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While Canadians used to be more conservative than Americans in their approach to resumes and career management, today their habits are relatively interchangeable.

Canadian resumes

What people must adapt to the most when coming to Canada from other countries is how bombastic we can be in the way we sell ourselves. Here we are seen as a commodity. Recruiters and employers select based on performance – you continuously deliver, you surpass sales quotas, you drive the business, you’re innovative, etc.

Canadian resumes must tell stories that show how you achieve and deliver those accomplishments. I blend numerous metrics into the STAR resumes I write for clients (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

In North America, you’re in a street race and there’s only a trophy for #1. This is a huge distinction from the rest of the world, particularly Europe, where resumes are much more centered around job descriptions. They don’t tend to differentiate themselves as much as we do. In the UK and Ireland, on the other hand, the traditional CV format is evolving more into our style.

Finding work in Canada

In truth it can be very difficult for immigrants to secure jobs in Canada. Yes, they can secure a resume expert to write a Canadian version of their resume, and they can network tirelessly, but that is only part of the journey.

It’s the classic Catch-22: Canadian employers say they can’t hire you until you have Canadian work experience, but how do you get Canadian work experience if employers won’t hire you?

Often it means taking a job at a lower level than you had in your previous country. A vice-president may become a senior manager, and a senior manager may take a more junior or middle management position.

Be realistic with your goals, and patient with the process. Once you prove yourself, you can move up the ranks again. I’ve seen unbelievable cases of this happening very quickly.

To work in some professions such as medicine and engineering, newcomers require additional schooling and certification, and some simply aren’t willing to go through that. Instead, they take related jobs in other professions.

For example, I’ve known prominent medical professionals who’ve transitioned into academic research and hospital administration with much success. Was it their first choice? No, but they adapt.

The Government of Canada provides career resources for newcomers to Canada, and it would also be wise to engage the services of a career management professional who specializes in helping senior level executives.

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You never know when a tap on the shoulder is going to come, either in the form of a pink slip or a new career opportunity. In either case, it is imperative that your resume is up to date.

Even while you’re gainfully employed, review your resume regularly, paying particular attention to these three areas:

1. Contact information

Provide a personal phone number (many people make the mistake of leaving this out), mailing address and email address. Never use contact information from your current position. Your current employer doesn’t want you using work time and resources for career management, and prospective employers don’t want to think you’ll be doing that when you work for them.

Also provide links to your profiles on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Google+, and your personal blog, website, online portfolio and Skype address. For more tips, see my social media strategies for executives.

2. Personal brand

Be sure your resume reinforces your personal brand. Consider the overall look and feel, font choice and sizes, and the language and tone. Be sure to convey your unique promise of value. What differentiates you from others? What are your special areas of expertise?

Use the same font and heading styles in your resume, cover letter and any other marketing materials. Hint: Sans serif fonts such as Arial or Calibri are easiest to read both on screen and in print.

For more branding tips, see my top five branding mistakes to avoid during a job search.

3. Projective section

This is my own term for the top third of the page, where you seduce the reader to keep reading. It’s a combination of what used to be known as the Profile and Objective sections.

For a compelling Projective section, answer these four questions:

1. What ONE WORD best describes you? Steer clear of the overused, cliché terms like passionate or driven. Choose a powerful, resonating word that will stand out and be memorable. Then be prepared to defend it in the interview with stories, examples and specific accomplishments.
2. Describe your leadership style. We all lead differently. How do you make sure things get done? How do you help team members grow and develop? How do you make tough decisions? How do you manage your time and priorities?
3. Describe your communication style. How do you cope with different personality types? How do you get your own point across while also understanding and accommodating another person’s point of view? How do you manage high-pressure situations?
4. What are you renowned for? How do others describe you? What stands out most about you? How will hiring you benefit the organization?

By being proactive to update your resume on a regular basis, you’ll always be ready for whatever comes your way. That puts you squarely in charge of managing your own career.

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