Overview
In Canada, CVs and resumes are both used. A resume (1-2 pages) is the most common format for most jobs, while a CV (longer, academic/professional format) is used in academic, medical, and research roles. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Key Canadian practices include omitting photos, age, marital status, and national origin from job application CVs to comply with human rights legislation.
Key CV Guidance
Including a photo on a CV or resume is not standard practice in Canada and may raise human rights concerns under provincial and federal human rights codes. Employers are generally not required to consider applications with photos differently, but including one could inadvertently expose both applicant and employer to potential bias issues. For most purposes, omit the photo.
Including date of birth on a Canadian CV or resume is not recommended and could constitute a ground for discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act and provincial human rights codes. Employers should not request this information.
Marital status is a protected ground under Canadian human rights legislation. It is not standard practice to include it on a CV or resume, and doing so is generally discouraged.
Nationality or ethnic origin should not be included on a Canadian CV. Work authorization status (e.g., "Eligible to work in Canada" or "Canadian citizen") may be noted if relevant.
Length & Formatting
A resume for most job applications should be 1-2 pages. Experienced professionals may use 2-3 pages. Academic CVs (curriculum vitae) can be longer and include publications, research, grants, and conference presentations.
Clean, professional formatting is preferred. Avoid excessive colours, graphics, or unusual fonts. Use consistent spacing and alignment. Save as PDF to preserve formatting unless the employer requests Word format.
ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) are widely used by Canadian employers, especially larger organizations. Use standard section headings, avoid tables and graphics for text-critical content, and include keywords from the job posting.
Work Experience & Education
List work experience in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Use bullet points for responsibilities and achievements. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Increased sales by 25%"). Action verbs are recommended.
Include degree, institution, city/province, and graduation year. Recent graduates may place education before work experience. Professional development and certifications are valued.
Skills sections are common. Technical skills, language proficiency (English and/or French), and software tools are relevant. Match skills to job description keywords for ATS optimization.
Key Differences — Canada CV
- No photo — standard practice
- No date of birth or marital status
- Resume (1-2 pages) vs. CV (academic, longer)
- Both English and French may be relevant depending on province
- Work authorization note may be useful
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Including a photo
- Including date of birth or SIN (Social Insurance Number)
- Making the resume too long for non-academic roles
- Not quantifying achievements
- Using generic objective statements instead of a professional summary
Official Sources
This guidance is based on general Canadian practices and publicly available information. CV requirements vary by employer, industry, and province. Always check the specific requirements of your target employer or immigration program.
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