10 Tips for Writing a Winning Resume for the Canadian Job Market
To make a winning resume that will maximize your chances of getting the job you are looking for, consider the following tips:
- If you are a new Canadian, or a foreign jobseeker, first, make sure you understand what makes a Canadian resume different and make sure your resume conforms to the best practices Canadian employers are accustomed to. This will put you on a more even playing field with other candidates. If your resume is not aligned with normal Canadian resume content and formatting, there is a good chance the recruiter or hiring manager will disqualify your resume at first glance, and therefore will not consider you.
- Tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for by highlighting relevant skills and experiences. Make sure this qualifying information pops out from your resume. Generally, highlighting your most relevant skills, experience and education at the top of the resume will capture the recruiters attention and give them a reason to continue reading.
- Keep the design simple and clean, using clear, legible fonts and bullet points to make the information easy to read.
- Start with a strong objective or summary statement that concisely communicates your value to the employer.
- Be honest yet confident. Make sure any and all of your relevant characteristics, specific experience and the education that supports your belief that you qualify for the position is listed in your resume. If it’s true, say it positively. Don’t play it down. Just remember, if you get to the interview stage, you need to be able to articulate and explain everything listed in your resume.
- Use keywords related to the job description and industry to help your resume get noticed by applicant tracking systems, ATS. These words will resonate with recruiters because they are the words they use. They are a direct match with what they are looking for.
- Focus on results and quantifiable achievements to demonstrate the impact you’ve made in previous roles.
- Keep your resume concise, typically one to two pages in length. The more experience and education you have, the more challenging it will be to fit all of your information onto one or even two pages. If you are new to the job market, have less experience or have had only a few jobs, you should find creating a one or two-page resume easily achievable. If you are a highly experienced professional who has held several positions and has extensive education and accomplishments, you may need more pages. Although some recruiters may disagree, we believe a 3 or 4-page resume is acceptable. The key is to assure you have condensed and summarized as much as you can, and removed all unnecessary information.
- If you have a CV, learn the difference between a CV and a resume and make the required updates. This will likely mean reducing its length significantly.
- Have a professional resume expert review your resume to catch any errors or areas for improvement. Get your resume or CV evaluated for FREE
Remember, a resume is a marketing tool designed to showcase your qualifications and grab the attention of hiring managers, so make it relevant, engaging, and memorable.
Start with getting a FREE Resume Evaluation or get more resume writing help