Canada, the top destination for French-speaking candidates
Every year, Canada attracts many French and French-speaking candidates, notably through skilled immigration programs. But a French CV sent as is gets a poor reception there: the Canadian format has its own conventions, close to the North American model, with a specific twist for Quebec.
English or French?
The language depends on the province and the employer:
- In most provinces (Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta…), the CV is written in English.
- In Quebec, the CV is written in French (Quebec French). For a bilingual role, you can prepare both versions.
Matching the language to your target province is a strong sign that you understand the local market.
The rules of the Canadian CV
No photo
As in the United States and the United Kingdom, leave the photo off in Canada, for anti-discrimination reasons. There's an exception for a few rare professions (modeling, performing arts), but the general rule is no photo. Country-by-country details in our guide should you put a photo on your CV.
No personal information
Remove your date of birth, age, marital status, nationality and Social Insurance Number. Keep your name, email, phone, city and LinkedIn.
Achievement-focused
Like the American CV, the Canadian CV highlights quantified achievements rather than job descriptions. Action verbs, measurable results, keywords from the posting. The logic matches that of the American CV.
Length
One to two pages depending on experience. Two pages are more accepted than in the US, but conciseness is still appreciated.
The cover letter
In Canada, a cover letter often accompanies the CV and genuinely counts. It should be tailored to each job, short, and focused on what you bring to the employer.
Degree equivalencies
A common trap: French degrees don't speak for themselves to a Canadian recruiter. Spell out the equivalent when it helps (for example "Master's degree (Bac+5)") rather than leaving "Bac+5" or a purely French title.
Mistakes to avoid
- Sending a French version in Ontario or an English version in Quebec.
- Keeping your photo, date of birth or marital status.
- Translating degrees word for word with no equivalent.
- Neglecting the cover letter.
- An image or multi-column CV that Canadian ATS software can't read, just as in France: see why Canva CVs are invisible.
Adapting your CV for Canada with CVpass
On CVpass, choose "Canada" (or "Canada (Quebec)" for a Quebec French version) as your target country. The tool applies Canadian norms: removing the photo and personal information, matching the language to the province, achievement-focused vocabulary and target length. Your ATS score is recalculated against Canadian expectations.
The Canadian format is included in every plan, the €2.90 Pack included: it isn't reserved for subscribers.
See what the recruiter's software reads
Before you send it, paste the Canadian job posting you're targeting. CVpass shows the keywords it asks for that your CV is missing, then your CV as the screening software reads it, including what gets lost (columns, tables, icons). You approve each suggested change, one at a time or all at once.
FAQ
Should you put a photo on a Canadian CV?
No. In Canada, leave the photo off for anti-discrimination reasons, except in rare professions such as modeling or the performing arts. You also remove your date of birth, age, marital status, nationality and Social Insurance Number.
Is a CV for Quebec different from a Canadian CV?
The rules are the same (no photo, no personal information, achievement-focused), but the CV is written in Quebec French. For a bilingual role, prepare a French version and an English version.
How many pages should a Canadian CV be?
One to two pages depending on experience. Two pages are more accepted than in the US, but conciseness is still appreciated.
How should you present a French degree in Canada?
Give the equivalent rather than the French title alone, for example "Master's degree (Bac+5)." A Canadian recruiter won't necessarily know what "Bac+5" means.
Does a Canadian CV go through screening software (ATS)?
Often, yes. The rules are the same as in France: a single column, no tables or images, a real text-based PDF and the exact keywords from the posting.
Further reading
- Applying abroad: the country-by-country CV guide
- The American CV: a guide to applying in the United States
- CVs in English: adapting your CV to apply abroad
- Should you put a photo on your CV? The country guide
Apply in Canada with a CV that meets local standards. Compare my CV to a Canadian job posting on CVpass: first analysis free, Canadian format included in every plan.