What to Leave Off Your Resume in Canada

Jobsa team · Resumes in Canada

Resume norms vary more across countries than most people realize. Details that are completely standard in one country's job market can read as unusual — or even work against you — in Canada. Here's what to leave out.

A photo

In much of Continental Europe, parts of Asia, and the Middle East, including a headshot is standard practice. In Canada, it isn't — and including one can actually introduce unconscious bias risk that most employers would rather avoid entirely. Leave it off.

Date of birth and age

Age isn't relevant to job qualification, and Canadian human rights legislation discourages employers from asking about it during hiring for exactly that reason. There's no upside to volunteering it.

Marital status, number of children, or family details

Common on resumes in some regions, but not expected or useful in Canada — and like age, it opens the door to bias that has nothing to do with your ability to do the job.

Your Social Insurance Number

Never include your SIN on a resume. Legitimate employers only need it once you're actually hired, for payroll purposes — not during an application.

Salary history, unless specifically asked

Some postings will ask for salary expectations directly; if so, answer that specifically in a cover letter or application field, not on the resume itself. Volunteering it unprompted can unnecessarily limit your negotiating position later.

Full street address

City and province is enough. A full home address isn't necessary for a resume and offers no benefit to including.

Religious or political affiliations

Unless directly and obviously relevant to the specific role (rare), these details introduce risk without any corresponding benefit to your application.