Free resume review for Canada
Sam, an AI recruiter, reads your resume the way a hiring manager in Canada would. He checks it against the local rules below, scores it out of 100 and tells you what to fix first. He can also check your fit for a job post and write a cover letter in the Canada format.
Review my resumeFree. No account. Your resume stays in your browser tab.
What employers in Canada expect from a resume
- Length
- 1 page for students and new graduates, 2 pages at most for most roles; longer only for academic CVs or very senior roles.
- Personal details
- Leave out details Canadian human rights law keeps employers from asking for: photo, date of birth or age, marital or family status, gender, religion, nationality, health and Social Insurance Number (SIN).
- References
- Leave off "References available upon request". Employers assume it, and references go on a separate page when they ask.
- Spelling
- Use Canadian spelling (colour, centre, behaviour, licence as a noun; -ize endings are standard).
- Location
- Give your location as city and province.
- Right to work
- If it helps your application, say it plainly, for example "Eligible to work in Canada", "Canadian citizen" or "Permanent resident".
- Also worth knowing
- Volunteer work counts. Foreign credentials can note a Canadian equivalency (e.g. WES) only if the resume shows education from outside Canada.
Cover letters in Canada
- Opening
- "Dear <name>," if the post names a contact, otherwise "Dear Hiring Manager,". Never "To Whom It May Concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam".
- Closing
- "Sincerely," followed by your name.
- Subject line
- Add one naming the role you're applying for.
What job posts in Canada often ask for
Sam checks your resume against requirements like these when a job post lists them: eligibility to work in Canada, security clearance, French or bilingual, a provincial licence or designation such as P.Eng., CPA or RN.
What Sam checks
- The 7-second skim: does the top of your resume read as the role you want?
- Relevance, impact, progression, clarity, credibility and local standards, scored out of 100
- ATS basics: standard headings, contact details in the body, dates, keywords
- The roles you fit now, with search links for Job Bank, LinkedIn, Indeed
- Certifications employers in your field ask for, from a checked list
- Interview questions your resume is likely to raise