1. Do not list your responsibilities just like that, instead, highlight your key accomplishments, things you achieved in the role. This will distinguish you from other candidates in a similar position. Focus on highlights, and not every detail.
2. Keep your CV interesting, sell yourself, employers in Canada will typically spend little time assessing your CV, so make it interesting.
3. Make your texts legible with a good font size (12 – 14). Avoid telling stories and be direct, straight to the point.
4. Use short sentences, in place of first persons. “Increased revenue…” instead of “I increased revenue…”.
5. Keep the CV short and concise. Maximum of 2 pages, avoid putting unnecessary information that make the CV more than two pages, 3 pages maximum.
6. Remember to convert terms to the Canadian equivalent. Like GPA instead of university grades, internships, etc.
7. Remove your hobbies, no one cares about those.
8. Tailor your CV to jobs per requirement. Avoid sending the same CV to different job types. This is called generic CVs.
9. Do not sign your CV.
10. Remove the word ‘CV or resume’ from the title of your CV or resume.
For Africans moving to Canada, your resume or CV is critical in your search for a job, because this is what employers in Canada will assess your suitability with. Considering that your profession or vocation has been in Africa, it is critical that you adapt and to the Canadian job market requirement.
The general CV format in Canada is in the following order;
1. Contact information
2. Professional / career summary
3. Work experience
4. Education / professional development
Where appropriate, you may also add technical skills and volunteer experience / community involvement.
You may find these tips useful;
1. Do not list your responsibilities just like that, instead, highlight your key accomplishments, things you achieved in the role. This will distinguish you from other candidates in a similar position. Focus on highlights, and not every detail.
2. Keep your CV interesting, sell yourself, employers in Canada will typically spend little time assessing your CV, so make it interesting.
3. Make your texts legible with a good font size (12 – 14). Avoid telling stories and be direct, straight to the point.
4. Use short sentences, in place of first persons. “Increased revenue…” instead of “I increased revenue…”.
5. Keep the CV short and concise. Maximum of 2 pages, avoid putting unnecessary information that make the CV more than two pages, 3 pages maximum.
6. Remember to convert terms to the Canadian equivalent. Like GPA instead of university grades, internships, etc.
7. Remove your hobbies, no one cares about those.
8. Tailor your CV to jobs per requirement. Avoid sending the same CV to different job types. This is called generic CVs.
9. Do not sign your CV.
10. Remove the word ‘CV or resume’ from the title of your CV or resume.
11. Remove references.
For Africans moving to Canada, your resume or CV is critical in your search for a job, because this is what employers in Canada will assess your suitability with. Considering that your profession or vocation has been in Africa, it is critical that you adapt and to the Canadian job market requirement. The general CV format in Canada is in the following order; 1. Contact information 2. Professional / career summary 3. Work experience 4. Education / professional development Where appropriate, you may also add technical skills and volunteer experience / community involvement.