🔍 What Canadian Recruiters Look For

Canadian hiring managers often skim resumes in just a few seconds, searching for clear titles, relevant experience, and cultural fit. They’re also checking for Canadian credentials, bilingual skills, or familiarity with local regulations.

ScanMy.CV ensures your resume ticks all these boxes—from format to keyword usage and localization.

✍️ Essential Sections for a Canadian Resume

Canadian resumes are concise and achievement-focused, usually one page for junior roles and two pages max for senior positions.

• 👤 Contact Information

  Include full name, city & province, phone number, professional email, and (optional) LinkedIn. No photo, date of birth, or marital status.

• 🎯 Professional Summary

  A 2–3 sentence overview showcasing your experience, skills, and what you bring to a Canadian employer.

• 🏢 Work Experience

  Reverse-chronological format with employer name, location, position, dates, and bullet points quantifying your results.

• 🎓 Education & Certifications

  Include degrees, diploma programs, and Canadian-equivalent credentials or certification names—especially provincial licensing like Red Seal or CPA.

• 🧠 Skills & Languages

  List both technical and soft skills; highlight bilingualism (English/French) if applicable.

✨ Value-Add Sections for Canadian Employers

These optional sections can strengthen your application and show deeper alignment with Canadian work culture.

• 📜 Industry Certifications

  Include licenses like Red Seal, PMP, CPA, or Canadian safety certifications (e.g., WHMIS, First Aid).

• 🌍 Volunteering & Community Involvement

  Detail relevant volunteer roles—Canada places high value on community engagement.

• 🛠 Projects & Technical Work

  Include academic, community, or freelance projects, especially those with measurable outcomes or Canadian stakeholders.

🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid in Canadian Resumes

• ❌ Unnecessary Personal Info

  Avoid including photo, date of birth, citizenship details or SIN number—these are not required and may raise bias concerns.

• ❌ Overloading with Jargon

  Canada’s job market is diverse. Use clear, relevant industry terms rather than regional or company‑specific acronyms.

• ❌ Ignoring Canada‑specific Keywords

  Jobs often mention “Canadian experience,” bilingualism, or provincial compliance. Omitting those hurts your chances.

⚙️ Formatting Tips for Canadian ATS Compliance

• 🔠 Use Clear Fonts & Layouts

  Stick to Arial or Calibri in 10–12pt. Use one-column design to ensure clean parsing.

• 📑 Use Industry Standard Headings

  Headings like “Work Experience,” “Education,” “Skills” improve ATS recognition.

• 📁 Choose the Right File Format

  Save in .docx or an ATS-friendly PDF—avoid images or unusual formatting.

🎯 Localizing Keywords & Content

Adapt your resume to include Canadian terminology and relevant legislation, such as “WHMIS,” “PMP,” or “client experience in Canada.”

ScanMy.CV helps you identify and integrate location-specific keywords to boost relevance in Canada.