A strong resume is your first impression with a potential employer. Unfortunately, many Canadian job seekers make avoidable mistakes that send their applications straight to the discard pile. Here are the most common ones and exactly how to fix them.
1. Including a Photo
Unlike some European countries, including a photo on a Canadian resume is not standard practice and may actually hurt your application. Canadian employers typically do not want photos to avoid perceptions of bias. Leave it off.
2. Including Personal Information
Do not include your date of birth, marital status, nationality, or Social Insurance Number on your resume. This information is not appropriate or required in Canada.
3. Using an Objective Statement Instead of a Profile Summary
Objective statements ("I am seeking a challenging role...") are outdated. Replace with a three-to-four line professional profile summary highlighting your key value to the employer.
4. Listing Duties Instead of Accomplishments
"Responsible for managing accounts" tells an employer nothing. "Managed 45 client accounts worth $2.3M annually, achieving 98% retention" tells them everything. Quantify wherever possible.
5. Using One Generic Resume for All Applications
Tailoring your resume to each job posting is essential, especially for ATS. Customize your skills section, profile summary, and even your bullet points to match the language of the specific job posting.
6. Inconsistent Formatting
Inconsistent fonts, bullet styles, spacing, or date formats look unprofessional and suggest poor attention to detail. Pick one format and apply it consistently throughout.
7. Making It Too Long
In Canada, most resumes should be one to two pages. Senior professionals with extensive experience may go to three pages, but longer is rarely better. Recruiters spend an average of six seconds on initial resume review.
8. Leaving Gaps Unexplained
Employment gaps are common and nothing to hide. Address them briefly in a cover letter if they are significant. Some candidates list relevant activities during gaps (volunteering, freelancing, caregiving, education).
9. Not Proofreading
Typos and grammatical errors signal carelessness. Always proofread carefully. Read it aloud. Have someone else review it. Use grammar tools as a secondary check.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Samantha provides resume and career coaching support in Ontario. Sliding-scale fees available.
Learn MoreRelated Resources
- How to Beat ATS Resume Screening in Canada
- LinkedIn Profile Tips for Canada
- Cover Letter Writing Guide
- Careers Hub