How different are US and Canadian resumes?

If you’re a job seeker who’s open to employment outside the United States, you only need to look north to find the opportunities you’re seeking. Many job sectors within Canada are experiencing labor shortages – including industries like healthcare, science and technology, and the trades.

Of course, if you intend to pursue a job in any of those in-demand industries, it’s important to consider the differences in US vs. Canadian resumes.

In this article, we’ll examine US vs. Canadian resumes and discuss their similarities and differences. We’ll also provide some basic tips that you can use to create a Canadian resume that delivers the right message to prospective employers.

US vs. Canadian resumes are similar in many respects

Before we examine any differences between the US and Canadian resumes, it’s important to note their similarities. Across the world, there are two main types of job search documents:

The resume
The CV, or curriculum vitae

The former is the standard job search document used in the United States, Canada, and Australia, while the latter is used in most other countries worldwide.

Resumes are typically two-page documents that include employment information like:

Contact details
Resume headline
Resume summary
Core competencies, or skills
Professional experience
Education
Optional sections, as needed

This structure is commonly used for both American and Canadian resumes. In addition, job seekers in both countries typically rely on a reverse-chronological resume format to organize their professional experience and education information.

The international CV is a much longer document that includes a host of background information – including some personal details that can conflict with US and Canadian laws against employment discrimination. As a result, the structure and overall length of a CV is much different than the traditional resume used in the US and Canada:

Contact information
Professional summary
Educational qualifications
Other training
Core competencies
Language proficiencies
Technical knowledge (software_
Work experience
Notable achievements
Accolades and awards
Declaration that the CV information is true
References

US vs. Canadian resume: how they differ

When comparing the standard US vs Canadian resume, the first thing you’ll notice is that they’re both remarkably similar to one another. However, it’s important to recognize that there are some subtle differences between them as well. For example:

Dates

While the US resume uses the Month, Day, Year format, Canadian resumes list dates in a different way: Year, Month, Day. It’s a small difference, but one that you’ll need to pay attention to if you don’t want your resume to stand out for the wrong reasons.

Measurements

Unlike the U.S., Canada relies on the metric system for its measurements of weight, length, distance, volume, and temperature. Make sure that you convert any measurements in your resume into metric units so that Canadian hiring managers can easily comprehend your meaning.

Language

Canadian English is comparable to US English in its spoken form. Still, the written language can differ in spelling. You should always proofread your resume to ensure that you’re using the right Canadian spelling for words like:

“Cheque” instead of “check”
“Centre” instead of “center”
“Co-author” instead of “coauthor”
“Counselled” instead of “counseled”
“Counsellor” instead of “counselor”
“Favourite” instead of “favorite”
“Theatre” instead of “theatre”

If you’re uncertain about how any Canadian word might be spelled, don’t be afraid to double-check the spelling by searching for help on the internet. Getting those little things correct can go a long way toward helping you make the right impression on prospective employers.

Graphics

As a rule, most job seekers in the United States don’t include graphics of any kind in their resumes – unless they’re seeking a role in the creative professions. For example, a graphic designer might include some graphic elements in their resume to showcase their creative skills.

When creating a Canadian resume, you should resist the temptation to include those elements and instead stick to simple text, well-organized structures, and strategically placed bullet points.

How to write a Canadian resume

While it’s important to understand the differences between a US vs Canadian resume, you’ll also need to know how to craft them. Fortunately, we’ve provided a whole host of resources on this site to help you with just about anything you need to know for a US resume. For the purposes of this guide, we’ll focus our attention on tips that can help you create that Canadian version.

Related reading: How To Make Your Resume Stand Out in 2024

Choosing your format

Job seekers in Canada have the same three resume formats available to them as their American counterparts:

Reverse chronological
Functional
Hybrid

Most candidates opt for the reverse chronological format, since it’s preferred by employers and offers a simple and effective way to highlight your skills, experiences, and achievements. It’s also the best option for getting your resume past any applicant tracking systems employers may be using to screen for qualifications.

To use this format option in your Canadian resume, organize your work history in reverse chronological order. Start with the most recent position and work backward chronologically to your oldest relevant job. That will help employers identify your current skill set and recent achievements as they evaluate your potential value as an employee.

Creating your contact section

Once you’ve selected your resume format, you can start creating a structure that will help to organize your information. Begin with the contact section at the top of the page. This section should include your name, location, phone number, email, and professional LinkedIn URL. These details are vital if you want employers to be able to quickly contact you with interview opportunities and job offers.

Crafting a resume headline

It’s also helpful to include a dynamic resume headline to catch the employer’s attention. For this single line of text, you should include the job title you’re seeking – and some additional language that highlights your unique value. For example, if you’re applying for a role as a Marketing Director, you could use a headline like “Experienced Marketing Director and Brand Development Expert.”

Related reading: 30+ Resume Headline Examples (2024 Update)

Writing a resume summary

Add a resume summary right below your headline. This summary should provide a snapshot overview of your experience, skills, and achievements and serve as an elevator pitch to prospective employers. Include your years of experience, job role, skills, and one or two quantifiable achievements that use real numbers to demonstrate value. For example:

Dynamic Marketing Director with eight years of experience in campaign development, branding, and successful market expansion. Skilled team leader, negotiator, strategic planner, and client management expert. Developed and executed ABC Corp. rebranding campaign, increasing online customer engagement by 300%, boosting revenues by 49% in one year, and enhancing client retention by 82%.

Related reading: Understanding and Creating a Resume Profile

Listing your core competencies

Your core competencies section should include twelve to fifteen of your most relevant hard and soft skills. This list should always include skill keywords from the job posting and description so that the ATS screen finds the qualifications it’s looking for during its scan. In addition to those required skills, you should also include some key interpersonal skills that employers are likely to prioritize. Use bullet points for this section of your resume and format the entire section into two or three columns.

Drafting your work experience section

The work experience section of your resume will also be similar to the US resume format. For each position that you include, add the job title, employer name, and dates of employment – using the proper Canadian formatting for the dates. Below each of those listings, add four to six achievement statements in bullet point form. When possible, include real numbers to quantify those qualifications by demonstrating value. For example:

Trained and led sales teams that boosted company sales revenue by 80% YoY
Negotiated twelve major client contracts that doubled profits over a three-quarter period
Implemented new training program that reduced salesperson onboarding time by 32%

Providing educational qualifications

Like most US resumes, the Canadian resume typically includes educational details at the bottom of the document, after the other main sections. Newcomers to the workforce, including recent graduates, often move this section closer to the top of the resume – especially when they have little or no experience.

To complete this section, simply list the degree you earned, the name of the college, and your graduation date if you graduated within the last several years.

Related reading: How to List Education on Your Resume (+Examples)

US vs Canadian resumes: learn the differences and optimize your job search!

When it comes to US vs Canadian resumes, there are no real major differences other than date formatting and the spelling of certain words. Still, being aware of these differences can help you to create a Canadian resume that gets the right kind of attention from prospective employers. Good luck with your job search!

Need help understanding the differences between US vs Canadian resumes or require some assistance to ensure that your resume is as compelling as possible? Get a free resume review today and let our experts provide the help you need.

US vs. Canadian Resumes: Key Differences