Sending your CV to Canadian companies: Here’s what you need to know

Date Posted: 2nd October, 2024    Category: Career Advice    Comments: 0

The Canadian job market can present new opportunities to further your career or jump into a new field. However, you can’t simply copy and paste your American resume and cover letter into the job application and hope to land an interview. 
Employers in each market have unique expectations and preferences when it comes to job applications. Canadian employers value brevity and clarity when reviewing a candidate’s documents. 
Here’s what you need to know about writing a CV for Canadian companies.

Why you can’t just copy and paste your resume

If you are accustomed to applying to jobs in the United States, it’s important to reconsider how you compose your CV. Canadian employers tend to favor a concise, clear, and well-organized document that reveals your qualifications without any fluff. Provide the facts and move on to the next section.

Adjusting your CV for Canada also gives you an opportunity to incorporate Canadian spellings and terminology. When writing or speaking in English, Canadians use a blend of British and American styles(1). Tailoring your CV to each job and employer and aligning it with local standards shows that you’ve done your research and are serious about working in the nation. 

What you need to include in your CV

While there’s a bit of flexibility in how you structure your CV, some specific sections are essential. Here’s what you should include:

Personal information

Start with your name and contact information. You may also want to include your LinkedIn profile. You shouldn’t put in personal details like your date of birth, marital status, or a photo unless the employer specifically requests such information. 

Canadian employers are focused on your professional qualifications rather than your personal characteristics. Adding unnecessary personal information could make your CV too long and become a distraction. 

Professional summary

Next, provide a professional summary that outlines your skills and qualifications. Here’s your chance to show what you bring to the table and make a positive impression on the prospective employer. Think of it as a career snapshot. 
Don’t ramble. Canadian companies tend to value brevity and conciseness. Your summary should be about three to four sentences at most. 

Work experience

Next, list your work experience. Use a reverse chronological order, which means listing your current job first. Keep your CV to two pages at most unless you have an extensive amount of work experience that’s relevant to the position you are applying for.

For each position, include the job title, the business name, how long you worked there, the dates you were employed, and a few bullet points showcasing your main responsibilities and accomplishments. Make sure to note any specific results or improvements you contributed to. 

For example, don’t just say, “Managed social media accounts.” Instead, say, “Managed social media accounts and increased follower engagement by 25% through targeted campaigns.” 

Education

Your education section should also follow a reverse chronological order. Include your degree(s), the institution name, and the year you graduated. If you’re a recent graduate with limited experience, you may also want to include relevant coursework, honors, or special projects.

Skills and certifications
List your skills clearly. Focus on talents that are most relevant to the job. If you are applying for a tech role, you might include programming languages, software proficiencies, or relevant certifications. 

Make sure to read the job description and identify any of your skills that align with what the employer wants to see in a candidate. Aligning your CV with the job description can increase your odds of landing an interview. 

Additional sections
You may want to add extra sections like “Volunteer Work,” “Languages,” or “Professional Affiliations.” Use these sections to strengthen your CV if you have limited work experience or have engaged in noteworthy activities in your personal life. Each section offers a glimpse into who you are and the value you can bring to the team. 

Volunteer experience shows you care about the community. Membership in professional groups can make a positive impression on employers and show that you will go above and beyond to be an asset at work. 

Tips for customizing your CV for different Canadian industries
Each industry prioritizes different skills and experiences. Here’s how to customize your CV for various sectors:

Technology and IT
Emphasize technical skills like programming languages or software development. Provide examples of how you’ve implemented technology solutions to solve problems. 

Healthcare
Mention any relevant certifications or experience with patient care. Demonstrate empathy and a strong track record of teamwork to set yourself apart. 

Marketing and sales
Sales and marketing professionals prioritize results. Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Discuss how you’ve increased sales or generated measurable results for your current employer. Make sure to mention important soft skills, such as communication and leadership. 

Engineering
Focus on technical skills and any experience with Canadian building codes or regulations. Be specific about your role in project management, design, or problem-solving within engineering contexts. 

What Canadian employers value
Canadian employers don’t want to wade through a lengthy CV. They will probably skim your application either way. If you pack your CV with fluff, there’s a good chance they may overlook the most important details about your professional experience.

Your CV should be short and sweet. Show the reader that you can adapt to fast-paced work environments and are willing to take on new challenges. Think about times when you’ve picked up new skills quickly or adjusted to major changes. Share stories or examples to help drive home your point. For more tips on how to write a CV for Canadian companies, check out the resources on Jobseeker. 

Make your job application stand out
Take a moment to tailor your CV to each job you’re going after. Read the description for each position and make note of what the hiring team wants to see in a good candidate. Respectfully incorporate Canadian verbiage into your content to show that you are willing to learn and adapt to the nation’s proud culture. 

References:
(1) LinkedIn, October 27, 2023: Beyond British and American: The World of Canadian English