Tips for your CV in Quebec: Stand out in the Quebec job market
Quebec’s job market places more importance on skills than on years and degrees. Move away from exhaustive lists and try to highlight your experience instead. Your resume is a professional development tool that needs to be adapted to each job offer to meet the specific needs of the company.
1-Determine your professional identity in your resume in Quebec
First, establish the foundations of your professional identity.
- What would you like people to remember about you?
- What can you do for an employer?
- What makes you different from the others?
Use these answers to incorporate this identity into your resume. Here are a few ways to do this:
2-Try giving yourself an interesting title.
For example: client-oriented accountant. The title you give to your resume in Quebec should be adapted to each application, based on the position you are applying for.
3-Use the right keywords for the sector.
Many recruiters use an algorithm to pick out resumes in Quebec. It can be helpful to pay attention to which keywords are used in the text of the job offer. The sites suggested by the Sectoral Workforce Committees (CSMO) and the Labour Market Information site will provide you with valuable information.
4-List the main parts of your professional profile in five points:
- Number of years of professional experience related to the position (e.g. five years as an accountant in an SME)
- Specialty (e.g. accountant in the hotel industry)
- Your achievements (e.g. tracking of a cost-reduction project, 20% reduction in 1 year)
- Skills (soft skills, such as being organized)
- Skills (know-how, such as using SAP software)
5-Adapt the description of your work experience.
Your former employers may not be known in Quebec. In your Québécois CV, specify the company’s sector and size, without forgetting to target some of your responsibilities (maximum five) for the position. After indicating your responsibilities, use another paragraph to state your professional achievements with figures. Include only those positions that are relevant to the position you are applying for and mention your successes in these roles. These details will give an overview of the skills that you can apply to your future job.
6-Highlight your local experience.
If you have not yet had the opportunity to work in Quebec, don’t hesitate to include your volunteer experiences in your CV. Social involvement is very rewarding because it shows your proactivity and your desire to integrate into Quebec society.
7-Drop the interests and hobbies section.
Instead, focus on a list of your specific skills: the languages you speak, the relevant software you can use and other assets that will make you stand out. It’s better to demonstrate these skills than to list them. So feel free to give concrete examples in your resume in Quebec.
8-Think about the six-second rule.
That’s the average amount of time a recruiter spends on a resume before deciding whether or not to read it. Do the test: look at the document from one metre away and note what sticks out. Adding an accent colour and highlighting your job titles will help your cv stand out from the pile. Don’t hesitate to get advice from employment services.
And other important tips for your resume in Quebec
Remember :
- Use letter format (8 ½ x 11)
- Limit it to two pages, customized for the position
- Make your name, phone number and email address stand out
- Provide a link to your LinkedIn profile
- Pay special attention to spelling
- Avoid any personal information: photo, date of birth, immigration status in Canada, SIN number, nationality, etc.
- Save the document in PDF format
Now that your resume is ready, it’s time to go looking for opportunities.