines for drafting this document.
What should a resume be like?
- Clear and precise.
According to statistics, on average it takes an employer 30 seconds to evaluate a resume. This means that in some cases even less. Therefore, please include all the important information about your qualifications required by this vacancy at the top of the page.
- Correct and without errors.
Eliminate errors in the text, as they may negatively affect the employer’s favor. Give it to friends or relatives to read so that they can evaluate it from the outside.
- Up to two pages.
Provide only relevant information about your work experience. If one of your former professions is in no way related to the specialty of the vacancy, then simply do not write about it.
- With achievements.
Ideally, indicate not only that you worked in the desired profession, but also achieved certain success in it. Give some of the most striking examples.
- With achievements in numbers.
If this is relevant, then indicate the positive results of your work in numbers. For example, how much did you manage to increase the number of sales, how many people were at your disposal, how many successful projects did you complete, etc.
- Honest.
You shouldn’t write about what you haven’t done and what you can’t do. This will not lead to anything good, but will only waste your time.
- Clear and convincing.
Not in all cases your resume will fall into the hands of the employer. They are often checked by managers who may not be familiar with the terms and features of the profession. Therefore, write in clear language using “persuasive verbs”: handled, managed, led, developed, increased, accomplished, leveraged, etc.
- Contain contact information.
Indicate your name, address, email (not in the Russian zone like yandex / mail / rambler, but better, gmail / yahoo) and phone number.
What a resume should not contain
- Inappropriate email address.
Your email should be simple, without strange symbols or words. The best option is a variation of the first and last name.
- Extra personal information.
If this is not a profession for which 100% additional information is needed, then do not indicate: weight, height, political views, religion, etc. Also, do not attach a photo; this is not the norm in Canada, as in some other countries.
- Long lists.
A numbered/bulleted list should consist of 5-7 items. All this simplifies the readability and, accordingly, the speed of processing of your resume, which is very important.
- Personal pronouns.
There is no need for me, my, me. My main goal = main goal. I can implement = ability to implement. I am currently a = position at my current job.
- Standard common phrases.
For example: “I get along well with colleagues”, “responsible”, “punctual”, etc. Write only real personal qualities that are relevant for this profession.
- Information about the reasons for leaving previous places.
There is no need to write anything about it at all. Your message should be positive and light, showing you in the best light.
- A hobby not related to the job.
You shouldn’t list what you like to do in your free time unless it’s related to your potential job.
Conclusion
Your resume should be well structured and contain only information that is relevant to the profession specified in the vacancy. The goal is not to show what a good and hardworking person you are, but what an ideal candidate for this position. That you will definitely cope with all responsibilities.
If you have questions or want us or other site users to evaluate your resume, write in the comments, we will be happy to help!