How Newcomers in Toronto Can Boost Resume Callbacks: 5 Proven Strategies

Breaking into the Canadian job market as a newcomer can be tough, even if you have years of valuable international experience. In Toronto, I’ve worked extensively with internationally trained professionals who bring incredible skills, yet struggle to get noticed by local employers.

One of the biggest job search challenges that newcomers is the preference for “Canadian experience” amongst employers. While this bias can be frustrating, there are practical ways to work around it. By making targeted adjustments to your resume, you can get past initial screenings, keep recruiters focused on your strengths, and increase your chances of getting interview calls.

Here are five resume strategies that I’ve successfully used with newcomers in Toronto that have consistently boosted their interview callback rates.

1. Remove the Location of Your International Experience

If your work experience or training was completed outside Canada, consider omitting location details. Although attitudes are shifting and more employers are starting to recognize the value of international credentials and experience, many newcomers still face the dreaded question: “Do you have any Canadian experience?”. Worse yet, some newcomers are directly told by recruiters that they are only seeking candidates who already have Canadian work experience and/or education.

Given this feedback, we can assume that many recruiters may also be scanning resumes to quickly identify whether candidates have Canadian credentials and experience. By removing the location of foreign work and education, you make it harder for recruiters to immediately dismiss your application.

2. Localize Your Resume to Reflect Canadian Language Norms

Language can be a subtle but powerful signal to employers. Certain words, phrases, spellings, and job titles vary by country. For example:

• The term “Curriculum Vitae” is commonly used for job applications in the UK and elsewhere. In Canada, the term “resume” is used for job applications, whereas “Curriculum Vitae” (CV) is reserved for academic or research roles.

  
  

• Spelling should follow Canadian English conventions (e.g., “labour” instead of “labor,” “specialize” instead of “specialise”).

  
  

If you’re unsure whether your resume uses Canadian-style language, ask a local professional, mentor, or career coach to review it. They can help you replace regionalisms with terms employers expect to see.

3. Skip the Country Code on Your Phone Number

While some Canadian-born and long-term citizens and residents will occasionally include the country code (+1) before their phone number, it’s not common. Omitting this detail helps your resume blend in with the local format and avoids unintentionally signaling that you are new to the country.

4. Leave Out Personal Information Not Typically Included in Canadian Resumes

Canadian resumes do not include certain personal details that may be standard elsewhere. Avoid adding your:

• Age or date of birth

• Social Insurance Number (SIN)

• Marital status

• Religion

• Work permit details

• Status in Canada (e.g., Temporary Resident, Permanent Resident, Refugee, Canadian Citizen)

• A headshot or photo

  
  

These details are unnecessary and may expose you to bias.

5. Follow Common Canadian Formatting Conventions

Canadian resumes are typically concise, highly tailored to the target role, and formatted in a predictable manner. Ensure that your resume:

• Is 1-2 pages in length.

• Focuses on skills, work experience, and achievements that are directly relevant to the role that you are targeting.

• Follows one of the three standard resume formats – chronological, combination, or functional – and expresses your work history in reverse chronological order.

  
  

A clear and predictable structure helps recruiters to quickly navigate your resume and helps your relevant skills and experience shine.

Final Thoughts

I’ve implemented these strategies, and many others, with newcomer clients, and the results have been clear: higher callback rates and more interview invitations.

If you’re a newcomer and you’re not hearing back from employers as often as you’d like, try incorporating these tips into your resume. In many instances, small adjustments in presentation can make a big difference in how your application is received.

If you’re looking for guidance, resume writing support, or strategies to improve your job search results, I’d be happy to help. Reach out today and let’s work together to make sure employers notice your skills, experience, and value.

Photo Credit: Photo by Resume Genius on Unsplash