Canadian Resume Requirements 2026: What to Include & Exclude
Complete guide to Canadian resume requirements. Learn what is mandatory, optional, and forbidden on Canadian resumes. Compliance with Canadian employment standards.
Canadian Resume Requirements Overview
Canadian resume requirements are designed to ensure fair hiring practices and compliance with human rights legislation. Understanding what to include and exclude is crucial for passing ATS filters and reaching human recruiters.
What to Include in a Canadian Resume
✅ Mandatory Sections
1. Contact Information
- Full name
- City and province (not full address)
- Phone number (Canadian or international format)
- Professional email address
- LinkedIn profile URL (highly recommended)
2. Work Experience
- Job titles (reverse chronological order)
- Company names and locations (City, Province)
- Employment dates (Month/Year format)
- Key achievements and responsibilities
- Quantifiable results and impact
3. Education
- Degree or diploma name
- Institution name and location
- Graduation year
- GPA (optional, only if 3.5+ or specifically requested)
4. Skills
- Technical skills (hard skills)
- Software and tools
- Languages (if relevant to the job)
- Certifications and licenses
✅ Optional but Recommended Sections
- Professional Summary: 2-3 lines highlighting key experience and value proposition
- Certifications: Professional certifications, licenses, and credentials
- Volunteer Experience: Highly valued in Canada, shows community involvement
- Projects: Relevant for tech, creative, and portfolio-based roles
- Awards and Achievements: Professional recognition and accomplishments
What NOT to Include in a Canadian Resume
❌ Forbidden Information
Personal Information (Anti-Discrimination Laws)
- Photo or headshot - Not allowed under Canadian human rights laws
- Age or date of birth - Protected characteristic
- Gender or marital status - Protected characteristic
- Nationality or citizenship - Protected characteristic (unless job requires specific citizenship)
- Religious affiliation - Protected characteristic
- Political affiliation - Not relevant to job qualifications
Other Items to Exclude
- Signature - Not required and takes up space
- Full home address - City and province are sufficient
- Salary expectations - Discuss during interviews
- References - Provide only when requested
- Hobbies (unless relevant) - Only include if directly related to the job
- Unprofessional email addresses - Use a professional email
Comparison Table: Allowed vs. Not Allowed
| ✅ Allowed | ❌ Not Allowed |
|---|---|
| Skills | Photo |
| Work Experience | Age |
| Education | Marital Status |
| Certifications | Nationality |
| Volunteer Experience | Signature |
| Professional Summary | Full Address |
| City, Province | Salary Expectations |
Section-by-Section Breakdown
Header Section
Must Include: Full name, city and province, phone number, email address
Optional: LinkedIn URL, personal website/portfolio
Must Exclude: Photo, full street address, age, gender
Professional Summary
Status: Optional but highly recommended
Length: 2-3 lines maximum
Focus: Experience, skills, value proposition (not personal traits)
Work Experience
Status: Mandatory
Order: Reverse chronological (most recent first)
Format: Job title, company name – city, province, dates, bullet points with achievements
Education
Status: Mandatory
Include: Degree name, institution, location, graduation year
Optional: GPA (only if 3.5+ or requested), relevant coursework, honors
Skills
Status: Mandatory
Format: Bullet points or comma-separated
Priority: Hard skills first, then soft skills (if space allows)
Additional Sections
Volunteer Experience: Highly valued in Canada, include if relevant
Certifications: Include professional certifications and licenses
Projects: Relevant for tech and creative roles
Languages: Only if relevant to the job (e.g., bilingual positions)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I include a photo on my Canadian resume?
Canadian human rights laws prohibit discrimination based on personal characteristics. Including a photo could lead to unconscious bias in hiring. Employers are legally required to base hiring decisions on qualifications, not appearance.
Can I include my age or date of birth?
No. Age is a protected characteristic under Canadian human rights legislation. Including your age could lead to age discrimination, which is illegal.
Should I include references on my resume?
No. Don't include references on your resume. Instead, prepare a separate reference list and provide it only when requested by the employer.
Is volunteer experience important on Canadian resumes?
Yes. Volunteer experience is highly valued in Canada and shows community involvement, leadership, and transferable skills. Include it if relevant to the job or if you have limited work experience.
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