Resumé writing Tips for the Canadian Job Market...
Guys/gals, Take this seriously and start building your CVs - or should I say RESUME, the CANADIAN Way!!
Basic Tips
Canadians use Resumés instead of CVs; and prefer computerised applications. The application process is much more commercial and as most employers will read resumes on the computer the resumé should fit a specific template and if it does not then it risks being rejected without a viewing.
Once the filter has 'found' your resumé, it might be read by a person who is not knowledgeable of the vacancy you are applying for - so it should be written to [1]sell yourself to almost any audience while at the same time being relevant to your target employer! [2]Bullet point words such as Contributed, Managed, Organized, Developed etc. at the start of a sentence for maximum impact.
The format for the Canadian Resumé is similar to the Chronological CV with the [3]length generally being 2 sides of A4. Your [4]name and contact details would be at the top centre followed by your [5]career history and work experience in reverse chronological order with the most recent job detailed first.
Mention whether your work was [6]full or part time and explain any gaps in your employment history. Within this provide [7]examples of your achievements and details of how you added "value" to your past/current employers/organization/company.
Following career history is your [8]educational history with a list of colleges and universities, date and qualifications obtained etc. Mentioning [9]foreign travel, language and computer skills is advantageous.
Finally close with [10]"References available on request" or on a separate page list up to 3 referee's with their contact information. Ensure before submitting your resume that you have checked that your contact details for referees are up to date and still current.
Types of Resumé
In general, Canadian employers look for an emphasis on experience and skills on a resume. This can be different from other places - which may put more emphasis on education or qualifications.
Your resumé should make it easy for an employer to see what skills you have, and exactly how those skills fit the job they are advertising. There are two (2) common types of resumé that you can use. Both have strengths and weaknesses.
A. Skills Based Resumé
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A Skills based resumé emphasizes your skills rather than your experience or your education. The first and most noticeable section of a skills based resumé should be a brief outline of the skills you have, where you applied them before, and how you feel they can help you contribute to a job.
When to use it
Skills based resumés are best for job hunters without a lot of experience. This is a common form of resumé for new graduates entering the job market for the first time and "newcomers" to Canada who may not have North American work experience. Skills based resumés are best used for jobs that require cross-applicable skills. E.g., a job hunter who has good writing skills can apply those skills in a variety of different jobs.
Upsides
A good skills based resumé clearly demonstrates how your skills fit the job you are looking for, even if you have never worked in your field before. Newcomers can use skills based resumé to show how their overseas experience is relevant to the Canadian employment market.
Downsides
Skills based resumé can underplay or hide qualifications that an employer may be looking for, especially in technical fields like engineering. If you use a skills based resumé, be sure that you still mention your professional qualifications.
B. Chronological Resumé
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A chronological resumé lists your education and work experience in reverse order, from your latest job to your earliest. This is probably the most common type of Resumé used here [Canada] - and explained in detail in the earlier part of this thread.
A good chronological resumé is more than just a list of jobs and education, it should briefly outline the skills you learned and the contributions you made at each stage. Employers want to know that you learned from your experience and have made positive contribution/s in your career.
When to use it
Chronological resumés are often used by people with lots of experience in their field. People with heavy work experience can point to their past history of success. Employers like to see a track-record of success. Chronological resumés are common in technical and regulated professions, viz. Engineering, Accounting, Medical etc. 'coz they demonstrate a solid history of work experience to a potential employer. They also make it easy for employers to see our qualifications, certifications & licenses.
Upsides
A chronological resumé can be a great way to draw attention to our professional qualifications, education and work history.
Downsides
Many chronological resumés make the mistake of only showing work history, not an explanation of skills and experience gained from that experience. Chronological resumés with lots of experience from outside Canada, or outside North America, may not be easy for an employer here [in Canada] to understand.
Note: Nonetheless, Chronological Resumé is yet our best bet to showcase our strengths - especially for newcomers with wide ranging experience/s - basically for senior level immigrants.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW
As most of us are going to hit the 'Survival' job market initially - our first few resumés should rather be Skills Based - at least for the 1st few months, till we reach the Intermediate Stage [pls read my other thread on "How to Succeed in the Canadian Job Market"]. It'd be wise to keep ready both sets of the resumés - one for the starter jobs, while the other for our 'coveted' jobs. And posting the chronological ones intermittently to select few prospective employers [not at mass level].
Cover Letter
The importance of a cover letter cannot be enough emphasized... it must accompany your resumé. The cover letter acts as an introduction, telling the employer you are interested in working for their company.
If you can, take time to write an individualized cover letter for each resumé you send. Learn about the company and the job that you are seeking. Then you can tell the employer why you are the right person to work there.
Avoid the use of the word “I” too much. You want to boast a bit, but not too much. You might instead use some “power words” - such as Innovation, Advanced, Professional, Proven, Inspired, Introduced, Directed, Launched and Delivered. These words help catch the attention of an employer.
• In the cover letter you should clearly state the job that you are seeking.
• It should include a reference on how your skills match what the employer is looking for.
• Your letter should look professional but friendly. It should be no more than one page.
• It should contain no spelling, grammar or punctuation errors. Have someone check it for you.
• It should show the employer that your communication skills are strong.
• It should contain a brief statement about your skills and experience, but don't go into detail - it'd be there in the resume.
• Avoid clichés - the kinds of things that everybody says. Just use your own words and try your personality to shine through!
Networking to increase Opportunities
The buzzword of this millennia is NETWORKING. It had never been as important as it is now. Today, not just a job, probably networking helps us with every facet of our life... it's a necessity nowadays. Besides, being thus far away from our homeland - our relatives/friends - it is the newer relationships that we nurture here - that'd assist us when in need - actually friends here would eventually get to become/replace our relatives! Check that with a guy here, in Canada, who had really been in trouble!!!
It's the one very good way to also find a job - building relationships can notify you of vacancies. As stated time-n-again on the forums, many jobs in Canada aren't advertised. They are part of what is called the “hidden job market”. News of these jobs is communicated just by people talking to each other. Even the nuances of these openings - who'd take interview, his/her nature, what to expect, what to talk, what to write/portray, how much is in offer, what to ask etc. would be communicated as word-of-mouth.
That is why it is important to network - to meet and interact with as many people as you can. As you increase the number of people you know, you increase the chance of hearing about jobs that may not be advertised.
You can network by meeting and talking to teachers, counsellors, neighbours, people in your place of worship or at the school or sports centre where your children go. You can network at social occasions such as parties or weddings, or you can network by joining business organizations or community clubs or social groups. And you can network by making friends! Break-the-ice wherever you can, buddies!
Tip
Networking is a way to make friends and business connections - not to ask people to give you a job. If you do that - your new contacts may grow uncomfortable and not want to meet you at all. Ask new contacts instead about the type of work they do. Tell them that your are a newcomer, had been doing such-n-such in your erstwhile country - have these skills & now looking forward to utilizing those here. Never, ever ask for jobs!
Remember: You'll also find that networking will build other skills. You will be able to practice your language skills, you'll get to know about the city, the way things work here, about places of interest [sometimes - many times, googling won't come-up with those], learn more about the Canadian culture, you'd meet "like-minded" acquaintances - they'd go on to become your great friends -- and your self confidence will increase.
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Standard Resume Format
- Standard Font Size:.....12 pt (no less than 11pt)
- Standard Font Type:....Traditional: Times New Roman; Contemporary: Verdana; Scanable: Arial
- Section Headings:.......Paper: Bold; Scanable: ALL CAPITALS
- Page Margins:............One Inch
- Paper:......................White with black ink. Use 8.5x11 paper (weight of 24 to 28 pounds).
- Printer:.....................Print on quality printer, preferably on a Laser Printer.
- Delivery:...................Mail or deliver flat using 9x12 envelopes (do not staple, in case it might be Scanned).
- Quality Note:.............Every resume should be an "original" (do not send photo copies).
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Why the Canadian Resumé got to be different, is it a hype?
Most International Resumés contain private and personal information that goes against Anti-Discrimination laws in both Canada and the U.S. If any of them, including the photos, are included in an existing resumé, it may be overlooked by the hiring Manager or Human Resource Specialist, losing the opportunity to be selected for an interview.
Recap: Canadian job market looks for a resumé format (word), size (3 pages only - including cover letter), language (Canadian English), style (bulleted, indented, textual), content (objective, education and professional background, skills - soft and hard, etc., etc.).
There are some differences within Canada itself with regard to job search. In English-speaking Canada you have to actively market yourself but in the French part of Canada it is more formal. But, a different type of resumé sure is needed here. Thus, we cannot overlook modifying our CVs into a Canadian styled Resumé... and it's not a hype.
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Some "Fast-Tips" for preparing our Canadian Resumé
1/ Begin as soon as you can to collect references.
Trying to get these from your country of origin may take time.
2/ Print your resume on high-quality white paper.
Use the same paper for your cover letter and if possible use a laser printer.
3/ Do not include personal information such as age, marital status or religion.
You also do not have to mention your country of origin or ethnicity,
although it may be clear by your education and work record.
4/ Do not include a photograph of yourself.
There's just no need of that in Canada - at least for the time being!
5/ Have an employment counsellor review your resume with you
and have someone check it carefully for spelling and typos.
6/ Always tell the truth.
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Conclusion
Canada provides assistance for jobseekers in the form of free workshops at almost all "Neighborhood Welcome Centres", which help anyone seeking employment with writing resumés, interview skills and job search.
There are lots of online Canadian job search sites that have resumé templates you can use, as well as marketing you towards your target employer. Some of them are as below:
1. David Cohen's Tips: Our own CanadaVisa website itself has some nice tips to offer...
http://www.canadavisa.com/canadian-employment-resume.html
2. Grand Resumé: Nice exhaustive info here. At right side -in the end, there is a box on "Writing tips" check that...
http://grandresume.com/blog/resume-writing/how-to-write-a-canadian-resume
3. A Technical Resumé: Here u'll also find some of Engineers resumés...
http://www.careerowlresources.ca/Resumes/Res_Frame.htm?res_power.htm~right
4. Resumé writing Tips: Some good pointers from settlement.org...
http://www.settlement.org/sys/faqs_detail.asp?faq_id=4001064
5. Sample Resumé: Some good varied profile resumés are here...
http://canadian-resume-service.com/resume-examples.asp
6. Resume Disasters: What we shouldn't do...
http://www.resumedoctor.com/WorstResumes.asp
Information sourced from online resources and old forum members
Hope that helped...
