According to a recent survey by Indeed Canada, recruiters spend an average of 7–10 seconds scanning each resume, meaning your cover letter and resume must be clear, concise, and customised to stand out. A well-crafted Canadian-style application is your first step to landing interviews and building a career in Canada.
Canadian Cover Letter Format for 2025
Crafting a compelling cover letter is crucial when applying to Canadian institutions or employers. The Canadian cover letter format emphasises clarity, conciseness, and relevance.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you structure your cover letter effectively:
1. Contact Information
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Include your personal details at the top:
- Full Name
- Address (City, Province, Postal Code)
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- LinkedIn Profile (optional)
- Date of writing the letter
2. Employer's Information
Provide the recipient's details:
- Hiring Manager's Name
- Company/Institution Name
- Address (City, Province, Postal Code)
3. Salutation
Address the hiring manager directly:
- If you know the name: Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
- If unknown: Dear Hiring Manager,
4. Opening Paragraph
Begin with a strong introduction:
- State the position you're applying for.
- Mention how you learned about the opportunity.
- Briefly introduce yourself and express enthusiasm.
5. Body Paragraph(s)
Elaborate on your qualifications:
- Highlight relevant skills and experiences.
- Provide specific examples of achievements.
- Align your qualifications with the job requirements.
6. Closing Paragraph
Conclude with a call to action:
- Express interest in an interview.
- Thank the reader for their time and consideration.
7. Sign-Off
End with a professional closing:
- Sincerely,
- Best regards,
- Yours truly,
- Followed by your full name.
Below are two sample Canadian cover letters (2025) tailored to different scenarios, one for a university internship application and another for a part-time job as an international student, followed by a customisable template you can reuse.
| Sample 1: Cover Letter for University Internship (Marketing) |
|---|
| Aanya Mehra 123 King Street Toronto, ON M5V 1A1 (647) 555-0198 aanya.mehra@email.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aanyamehra May 10, 2025 Ms. Rachel Thompson Internship Coordinator University of Toronto 27 King's College Circle Toronto, ON M5S 1A1 Dear Ms. Thompson, I am writing to express my keen interest in the Summer 2025 Marketing Internship at the University of Toronto, as advertised on your Career Services portal. As a third-year International Business student at York University, I am eager to apply my academic knowledge to real-world marketing challenges within a dynamic university environment. Over the past two semesters, I have taken part in several case competitions where I developed marketing strategies for hypothetical brands. I also worked as a volunteer social media manager for York’s Indian Students Association, increasing their Instagram engagement by over 40% in three months. I believe this experience, along with my cross-cultural perspective as an international student, would bring fresh insight to your marketing team. I would welcome the opportunity to further discuss how I can contribute to your department this summer. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of joining your team. Sincerely, Aanya Mehra |
| Sample 2: Cover Letter for Part-Time Retail Job (International Student) |
|---|
| Karan Patel 88 Elm Street Vancouver, BC V6B 1A9 (778) 555-7623 karanpatel@email.ca May 12, 2025 Hiring Manager Best Buy Canada Downtown Vancouver Store 789 Granville Street Vancouver, BC V6Z 1K7 Dear Hiring Manager, I am writing to apply for the part-time Sales Associate position at Best Buy’s Downtown Vancouver location. As a first-year Computer Science student at the University of British Columbia, I bring strong communication skills, a customer-first mindset, and a passion for technology that aligns with your brand. I previously worked at a mobile accessories store in Mumbai, where I developed hands-on experience with sales, inventory management, and customer troubleshooting. I’m fluent in English and Hindi and have received excellent feedback from customers for my product knowledge and patience. I am confident in my ability to contribute positively to your team, especially during high-demand weekend shifts. I am available to work evenings and weekends, and I am legally permitted to work up to 20 hours per week as per my study permit conditions. Thank you for your time and consideration. Best regards, Karan Patel |
Canadian Cover Letter Template – 2025 (Editable)
[Your Full Name]
[Street Address]
[City, Province, Postal Code]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
[LinkedIn Profile] (optional)
[Date]
[Recipient’s Name or Hiring Manager]
[Institution/Company Name]
[Street Address]
[City, Province, Postal Code]
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I am writing to express my interest in the [Job Title/Internship Position] at [Company/Institution], as advertised on [Platform/Website]. As a [Your Current Program or Background], I believe my skills in [mention 2-3 skills or areas of experience] align well with the needs of your team.
In my previous experience at [mention relevant role, project, or volunteer work], I [describe what you achieved or learned]. I am particularly drawn to this opportunity because [explain what excites you about the company or role]. My ability to [highlight a key strength] and my proactive approach would make me a valuable addition to your team.
I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss my application further in an interview. Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
Top 10 Tips for a Canadian Cover Letter (2025)
Here are a few Tips to master the Canadian Cover Letter Format in 2025, especially helpful for international students and newcomers applying to Canadian jobs, internships, or academic programs:
| Tip | Why It Matters | How to Apply It |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Keep it concise | Recruiters spend under 30 seconds scanning a cover letter. | Limit your letter to 3-4 short paragraphs and one page max. |
| 2. Tailor it for each application | A generic letter feels impersonal and less relevant. | Mention the company/role by name and align your skills with the specific job description. |
| 3. Start strong | Your opening line sets the tone. | Clearly state the role you're applying for and show genuine interest from the first sentence. |
| 4. Use a professional tone | Canadian employers value clarity and respectfulness. | Avoid overly casual language; stay professional yet warm. |
| 5. Showcase achievements, not just duties | Employers want to know your impact, not just your job title. | Use metrics or specific outcomes (e.g., “Increased engagement by 40%”). |
| 6. Match Canadian formatting norms | It reflects your awareness of local work culture. | Include full contact info, use a clean font (Arial, Calibri), and avoid decorative elements. |
| 7. Mention work eligibility if you're an international student | Clarifies your legal status and prevents confusion. | Add a line like: “I am legally eligible to work in Canada under my study permit.” |
| 8. Use a clear structure | A messy letter is harder to read and easier to dismiss. | Follow the format: Introduction → Body, and finally with a closing CTA. |
| 9. End with a confident CTA | Encourages the employer to take the next step. | Say something like: “I’d welcome the chance to discuss my application in more detail.” |
| 10. Proofread thoroughly | Typos can hurt your credibility, especially as a new applicant. | Use tools like Grammarly, or ask a friend/counselor to review it before sending. |
AI Prompt for Canadian Cover Letter (2025)
| Prompt |
|---|
| Act as a Canadian career advisor and HR recruiter in 2025. Write a compelling Canadian-style cover letter for the following role: – Job Title: [Insert job title] – Company Name: [Insert company] – Location: [City, Province] – Your Motivation: [Why you're applying for this role] My Profile: – Name: [Your full name] – Education: [Your degrees, institutions, and years] – Relevant Skills: [6–10 key hard and soft skills] – Work Experience Highlights: [Job titles, companies, dates, and 2–3 key achievements] – Certifications (if any): [Name – Year] – Languages: [List levels – e.g., English (Fluent), Hindi (Native)] – LinkedIn (optional): [URL] – Keywords from the job posting: [List key words or copy a snippet from the job post] Please structure the letter in a professional Canadian cover letter format (2025), including an engaging introduction, skills-based body paragraphs, and a confident closing. Keep it under one page and tailor the tone to match the Canadian workplace culture, professional yet approachable |
Now that you know how to craft a compelling Canadian cover letter, the next crucial step is to prepare a well-structured resume that aligns with Canadian hiring standards.
While your cover letter introduces you and highlights your motivation, your resume is where you prove your qualifications through education, experience, and skills.
In the next section, we’ll walk you through the ideal Canadian resume format for 2025, tailored for students, recent graduates, and newcomers looking to make a strong first impression.
Canadian Resume Format: Contents in Order
- Contact Information
- Full Name
- Canadian Phone Number
- Professional Email Address
- LinkedIn Profile (optional but recommended)
- City and Province (postal code optional)
- Professional Summary(Optional but Recommended)
- A 2–3 line snapshot of your background, skills, and what you bring to the table.
- Tailor this section to match the job description.
- Key Skills
- 6–10 relevant skills listed as bullet points or in a horizontal format.
- Include both technical and soft skills.
- Work Experience(Reverse Chronological Order)
- Job Title
- Company Name, City, Province
- Dates (Month, Year – Month, Year)
- 3–5 bullet points describing accomplishments and responsibilities
- Use strong action verbs and quantify where possible (e.g., increased sales by 30%).
- Education
- Degree or Diploma
- Institution Name, City, Province
- Dates (Month, Year – Month, Year or "Expected")
- Optional: GPA (if ≥ 3.5), relevant coursework, honours
- Projects or Volunteering(Optional but valuable for students/newcomers)
- Title of Project or Volunteer Role
- Organization Name, City, Province
- Dates
- Description of your contributions and outcomes
- Certifications / Additional Training(Optional)
- Certification Name
- Issuing Organization and Year
- Include only relevant and recent certifications
- Languages(Optional)
- Language + Proficiency Level (e.g., English – Fluent, Hindi – Native)
- Language + Proficiency Level (e.g., English – Fluent, Hindi – Native)
- Awards & Achievements(Optional)
- Title of Award
- Issuer, Year
- Brief description (only if relevant to the role)
Canadian Resume Format: Contents in Order
- Contact Information
- Full Name
- Canadian Phone Number
- Professional Email Address
- LinkedIn Profile (optional but recommended)
- City and Province (postal code optional)
- Professional Summary(Optional but Recommended)
- A 2–3 line snapshot of your background, skills, and what you bring to the table.
- Tailor this section to match the job description.
- Key Skills
- 6–10 relevant skills listed as bullet points or in a horizontal format.
- Include both technical and soft skills.
- Work Experience(Reverse Chronological Order)
- Job Title
- Company Name, City, Province
- Dates (Month, Year – Month, Year)
- 3–5 bullet points describing accomplishments and responsibilities
- Use strong action verbs and quantify where possible (e.g., increased sales by 30%).
- Education
- Degree or Diploma
- Institution Name, City, Province
- Dates (Month, Year – Month, Year or "Expected")
- Optional: GPA (if ≥ 3.5), relevant coursework, honours
- Projects or Volunteering(Optional but valuable for students/newcomers)
- Title of Project or Volunteer Role
- Organization Name, City, Province
- Dates
- Description of your contributions and outcomes
- Certifications / Additional Training(Optional)
- Certification Name
- Issuing Organization and Year
- Include only relevant and recent certifications
- Languages(Optional)
- Language + Proficiency Level (e.g., English – Fluent, Hindi – Native)
- Language + Proficiency Level (e.g., English – Fluent, Hindi – Native)
- Awards & Achievements(Optional)
- Title of Award
- Issuer, Year
- Brief description (only if relevant to the role)
Top 10 Tips for a Perfect Canadian Resume (2025)
1. Tailor Your Resume to Each Job
Customize your resume for every job application. Use keywords from the job description and match your skills and experiences to what the employer is looking for.
2. Use a Clean, ATS-Friendly Format
Avoid graphics, text boxes, and multi-column layouts. Most Canadian employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes, so keep it simple, clean, and in reverse-chronological format.
3. Start with a Strong Professional Summary
A 2–3 line summary at the top of your resume helps recruiters quickly understand your profile and value proposition. Make it concise, clear, and targeted.
4. Showcase Impact, Not Just Duties
Use action verbs and highlight your accomplishments with measurable results. For example:
Instead of “Responsible for managing social media” use “Increased Instagram engagement by 35% through targeted campaigns”
5. Keep It to 1–2 Pages
- New graduates or early professionals: Stick to 1 page
- Experienced professionals: Max 2 pages
Don’t include unnecessary details focus on relevance and clarity.
6. Use Canadian Spellings
Employers in Canada expect Canadian English, so write "centre" not "center", and "organise" instead of "organize" where appropriate.
7. Don’t Include Personal Information
Canadian resumes should not include:
- Date of birth
- Photo
- Gender
- Marital status
- Religion
- Nationality
8. Quantify Achievements Wherever Possible
Use numbers, percentages, or ranges to demonstrate the scale or impact of your work. This builds credibility and shows you understand results.
9. Include Soft Skills + Technical Skills
Employers value both. Example:
- Soft: Communication, leadership, adaptability
- Technical: Excel, SQL, Adobe, Google Analytics
10. Proofread and Edit Thoroughly
Grammatical errors and typos can disqualify you. Use tools like Grammarly, and always have a friend or mentor review your resume before submission.
AI Prompt for Canadian Resume (2025)
| Prompt |
|---|
| Act as a Canadian HR expert in 2025. Based on the information below, create a clean, professional, ATS-friendly Canadian-style resume for a job application. My Details: – Name: [Your Full Name] – Contact Info: [Phone number, Email, LinkedIn] – Target Role: [Job title] – Professional Summary: [2–3 lines summarizing your background and goals] – Skills: [Bullet list of hard and soft skills] – Education: [Degrees, institutions, years, relevant coursework or GPA if recent] – Work Experience: [Job titles, companies, locations, dates, and 2–4 bullet point achievements each] – Projects (optional): [Name, what you did, outcome] – Certifications (if any): [Name – Year] – Languages: [Language – proficiency level] Please format the resume in reverse-chronological order, using clear section headings, bullet points, and no graphics or tables. Keep the design clean and modern, suitable for Canadian employers and ATS systems. Length: 1 page for early-career roles, 2 pages for experienced candidates. |
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q. What is the difference between American and Canadian resume templates?
A. The basic style for an American resume and a Canadian resume remains the same. However, the difference is in their preferred language. American resumes are always in English since it is the primary language in the US. but, in Canada, there are two official languages, English and French. Tailor your resume according to the job you are applying for. Even if it is in English, stick to the British spelling rule, since that is prominent in Canada.
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Q. How can I create a Canadian resume, being an international student?
A. Being an international student, you might come across several occasions where you need to provide a resume. This can happen while applying for a university, applying for a part-time job, or while applying for a project, or internship. Being a student, your primary focus should be the academic achievements you had. Mention them appropriately. Since you are a foreign student, adding the location of your previous institutions could be more accurate.
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Q. How to write a CV for a Canadian university?
A. While applying for a Canadian university, you need to follow the specific Canadian cover letter format. The Canadian cover letter format is given below:
- Add your work experience and qualifications in reverse order
- Do not add a profile photo
- Do not elaborate on your personal information
- Draft a CV or resume in the same language as the job offered -
Q. What should be the length of a resume for Canada?
A. The average length of your resume for Canada should be 1-2 pages. We recommend retaining your resume within a single page. However, a two-page resume is acceptable if you are well-experienced in your field, for example, if you have an experience of 15+ years. A longer resume is recommended for seasonal professionals as well.
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Q. Do Canadians say CV or resume?
A. The usage of the terms CV and Resume can vary depending on what part of Canada you are in. Mostly in Quebec, the terms are used interchangeably. Outside of Quebec, it is used distinctly. Here, resumes are shorter, and tailored documents for job applications, while CVs are longer and general documents.
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Q. Should the Canadian CV be in a PDF or Word file format?
A. A PDF is the most recommended format for your CV. This helps your employer to open the document in any operating system or device. More importantly, it helps to retain your formatting and illustrations in place. It can also prevent getting edited by accident. However, you can keep a Word document if the recruiter specifies it.
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Q. What should I NOT include in a Canadian resume?
A. Adding certain details is not recommended while drafting a Canadian resume. This includes:
- Your Photo
- Personal Information like age or gender
- Ethnicity and religion
- Your Nationality
- Immigration status
- Political Affiliation
- Marital Status
- Social Insurance NumberThe above-mentioned information is not recommended in a resume, to prevent any discrimination you could face in a job market.
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Q. Is mentioning work experience in a CV compulsory in Canada?
A. A cover letter is primarily to introduce yourself to your employer. Although it is opted mostly for academic purposes, you can attach a CV even while applying for a job. Although a CV focuses on your educational achievements, you have to include your work details as well. This includes work experience, job roles, work duration, and skills you acquired through it.
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Q. Should I upload a CV or a Resume, while applying for a Canadian University?
A. While applying for a Canadian University, it is better to upload a CV. A cover letter is more appropriate for academic purposes. It focuses more on your educational achievements. This includes:
- Your educational qualifications
- Projects
- Internships
- Publications
- Certificates
- Scholarships
- Awards -
Q. What should I mention in a CV while looking for a research program in Canada?
A. While applying for a research program in Canada, you need to draft a well-structured and detailed cover letter. This has to specify your qualifications to attend a research program. This includes:
- Your Educational Qualifications
- Research Papers you did
- Projects related to the field
- Research Paper Publications
- Certificate courses related to your field
- Seminars or Conferences you participated in
- MPhil or any dissertation you have completed -
Q. What are the details to add to a resume for Canada?
A. Upon creating a resume for Canada, you will need to add the following details:
- Your complete name
- Contact information
- Work experience
- Work skills
- Educational qualifications
- Other achievements, like awards from certificate programs
- Languages
- Hobbies and interests -
Q. Can I create a Canadian-style cover letter online for free?
A. Yes, you can make your cover letters online for free. Some of the websites that provide free templates are:
- Abode
- Indeed
- Novoresume
- Canva
- Resume.io -
Q. How long is a good CV in Canada?
A. A good Canadian-style cover letter has to be 2-3 pages long. Although a cover letter is supposed to be longer than a resume, it is better to keep it concise. The general length of a cover letter is 2-3 pages in Canada. Try to include all the major details such as your educational background, work experience, skills, and other achievements within the cover letter.
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