CV Format for Canada (2026 Guide)
Canadian resumes sit between the US and UK traditions: achievement-focused, bias-aware, and — especially in Quebec and the public sector — often bilingual. Formatting is clean and ATS-friendly.
At a glance
What to include
- Contact information: name, phone, email, city/province, LinkedIn
- A concise summary tailored to the role
- Work experience in reverse-chronological order with measurable achievements
- Education and certifications, including Canadian equivalencies if you studied abroad
- For government roles, explicit responses to each essential qualification in the job poster
What to avoid
- Photo, date of birth, marital status or immigration status in the private sector
- US spelling if applying for a role that expects Canadian English
- Vague responsibilities — quantify outcomes instead
- Ignoring selection criteria for federal/provincial government applications
For federal and provincial government jobs, address each 'essential qualification' with a concrete example — this is mandatory, not optional. Bilingual English/French is a major advantage in Quebec and across the public sector.
Frequently asked questions
Do Canadian resumes need a photo?
No. Like the US and UK, Canadian resumes omit photos, date of birth and marital status to reduce bias.
Should my resume be in French?
For Quebec roles and federal bilingual positions, yes — or provide both English and French versions. For most private-sector roles outside Quebec, English is fine.
What paper size does Canada use?
Letter (8.5 × 11 in), the same as the US, not A4.
Localize your CV for Canada
Paste your current CV and our free preview shows exactly what changes for Canada — photo, length, dates, wording and order.