How to write a résumé for Canada
Employers in Canada usually expect a résumé on US Letter paper, most recent experience first. Length: 2 pages is usual; 1 for students and new graduates. Employers there usually leave out a photo, date of birth and marital status. If you are not a citizen, your right to work or visa status is usually stated.
Build a résumé for CanadaYour first CV is free. The builder applies these rules and checks your CV before you download it.
At a glance
| What it is called | Résumé |
|---|---|
| Length | 2 pages is usual; 1 for students and new graduates |
| Paper size | US Letter |
| Layout | Compact single column |
| Order | Most recent first |
| Dates | Month and year (e.g. Mar 2023) |
| Photo | Usually left out |
| Date of birth | Usually left out |
| Nationality | Usually left out |
| Marital status | Usually left out |
| Right to work / visa status | Usually included |
| References | Leave referees off the CV; have a list ready |
| Explain gaps longer than | 6 months |
Key facts
- Ontario Human Rights Commission guidance says job application forms should not ask for age or date of birth (other than whether the applicant is 18 or over) or marital status. Source: ohrc.on.ca
- Ontario Human Rights Commission guidance says employers should not request photos of potential employees. Source: ohrc.on.ca
- The Canadian Human Rights Act lists race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics and disability as prohibited grounds of discrimination. Source: laws-lois.justice.gc.ca
Facts checked 2026-10-15.
How Canada compares with nearby countries
Unlike the United States, CVs in Canada are written in English.
Unlike the Bahamas, CVs in Canada leave the photo out, leave out the date of birth and leave referees off.
Unlike Cuba, CVs in Canada leave the photo out, leave out the date of birth and use US Letter paper.
| Country | Called | Photo | Date of birth | Length | Paper | Usual language |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | Résumé | Usually left out | Usually left out | 1–2 pages | Letter | English |
| United States | Résumé | Usually left out | Usually left out | 1–2 pages | Letter | US English |
| Bahamas | Curriculum Vitae | Optional | Optional | 2 pages | Letter | English |
| Cuba | Currículum Vitae | Usually included | Usually included | 1–2 pages | A4 | Spanish |
| Haiti | Curriculum Vitae | Optional | Optional | 2 pages | A4 | French |
Tips for Canada
- No photo, age or marital status: provincial human-rights codes discourage employers from asking.
- Newcomers: state your status (citizen, permanent resident, open work permit) since it affects hiring.
- Quantify achievements and use Canadian spelling (“centre”, “licence”).
- Québec employers usually expect a French CV; use the French headings.
Canada follows the conventions in the Canada guide.
Regulated jobs in Canada
For these jobs, put your registration or licence near the top of the résumé, or say that your application is in progress.
| Profession | Registration or licence |
|---|---|
| Doctors | Provincial College of Physicians and Surgeons licence; MCCQE Part I and LMCC (Part II ended in 2021) |
| Nurses | Provincial nursing regulator registration (e.g. CNO, BCCNM); NCLEX-RN |
| Midwives | Provincial College of Midwives registration |
| Dentists | Provincial dental regulator licence (NDEB certification) |
| Pharmacists | Provincial College of Pharmacists licence (PEBC) |
| Pharmacy technicians | Provincial registration as pharmacy technician |
| Allied health professionals | Provincial college registration |
| Paramedics | Provincial paramedic registration |
| Psychologists | Provincial College of Psychologists registration |
| Optometrists | Provincial College of Optometrists registration |
| Veterinarians | Provincial veterinary licence (NEB / CVMA) |
| Care workers | Vulnerable sector check; PSW certificate |
| Childcare workers | Vulnerable sector check; ECE registration |
| Teachers | Provincial teaching certificate (e.g. Ontario College of Teachers) |
| Engineers | P.Eng licence with a provincial association (e.g. PEO, APEGA, EGBC) |
| Architects | Provincial association licence (e.g. OAA, AIBC) |
| Electricians | Provincial certificate of qualification / Red Seal |
| Plumbers | Red Seal / provincial certificate |
| HVAC technicians | Provincial refrigeration certificate / ODP card |
| Professional drivers | Class 1 / AZ licence |
| Forklift operators | Forklift operator certificate |
| Pilots | Transport Canada licence |
| Accountants | CPA (Canada) designation |
| Financial advisers | Provincial securities registration / CFP |
| Lawyers | Provincial law society licence |
| Social workers | Provincial college of social workers registration |
| Security officers | Provincial security guard licence |
Guides by job
- Doctor résumé for Canada
- Nurse résumé for Canada
- Dentist résumé for Canada
- Pharmacist résumé for Canada
- Allied health résumé for Canada
- Teacher résumé for Canada
- Engineer résumé for Canada
- Lawyer résumé for Canada
- Accountant résumé for Canada
- Electrician and trades résumé for Canada
- Care worker résumé for Canada
- Childcare worker résumé for Canada
- Social worker résumé for Canada
- Software engineer résumé for Canada
Regulated in Canada: Veterinary & animal care, Architecture, construction & property, Transport, logistics & supply chain, Aviation & maritime, Police, defence, security & emergency.
Guides for every other field, from hospitality to aviation, are in the jobs index.
Questions
Is it a CV or a résumé in Canada?
In Canada most jobs ask for a résumé: a short summary of 1–2 pages, focused on achievements and tailored to the job. A curriculum vitae (CV) is used for academic, research and medical jobs; it has no page limit and lists publications, research, teaching and presentations in full. CV Atlas switches between the two automatically when you pick an academic or medical job.
Do I put a photo on my CV in Canada?
No. Leave the photo off a CV for Canada. Employers there don’t expect one and generally prefer CVs without it, because a photo reveals age, sex and ethnicity, which they avoid using in hiring decisions. Use the space for your experience, and add a photo only if a job advert asks for one. No photo, age or marital status: provincial human-rights codes discourage employers from asking.
How long should a CV be in Canada?
For a CV in Canada, aim for 1–2 pages. Describe recent roles in detail and summarise older ones in a line or two, so the whole CV is quick to scan. Set the document to US Letter (8.5 × 11 in) paper, the standard size in Canada. Academic and senior clinical CVs are the exception: they list publications, research, teaching and courses in full and can run longer.
Should I put my date of birth on my CV in Canada?
No. Leave your date of birth and age off a CV for Canada. The same goes for your nationality and marital status. Employers there judge applicants on experience and qualifications, and personal details like these are best left out unless an application form asks for them. CV Atlas sets these details on or off to match the usual practice in Canada, and you can switch each one yourself.
Do I need references on my CV in Canada?
No. Leave referees off a CV for Canada. Employers there ask for references separately, usually late in the process, so the space is better used for your experience. Keep a list of two or three referees with their job title, phone number and email ready to send when asked. Ask your referees in advance so they are ready to respond quickly.
Should I put my visa status on my CV in Canada?
Yes, if you are not a citizen of Canada. State your right to work or visa status near the top of the CV, for example under your contact details, in a few words such as “Permanent resident” or “Requires visa sponsorship”. Recruiters there check this early, so saying it upfront saves a round of questions. Newcomers: state your status (citizen, permanent resident, open work permit) since it affects hiring.
What language should my CV be in for Canada?
English. CVs for Canada are normally written in English. Follow the language of the job advert if it differs, and keep one language throughout: headings, dates and descriptions should all match. Have a native speaker check the final version if English is not your first language. CV Atlas writes the section headings in the language you choose, so switch it to match the advert.
What should a CV for Canada include?
A CV for Canada is usually 1–2 pages on US Letter paper, written in English unless the advert says otherwise, with your most recent role first. Expect no photo, no date of birth, and no referees. Start with a short profile, then experience, education, skills and languages. CV Atlas applies these rules when you choose Canada, and the questions below explain each one.
What paper size should my CV be for Canada?
US Letter (8.5 × 11 inches). Employers in Canada print and read CVs on US Letter paper, the standard size in North America, not A4. Set the page size before you export, because an A4 PDF printed on Letter paper can lose part of its margins or look badly placed on the page. CV Atlas sets US Letter automatically for this country, and you can change the paper size in the design options.
Should I put my nationality on my CV in Canada?
No. Leave your nationality off a CV for Canada. CVs there normally leave out personal details such as nationality, age and family status, and employers judge applicants on skills and experience. If the job needs a particular right to work, say that you have it instead. An application form may still ask about your right to work, so answer it there.
Should I put my marital status on my CV in Canada?
No. Leave your marital status off a CV for Canada. Family details say nothing about how you do the job, and CVs there normally leave them out. Keep the personal details to your name, contact details and, where it matters, your right to work. The same applies to children and other dependants.
Should I put my gender on my CV in Canada?
No. Don’t state your gender on a CV for Canada. It is not relevant to the job, and CVs there normally leave it out. Your name, job title and contact details are enough at the top of the CV, followed straight away by your profile and experience. If an application form asks for it, answer there rather than on the CV.
Do I need my full address on my CV in Canada?
Just your city and country. A CV for Canada needs only your city, country, phone number and email, not your full street address. That is enough for recruiters to see where you are based and whether you would need to relocate, and it keeps your home address off a document that may be shared widely. Employers ask for your full address later, when they make an offer or prepare a contract.
Should I put my driving licence on my CV in Canada?
Only if the job needs it. On a CV for Canada, mention a driving licence when the role involves driving, travel between sites or field work, or when the job advert asks for one. For office jobs it is optional, and one short line in your skills or personal details is enough. For driving jobs, give the licence category and any professional qualifications that go with it.
How should I write dates on a CV in Canada?
Use month and year, newest first. On a CV for Canada, write each role’s dates as month and year, for example “March 2021 to present”, and list your most recent job first. Keep the same format throughout, and avoid giving years only, which can hide gaps and makes recruiters ask questions. Exact days are not needed for jobs or studies.
How do I explain a gap on my CV in Canada?
Explain any gap longer than six months. Recruiters in Canada usually expect a longer break to be accounted for, so add a short line in your timeline, such as “Career break: caring for a family member” or “Relocation and language study”. Be brief and honest, and keep the details for the interview. The CV Atlas readiness check points out gaps of more than six months in your work history, so you can add a line before you send the CV.
Do I sign my CV in Canada?
No. CVs in Canada are not signed. End the CV with your last section, such as skills, languages or references, with no signature, date or place line. A signature adds nothing to a document that is sent online, and recruiters there don’t expect to see one. If an application form asks you to sign a declaration, do it on the form itself.
Should I put hobbies and interests on my CV in Canada?
Only if they add something. Interests are optional on a CV in Canada, and many recruiters skip them. Include one short line only when an interest shows a skill or commitment that fits the job, such as volunteering, coaching or a relevant club, and leave out generic ones like reading or travel. If space is tight, interests are the first section to cut.
Start your résumé for CanadaYour first CV is free. The builder applies these rules and checks your CV before you download it.
Guidance checked October 2026; facts checked 2026-10-15. General information for most employers, not legal or immigration advice. A job advert’s own instructions always come first. CV Atlas is not affiliated with any regulator or professional body named.