The plainest possible structure: bold name, one contact line, ruled section headings.
One column · IBM Plex SansCanadian resume format and template
Canadian employers usually expect a resume in a format close to the US one: Letter size paper, no photo, no personal details and a clear list of results, most recent job first. Start from a template below and the editor uses North American settings.
At a glance
- Usually called
- Resume
- Length
- One to two pages
- Paper
- US Letter
- Photo
- Usually left out
- Personal details
- Leave out age, date of birth, marital status, nationality and your SIN
- References
- Usually given when asked, not on the resume
Common practice, not fixed rules. Employers differ, so follow the job ad when it asks for something specific.
Sections to include, in order
- Contact details. Name, phone, email, city and province, and a LinkedIn link.
- Summary. Two to four lines on your experience and the role you want.
- Experience. Most recent first, with results and numbers where you have them.
- Education. Degree or diploma, school and year. Note if a foreign credential has been assessed, if that applies to you.
- Skills and languages. Tools and methods from the job ad. English and French levels are worth stating clearly.
- Optional sections. Certifications, volunteering and projects.
Tips
- Canadian spelling mixes British and American forms (colour, centre, but organize). Follow the job ad.
- For roles in Quebec, check whether the employer expects a resume in French.
- Volunteer work is often valued, especially for newcomers building Canadian experience.
- Match the job title and key skills in the ad with your own words, where they are true.
Example experience points
Managed a $2.4M annual budget across three regional offices.
Introduced a shared scheduling tool that cut overtime hours by 18% in the first year.
Templates that suit this format
Use template starts with United States & Canada settings: US Letter paper and no photo. You can change them in the editor at any time.
Contemporary sans-serif type, a restrained accent color and headings in a slim left column.
One column, headings in a left column · IBM Plex SansA conservative single column in serif type. One reading order with standard section headings.
One column · Source Serif 4A friendly, open version of the standard structure with teal headings.
One column · Nunito SansGenerous whitespace and a quiet hierarchy that lets your experience speak for itself.
One column · Nunito SansA dense, tidy single column with contact details aligned right and ruled headings.
One column, contact details on the right · Nunito SansQuestions
Is a Canadian resume different from a US resume?
Very little. Both use Letter paper, no photo and no personal details. Spelling and the place of French are the main differences.
Should I include a photo on a Canadian resume?
Usually not. Most employers prefer resumes without photos to keep hiring focused on skills and experience.
How long should a Canadian resume be?
One page early in your career, two pages with more experience. Longer is rarely needed outside academic and medical roles.
Already have a resume?
Upload it to the free ATS checker to see how it reads, then open it in the editor to change the format.