A good résumé isn't always enough: it also has to match what Quebec employers expect to read. Many qualified candidates, especially those arriving from another country, have their applications set aside simply because their résumé follows different conventions. The good news: a few adjustments are often all it takes to make a difference.
What Quebec Employers Look for First
A recruiter often spends less than a minute on a first read. They look for three things: the position you're targeting, your main skills and what you have concretely accomplished. Your résumé should let them find these right away.
- A clear headline at the top of the résumé that repeats the targeted position: "Accounting Technician," "Certified Welder," "Web Developer."
- A short profile of three or four lines that summarizes your experience and what you bring.
- Accomplishments rather than a list of duties: "I reduced delivery times by 20%" says more than "Responsible for deliveries."
What to Remove from Your Résumé
In Quebec, the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms prohibits employers from asking for certain personal information when making a hiring decision. Quebec résumés therefore don't include it. Remove:
- your photo;
- your age or date of birth;
- your marital status and the number of children you have;
- your religion, your nationality or your social insurance number.
This information doesn't help the recruiter assess your skills. Leaving it out also lets them focus on what matters.
The Format That Works
Two Pages at Most
For most positions, a one- or two-page résumé is enough. Save the details for the interview.
Most Recent Experience First
List your jobs from most recent to oldest. For each one, include the company, city, country, dates and three or four accomplishments.
A Clean Layout
Use a readable font, clear headings and plenty of white space. Save your résumé as a PDF so the layout stays intact, unless the employer asks for a Word document.
Polished French
A single mistake can make a bad impression. Have someone else proofread your résumé. If the job is performed in English, also prepare an English version.
Explaining a Background Earned Abroad
A recruiter won't necessarily be familiar with the companies, degrees or titles from your country of origin. Help them understand:
- Describe your former employers in a few words: "construction company with 300 employees," "largest bank in Morocco."
- Give the equivalent of your degrees. The comparative evaluation for studies done outside Quebec, issued by the ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI), indicates what your degrees correspond to in the Quebec system. Request the comparative evaluation.
- Check whether your trade is regulated. To practise certain professions in Quebec (nurse, engineer, chartered professional accountant, etc.), you must be a member of a professional order. Mention where you are in the process.
- State your status if you're already in Canada: "Holder of an open work permit valid until 2028," for example. This reassures the employer about your availability.
Tailoring Your Résumé to Each Job Posting
The same résumé sent to twenty employers rarely delivers good results. Before each application, reread the posting and highlight the skills it asks for, using its wording. Many companies use software that sorts résumés by these keywords.
Include a short cover letter, or a brief cover message of a few lines: why this position, why this company, what you will bring to it.
Before You Send: The Checklist
- The targeted position appears at the top of the résumé.
- Your email and phone number are up to date, with a professional greeting on your voicemail.
- No photo or unnecessary personal information.
- Each job lists concrete accomplishments.
- No spelling mistakes.
- The file carries your name: "CV_Marie_Tremblay.pdf."
How 2AF Can Help You
- Recru2af.com, our job platform, lets you create your profile, upload your résumé and browse postings from employers who are hiring in Quebec.
- 2AF Solutions RH connects candidates with Quebec employers, whether you're already in Quebec or abroad. A recruiter assesses your profile and suggests the positions that suit you.
- Alex, the 2AF assistant on WhatsApp, answers your questions about job postings, registration and next steps.