1. Your Résumé (Curriculum Vitae)
The format and presentation of the résumé that Canadian recruiters expect from candidates may be very different than the standards in other countries. For example, inclusion of photographs or personal information in a Canadian résumé is not generally considered acceptable, but may be common in other locations. It is generally recognized that a hiring manager may spend only a fraction of a minute screening résumés, so it is important that all facets be appealing.
A critical first step is to re-create the presentation of your qualifications and experience from the ground up. This means more than simply polishing or re-working your résumé for the positions that you pursue in Canada, but rather re-formulating all aspects of this important document following research and examination of what works and what does not. Re-examine each aspect of your skill-set, and present these in a way that a Canadian employer will find appealing.
Much like someone who is undergoing a career-change, the résumé of a New Canadian is fundamentally different from most others. You may wish to place more focus on your accomplishments rather than duties, and identify those facets of your experience that are directly relevant to the employer your are communicating with.
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