Résumé example
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Backend developer with 5 years of experience building APIs and services in PHP/Laravel and Python. Cares about performance, testing and clean code.
Skills
PHP / Laravel · Python · REST APIs · PostgreSQL and MySQL · Redis and queues · AWS
Experience
- Built an API handling 2M requests a day with 99.95% uptime
- Cut slow query response times by 70% with indexing and caching
- Raised test coverage from 40% to 85%
Languages
French: [level] · English: [level] — [test result, e.g. DELF B2, if you have one]
Education
[Diploma or degree], [School], [City, Province] — [Year]
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Write your profile
Your profile is the first thing employers read. In 2–3 lines, say what you do, your years of experience, your strongest skills and what you're known for. Match it to the job you're applying for.
Skills to list
Employers and applicant tracking systems look for these skills. Include the ones you really have, using the same words as the job posting.
Show achievements, not just duties
Turn each duty into a result. Start with an action verb, add a number, and say what changed.
Duty
- Design and build APIs and backend services
- Design and optimize database schemas and queries
- Write automated tests and review code
Achievement
- Built an API handling 2M requests a day with 99.95% uptime
- Cut slow query response times by 70% with indexing and caching
- Raised test coverage from 40% to 85%
- Show real projects with code samples.
- Explain the problems you solved, not only the technologies used.
- In some provinces "engineer" is a protected title, so many job ads say "developer"; search both.
Bilingual résumé tips
Give your languages their own section
List each language with your level for speaking, reading and writing, for example "French: native · English: advanced (speaking and writing)". Add any test results, such as DELF B2, TEF or a federal Second Language Evaluation.
Have a version in each language
Send your résumé in the language of the job posting, and keep a version in your other language ready. A well-written second version is proof of your skills in itself.
Show languages at work
Don't just list them; show them in your experience, for example "Served 60+ clients a day in French and English" or "Translated training materials from English to French".
Canadian résumé rules
Do
- Keep it to 1 page early in your career, and 2 pages at most for most jobs
- List your most recent job first (reverse chronological order)
- Start with a short profile: 2–3 lines on who you are and what you offer
- Show results with numbers: money saved, targets beaten, people led
- Use the keywords from the job posting so applicant tracking systems find you
- Give your city and province instead of your full address
- List your languages and level, for example English (fluent), French (intermediate)
- Save it as a PDF or Word file with a clear name, like Firstname-Lastname-Resume.pdf
Don't include
- A photo
- Your age or date of birth
- Marital status, children or family details
- Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Religion, nationality, health or other personal details
- Salary history
- Tables, columns or images that applicant tracking systems can't read
- "References available on request" — bring a separate reference list instead
Education from outside Canada
Add the Canadian equivalent next to foreign credentials, for example "Bachelor of Commerce (assessed as equivalent to a Canadian bachelor's degree)". An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from an organization such as WES helps employers understand your education. For regulated jobs, contact the provincial regulator.
Applying in Quebec?
Most Quebec employers work in French, so a French résumé (often called a CV) is usually expected. If the job asks for both languages, have both versions ready.
Résumé or CV?
In Canada, "résumé" is the usual word for a 1–2 page job application document. "CV" often means a longer academic or medical record, but many people, including Bilingo, use the two words the same way.
Write a short cover letter
Three short paragraphs: why this job, what you bring (with one example), and a thank-you. Use Canadian spelling, like "centre" and "labour".
More résumé examples
Put your résumé to work
Upload it to your free Bilingo profile so employers can see it when you apply.
