As if making the decision to move to a new country isn’t enough change, learning the specifics about creating job search documents can be another challenge. It’s a new and exciting time but perhaps a little confusing too. As you plan your first career move into Canada’s job market, I’d like to share 10 important tips to help you create effective marketing material as a newly landed Canadian.
1. Name game
We use the word “résumé”, (sometimes spelled “resumé” or “resume”). Like the US, the only time we use the term “CV” is for a doctor, professor or scientist. The sole exception to this is with the English speaking population in the Province of Quebec. In Quebec, they use the term “CV” to mean what the rest of Canada and the US would call a “résumé”.
2. Paper size
Like the US, we use Letter Size paper (8 ½ x 11). Make sure you adjust your formatting to coincide with this if your documents were prepared in a country where the page setting was set to A4.
3. Length
Two page résumés are pretty much standard for mid to senior level professionals. Occasionally, a three page résumé is warranted. New grads and career changers should try to keep it to one page in length.
4. Personal information
No personal information such as age, religion, marital status, or political views is used here. In fact, documents that are received by HR personnel containing this information will usually end up being discarded. We don’t even use titles indicating male or female (i.e. Mr. or Mrs.). This is a good time to add that personal photos are used here on résumés. They can be used to disqualify your application if included.
5. Tone
As uncomfortable as it may seem for those new to this country, the tone of the writing in Canada is quite confident. Briefly mention some of your core job responsibilities in the work experience section. Most of the writing should be devoted to accomplishments. Take note that each achievement has to be quantified. Prove everything you say.
To help you with this, here is a weak, unsubstantiated achievement: “Worked on an email server consolidation project.”
Now have a look at the same information with more details and quantifiable points to build value for a potential employer: “Completed a large-scale and complex email server consolidation project. Personally consolidated 12 email servers housing 10000+ users into just 5 mail servers, without compromising service levels. This generated savings of $21K (45%) per month.
6. Content
The career experience is reverse chronological. New grads have their education listed near the beginning of the document whereas seasoned workers have it listed towards the end. And just like the US, we use opening marketing titles (objective), summaries, key word sections, work experience, and technical skills, publications, volunteerism, and professional affiliations.
7. Bilingualism
If you are ESL (English as a Second Language) then you certainly have something to showcase in your documents. It makes sense though to specify what the second language is other than English. Many people here speak French and many others speak other languages. Say “Bilingual English / French” or “Bilingual English / German” in the résumé. We are culturally diverse and so are our languages so please don’t make the reader guess which other language you speak.
8. Hobbies
For the most part, personal interests and hobbies are not a very big deal to the Canadian hiring manager. The exception to this would be a candidate vying for a role in perhaps the education or social services sectors. Devoting space to technology skills or community involvement is by far, a better bet in terms of marketing yourself.
9. Keep the spelling Canadian eh?
Our spelling practices differ from US and the UK/Australia formats. This surprises many people. We use a blend of both US and UK spelling systems. Here is a useful website for your reference which details the differences: http://www3.telus.net/linguisticsissues/BritishCanadianAmerican.htm
(A note about cover letters. It is expected, for the most part, that a cover letter will be submitted with the résumé. There is always a slight chance that some recruiters and decision makers may not look at it but nonetheless, including one is advisable. It should never exceed one page and this is where you can include subjective information you want to share such your eligibility to work in Canada, why you are applying for that role, and what makes you the ideal candidate. It should match the résumé in formatting.)
Proof Read
Remember to proof read all of your documents extensively and then get somebody else to review them. Spelling errors will most likely deter any offers for an interview.
It is completely acceptable (and smart) to apply to places you want to work at even if you do not see a job posting. We call this “cold calling”. Stay ahead of the competition by sending a cover letter and résumé indicating your eagerness to work for a specific company before they advertise.
Hopefully this eases part of the transition to Canada’s job landscape. Stay positive and keep at it until you have been offered an interview. Best of luck!
Written by Audrey Prenzel, CARW, CEIC, B.A., B.Ed. the founder of Résumé Resources, an international career transition firm. She holds numerous roles with Career Directors International including Mentor, Canadian Advisor, Director of International Relations, Military Transition Expert Program Leader, and Aerospace / Defence Program Leader. Audrey is the author of “Military to Civvie Street: The Complete Job Transition Guide for those Leaving the Canadian Air Force, Army & Navy”.
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