Resume writing for UK professionals moving to Canada
Canadian employers ask for a resume, not a CV, and they read it differently. Most will never have heard of your UK employer or your qualifications. We convert your CV into a Canadian resume that makes your British experience easy to understand and easy to compare.
Cities: Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal
Get my free CV diagnosis | Services and prices | Recruiter-made CV rebuild: £80, one-time
UK CV vs Canadian resume
| UK CV | Canadian resume | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is called | CV | Resume; a CV usually means an academic document |
| Length | Two pages | Two pages |
| Photo, age, marital status | Left off | Left off, and including them can count against you |
| Spelling | British | Canadian English: 'colour' and 'centre', but 'organize' |
| Qualifications | UK names | UK qualifications explained with a Canadian equivalent |
| Right to work | Not stated | Stated: your permit type, or that you are eligible to work in Canada |
4 rules for your Canadian resume
- State your work authorisation. Say whether you hold a work permit, permanent residency or are applying. Canadian recruiters filter on it early.
- Explain your qualifications. GCSEs, A-levels, HNDs and UK professional bodies mean little to many Canadian recruiters. Add a plain equivalent. If you are immigrating, you may also need your degree assessed through an Educational Credential Assessment.
- Results, not duties. Canadian resumes are achievement-led. Every role should open with what you changed, with numbers a recruiter can compare.
- Check the language for Quebec. Most roles in Quebec need French. Outside Quebec, English is enough for most professional jobs.
Sectors hiring in Canada
Healthcare, engineering, construction, technology and skilled trades are long-standing areas of demand. Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal carry most professional roles.
- Healthcare
- Engineering
- Construction
- Technology
- Skilled trades
Check your route before you apply
Routes include employer-backed work permits, Express Entry for permanent residence, and International Experience Canada for younger Brits. Check the current options with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada before you apply.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
We write CVs, not visa advice. Rules change, so always confirm with the official source.
Who rebuilds your CV
Your CV is rebuilt by UK recruiters with 25+ years of experience across the UK and the Middle East. We are not a recruitment agency in Canada and we do not place candidates there. What we do is rebuild your British CV the way employers in Canada expect to read it, and tell you plainly what has to change.
CVs for Canada: common questions
Do Canadians use a CV or a resume?
A resume. In Canada a CV usually means a longer academic or medical document. For most jobs, send a two-page resume.
Do I need an Educational Credential Assessment?
Often for immigration routes such as Express Entry, and for some regulated professions. For a job application, a clear Canadian equivalent on your resume is usually enough. Check the requirement for your route with IRCC.
Should my Canadian resume have a photo?
No. Leave off your photo, date of birth and marital status. Canadian employers do not expect them.