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Preparing for a Job Interview
Writing a Canadian-Style Resume

Working PREPARE FOR EMPLOYMENT Writing a Canadian-Style Resume

Writing a Canadian-Style Resume

For more information on preparing for a job interview, please contact one of the employment service agencies in Leeds & Grenville:

Having a professional, up-to-date resume is important to obtain employment in Canada. A resume is a summary of your work and volunteer experience, education, and skills. Usually it will be one or two pages in length. Employers will use your resume to help them decide whether or not they want to interview you as a potential employee.

Your resume should be organized, visually appealing and free of errors. You should include the following information on your resume:

  1. Name, phone number, email address and mailing address: If you do not have a mailing address in Canada when you are applying for a position, you do not have to include this information on your resume. Include your phone number and email address so your potential employer can contact you. Do not include a photograph or any other personal information.  This includes information such as marital status, number of children you have, religious affiliation etc.
  2. Work experience: Employers are looking for your relevant work experience. It is important to include the proper name of previous companies, where the business was located, the title of the job that you had and a brief description of the position.
  3. Volunteer experience: Volunteering is a highly valued practice in Canadian society.  Include the title of the volunteer position that you held, the proper name of the organization, and where it was located.
  4. Skills & Achievements: You should update the skills section of your resume for each job you are applying for because different jobs will require different skills. It is important to show the employer you have a suitable skill set for the available job. Include any special achievement or recognition that you received in either volunteer or paid employment roles.
  5. References: References are people who can confirm your identity and verify you are a qualified candidate for a job. They can include former employers, volunteer leaders, or teachers and professors. You must get permission from your references before listing them on your resume and inform them that someone may be contacting them about you. Include their title or position, phone number and email address.

InMyLanguage provides more information on creating a resume and other job search skills. All information is available in 12 different languages.