4 tips to get your resumé Canada-ready
Credit to Author: Ivy Chiu| Date: Tue, 04 Dec 2018 20:28:58 +0000
Whether you’re looking for your first job in Canada, a new role or even a career change, there are exciting times ahead for you!
Finding a new job can be a full-time job, so it’s important to recognize the time commitment before embarking on this journey. Managing your expectations from the beginning is vital to keeping a positive outlook and persevering when it may feel challenging.
There are many services that help newcomers with their career search, including Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC). RBC is the lead sponsor of TRIEC’s national Mentoring Partnership, a mentorship program where job-ready skilled immigrants across Canada are matched with mentors from various employers, including RBC.
One important element of your job search will be your resumé, which presents your skills, experience and job requirements throughout the hiring process. It is often a potential employer’s first view of you, so it needs to be able to communicate all the important things you want employers to know on its own.
A resumé also needs to align with how you present yourself when you are invited for an in-person interview. A strong resumé will help to ensure a good match between you and your potential employer, increasing your chances of finding meaningful employment.
Here are four tips to help you create a resumé that tells the story you want to tell and meets the expectations of Canadian employers:
Do your research
Position titles vary between countries and companies. The Government of Canada uses a National Occupation Classification (NOC) code system to categorize jobs based on the type of work a person does and the types of job duties. Visit Canada.ca to find your NOC code to determine your job title, code and skill level. This can help you find the right terminology to use on your resumé.
It is also helpful to research positions at the company you’re interested in or applying to, as they may have different or unusual naming conventions for job titles.
Keep your resumé brief
The general rule is to keep a resumé to two pages maximum. You should only include details that are relevant to the job you are applying for in the most succinct way possible. Many employers have to skim through thousands of resumés so if it’s too difficult for them to find the important information, you could get overlooked.
Highlight your accomplishment on your resumé
When writing about your work experience, list the impactful things you have done throughout your career rather than generic descriptions of your job titles. Essentially, you want to describe the situation, your responsibilities and your impact.
Include basic personal information on your resumé only
Employers in Canada are not allowed to ask for extensive personal information, nor are you required to provide it. Your resumé should provide your full name, phone number (ideally a local, Canadian number) and email address. You are not required to include a picture, marital status, religion or expected salary on your resumé (salary will be negotiated later on in the hiring process).
Once you are hired, in order to get set up on the payroll, you will need to a Canadian bank account to either cash your cheques or have your paycheque directly deposited into — both are popular payment options offered by Canadian employers.
Good luck with your job search!