Why Your CV Isn’t Getting You a Job in Canada (And What to Do About It)
There is a reason you're getting those rejection emails or not hearing back from the recruiter or employer.
When applying for jobs or specific career roles, one common misconception is that you can use one CV for different regions, but that's not the case. Honestly, it's one of the quickest ways to get your resume tossed before it even gets seen by a real human.
I also believed this for a long time, thinking, “A CV is just a CV, what matters most is my experience.” Well… that didn't get me too far.
It wasn’t until I got a crash course from friends and colleagues already working in Canada that I realized I’d been doing it all wrong. The format, the phrasing, the order of things—it all matters more than you'd think. For anyone trying to navigate different regions in their job search, it's so important to tailor your CV or resume to match the language and expectations of that specific place.
Canada is no exception. So, if you're applying to jobs in Canada and getting those rejection emails or not hearing back from the recruiter or employer, here are five things you should do on your Canadian resume and five things you absolutely shouldn't.
David Adubiina
5 Things You Should Do on a Canadian Resume
1. Tailor it every single time
I know it’s tempting to blast out the same resume to every job posting with just a quick subject line change. But in Canada, that’s like showing up to a first date in sweatpants. Recruiters can tell when you're using a generic resume—it’s dry, vague, and doesn’t connect the dots. And so, they prefer you take the time to make it specific to the role. That means echoing the language in the job description, highlighting the exact skills they’re asking for, and showing them clearly that you get what they need.
2. Use numbers when talking about your wins
Early on, I thought writing “managed a team” or “handled customer complaints” was enough. But in the Canadian job market, vague statements are like background noise. Everyone’s “hard-working.” Everyone’s “results-driven.” What actually grabs attention is numbers—real, measurable results.
For example: “Managed a team of 5, improved project delivery time by 30%.” That’s something a recruiter can visualize. It makes your experience feel concrete. Even if your work doesn’t seem numbers-based at first, there’s always something to quantify—how many clients, how many sales, how much growth, how much time saved. The more specific you are, the more memorable you become.
3. Keep it short and sweet
Your resume doesn’t need to be an autobiography. I used to cram everything into mine, from my first internship in 2010 to every certificate I’ve ever collected like Pokémon cards. But the truth is, recruiters want it short and focused.
The sweet spot is 1–2 pages, tops. Recruiters here are skimming through dozens of resumes, and they want to know fast if you’re a match. So, it is essential you cut anything that doesn’t speak directly to the role you're applying for. Think of your resume like a movie trailer: give them just enough to want to see more.
4. Use a professional email address
It might seem like a small, negligible detail, but your email address says more than you think. I had to learn this the awkward way—sending out resumes from an old email I made in university. It was something like dave_dynamite88@... Eventually, someone told me point-blank: “Change it, or no one will take you seriously.” In Canada, presentation matters, and your email is part of that first impression. Just keep it simple: your name and maybe a number if it’s taken.
5. Put the best stuff at the top
Canadian recruiters don’t have time to read every line of your resume like a novel. They’re scanning fast. And if your most relevant experience is hiding somewhere on page two, they’ll probably miss it. That’s why it’s key to front-load your resume.
Right at the top, you want a strong summary and a list of key skills that speak directly to the job posting. I started treating the top third of my resume like the homepage of a website—it should grab attention and make someone want to scroll. If nothing else gets read, that part should tell them who I am and what I bring to the table.
5 Things You Shouldn’t Do on a Canadian Resume
1. Don’t include a photo
This one caught me off guard at first. Where I’m from, it’s normal, expected even, to slap a good headshot at the top of your CV. It shows confidence, but not in Canada. Here, a photo on your resume is considered unprofessional.
It’s seen as a distraction, and worse, it opens the door to unconscious bias, something Canadian hiring practices are actively trying to avoid. When I finally took mine off, I felt weird about it, until I realized that what mattered most were my skills and experience, not my face. Your photo belongs on LinkedIn, not your resume.
2. Don’t overshare personal info
There’s a line between “personable” and “too much information.” When I first drafted my first CV, I had my birthday, marital status, and full home address proudly displayed on my resume. In Canada, resumes should stay focused on your qualifications. Leave off anything that’s not job-related: age, religion, SIN number, all of it. The less there is to filter out, the quicker they can focus on why you’re the right fit.
3. Don’t list references
I get why people still do this, there’s this instinct to be helpful and “complete.” But in the Canadian job market, it’s just not necessary. I used to list out names and phone numbers, but I learned two things: one, it takes up space you could use for stronger content; and two, most companies don’t even check references until way later in the hiring process. Keep it simple. They’ll ask when they’re ready.
4. Don’t lie or stretch the truth
This might seem obvious, but it happens more than you’d think. Embellishing titles, faking dates, or inflating achievements might get you an interview, but it won’t get you the job, especially once references or background checks come into play. Be proud of your real story. If you tailor it well, that’s more than enough.
5. Don’t use fancy formatting or graphics
It’s understandable to want your CV to look attractive, polished, maybe even a little artsy. But reality speaks differently.
Hiring managers in most Canadian establishments aren't looking for pretty—they're looking for practical. They want resumes that are clear, straightforward, and easy to scan.
Most companies also use ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) to filter applications before a human ever sees them. These systems are strict. If your resume includes too many visuals, unusual fonts, or complicated layouts, the system might not be able to read it properly.
And if it can’t read your resume, it won’t get passed along. Your application could get rejected before it even
So, as hard as it is, strip it down. You want your resume to be easy to scan, easy to process, and impossible to ignore—for all the right reasons.
David Adubiina
Conclusion
While this information might seem like a lot (format this, remove that, add numbers here), they are very essential. And personally, I’m beginning to really see why that phrase keeps popping up over and over again: "Tailor your CV." It’s not just a buzzword but the defining line that ensures you get to the next stage if done properly.
For the longest time, I thought my experience would speak for itself. But in a competitive job market, it’s not just what you’ve done—it’s how you present it. You’ve got to show recruiters that you understand the landscape, the expectations, and the tone.
So yeah, it takes more work. But if you’re serious about landing the role, and not just tossing your resume into the void, it’s worth every tweak, every edit, every intentional line.
