How Do I Create a Canadian Style Resume?

Finding employment in Canada is competitive, but by keeping sight of what Canadian employers are looking for in a resume, the chance of landing that dream job increases exponentially. The format and contents of a Canadian-style resume are a little different than what is common in other countries.

In Canada, a resume is typically short - one page if a person is just out of school or has a brief work history and two pages for those with extensive experience. Volunteer work should be included because donating one's time displays a strong and selfless character, and this looks good to employers.

Because of the sheer amount of resumes most employers receive, the appropriate use of keywords can really make a person stand out in the crowd. When choosing keywords to use, start out by thinking about what words were used in the job-description, and keywords should also be utilized to touch on one's skills, qualifications and character attributes.

Always closely scrutinize your resume before sending it out because putting down the wrong company name or multiple spelling errors will cause a resume to be placed at the bottom of the pile. Be sure to customize each resume for the particular job in an effort to tailor the skills and experience you have for the job you are seeking.

Resumes come in two basic styles: chronological and functional. Chronological resumes are appropriate for those with plenty of relevant work experience, as this is a format used to display all positions held over a period of time. Functional resumes are used to focus on a candidate's skills that were gained in school or at a previous job. Be sure and create your own unique resume and just utilize templates to get an idea for a format. The use of headings organizes a resume and makes it read easier.

There is certain information that needs to be included in a Canadian-style resume. One's name and contact information should be at the top middle or at the left or right corner of the first page, and one's name should also be on the second page in case the pages get separated. Do not to include personal information as employers want to remain impartial. There is no need for a photo or to mention hobbies, references or salary desires, unless it is specifically asked for by an employer. In Canada, work experience from more than ten years past does not need to be listed, and don't use specific dates for previous jobs - just list the years worked.

By following the unique criteria that Canadian employers look for in a resume, it is possible to stand out and make a strong impression. It will not be long until that perfect job is yours.