How to write a Canadian resume (with what to leave out)
Updated
A Canadian resume is short, focused on results, and free of personal details. Employers and their applicant tracking systems scan it in seconds, so structure matters as much as content.
Keep it to one or two pages
One page is enough for students and people early in their careers. Two pages is normal for experienced candidates. Longer resumes are rarely read in full.
Leave out personal details
Canadian human rights law limits what employers can ask, so most expect resumes without personal information. Leave these out:
- Photo
- Date of birth or age
- Marital status, children or religion
- Social Insurance Number (SIN) — give it only after you accept an offer
- Full home address (city and province are enough)
Use a clear, scannable structure
- Name, phone, email, city and province, and a LinkedIn or portfolio link
- A two- or three-line summary tailored to the job
- Work experience in reverse order, with dates as month and year
- Three to five bullet points per role that start with an action verb and show a result
- Education, certifications and licences
- Skills, including languages (say so if you are bilingual in English and French)
Match the job posting
Many employers use applicant tracking systems that look for the skills and titles in the posting. Mirror the posting’s wording where it is true for you, and use a simple layout without tables, text boxes or images so the system can read it.
Show results with numbers
“Served 120 customers a shift with a 98% satisfaction score” says more than “provided customer service”. Numbers, percentages and dollar amounts make achievements concrete.
Canadian experience and credentials
If your experience is from outside Canada, describe the employer and its size briefly, and explain foreign credentials or name their Canadian equivalent if you have had them assessed. Regulated jobs such as nursing, engineering or teaching need a provincial licence; mention yours or the status of your application.
Common questions
Should I put a photo on my resume in Canada?
No. Canadian employers generally do not expect photos, and leaving one out helps avoid bias in hiring.
How long should a Canadian resume be?
One page early in your career, two pages for experienced candidates.
Do I need a cover letter?
If the posting asks for one, yes. Otherwise a short, specific cover letter can still help for competitive roles.
Should I include references?
No. Have two or three ready, and share them when the employer asks, usually near the end of the process.