Category: Living in Canada

3HK: An Affordable Data Plan With Global Roaming For Canadians!

Global roaming data plans by Canadian Network Providers can be quite expensive. If you try to look the plans offered by one of the major network providers in Canada, it is very likely that the plan is going to cost you a few hundred bucks a month! If you don’t believe me, just look at Telus/Rogers/Bell website!

Telus charges around CAD $15 per day for roaming in 190+ international destinations! That is quite expensive! On top of that it’s not unlimited data! Data limit is based on your current plan!

Telus Roaming Plan

Pricing for International Roaming from Rogers is same as well at $15 per day but limited to 185 countries compared to Telus which offers 190+ international destinations.

Rogers Roaming Plan Pricing

Turns out Bell offers the exact same pricing for international roaming on their plans! There is absolutely no difference in their offering.

Bell International Roaming Plan

While the 3 major telecom players in Canada offer the most expensive roaming plans, there is actually a provider that you could utilize and get global roaming at a very affordable price!

Three HK’s Plan Cost – Under CAD $50/Year

Believe it or not, but Three Hong Kong (3HK) offers a really good data plan that you could make use of. The price is very reasonable compared to any other network provider and it covers a number of countries! The Global Plan covers more than 100+ international destinations.

Three HK Travel Plan

I took the opportunity to test the plan out while on roaming and felt that the speed results were quite good. You would be able to stream and download heavy content without any issues.

Known issues with 3HK Global Roaming Plan

There are two things you should know about while using this data plan –

  • Since data is routed through Hong Kong, it might not be ideal to use it for work purposes. Please check with your organization if there would be any issues especially if you work with the government! If you are using the plan for personal consumption then you should be fine.
  • High latency! Since data is routed through Hong Kong you are going to have higher latency than other providers. If you are planning to do mobile gaming then you might run into issues depending on what location you are in.
  • A few websites might not be accessible.

How to get 3HK’s roaming plan?

You will have to either download an esim (if your phone supports one) or you will need to order a physical sim card. It can be a little tricky to get the physical sim card as 3HK doesn’t ship it outside Hong Kong but you can get it from eBay or other third party providers who will ship it to you without any issues.

You can checkout their plans here –
https://www.three.com.hk/prepaid/DIY/en/offer/travel

Note: Prices on their website are in Hong Kong Dollars

3HK Review

So far, I have been very happy with the service and have not had any issues using this service in the destinations covered by the plan.

Coverage is great and is actually better than even some of the local plans in the market as 3HK has deals with multiple providers in each country.

I have tested 3HK roaming plan in the United Kingdom, Canada, United States, India and Colombia! I have ended up saving a lot of money using this plan.

Rating – 9/10

How To Get Yourself An Apartment In Toronto? The Complete Guide!

When I moved to Toronto (Canada), I never thought it would be quite a challenging task to find myself an apartment. I had already lived out in multiple European and North American cities and wasn’t expecting any kind of issues finding an apartment. But to my surprise, finding an apartment is like looking for a job in this city!

While I knew that housing in Toronto was expensive, I wasn’t completely aware of the housing shortage in the city. What that means for you as a Tenant is that the landlords gets a ton of applications and can get extremely picky (sometimes discriminatory).

Documents Required

It would be handy for you to keep certain documents with you that will make it easier for you to apply for housing and get accepted.

When you apply for housing you will be asked for the following –

  • Proof of Income – This document could be a letter from your employer or your recent pay stubs. In case you are self-employed, you can use your tax returns as a document that proves your income.
  • Bank Statement – If you are a student or have no income then you can either obtain recent bank statements or a letter from your bank that proves you have enough funds to pay the rent.
  • Valid Photo ID – Landlords can ask you to provide a valid photo ID. You can use your Provincial Photo ID, Driver’s License, Permanent Residence and Passport.
  • Credit Report – In case you have been living in Canada, you will be asked to provide a credit report from Equifax or TransUnion.
  • Reference letter – This would be from your previous landlord or apartment. It would be good to keep their contact details handy as well.

Finding An Apartment

You can use Padmapper.com to find apartments in Toronto however to apply for an apartment you might need to go through a real estate agent. Usually when you send an email for a viewing, an agent will contact you.

Padmapper makes it easy to find apartments in Toronto

How to use Padmapper

  • Select what region you want to live – For example Toronto, Ontario
  • Filter listings based on budget, lease duration, bedrooms
  • View relevant listing and contact details

Alternatively you can also use Google Maps for finding apartments in the region.

Google Maps listing apartments in Toronto

A real estate agent can also help you in your search as they have access to the apartment listings in the city and can recommend you units based on your budget, and preference.

Long leasing Application Forms

Rental application forms can be quite long

Unlike many American cities where you can look up and even rent apartments online, Toronto still lags behind, and you might be able to find only limited places which will allow you to rent the unit through a website and make payments online.

Instead, you will need to view the unit first and then fill in an application each time you have to apply for a condo. Agents might accept the form through email.

Finding A Good Real Estate Agent

Usually when you contact for rental listings, you will find that many are represented by realtors. You can always ask them to show you more listings around the area.

A good real estate agent would usually do the following

  • Show you a number of listings
  • Will not force you to go for higher cost rentals
  • Will drive you around and show you the properties
  • Will not charge you any fees for helping in your search

If an agent insists you to bid up on your application or have an earlier move-in date than what you want, they might not be working in your best interests, and it is recommended that you look for another agent.

Making Rental Payments

Many places in Toronto require payment to be made through cheque

For payments, you will need to hand out a cheque or certified cheque or bank draft. You can always inquire if the agent/landlord would be willing to accept Electronic Fund Transfer (also called as Interac) instead of cheque.

Avoid paying in cash unless you already have a good relationship with the landlord and make sure to ask for receipts for payments made in such case.

What If You Don’t Have A Job Offer?

Having a job is not a requirement for housing however can make your application look strong. In case you don’t have a job offer, you can rely on your bank statements as proof of funds.

Other Things To Consider

Make sure you view the apartment before you put in your application. Some apartments can be really messy, in need of repairs or smell of smoke all the time.

If the apartments need repairs, do let the landlord know about it in written as they might be required by law to get those repairs done.

Discrimination Is Rampant

Don’t be surprised if your application gets rejected even if you have a job offer and good credit score. While laws against discrimination exist in Toronto (Ontario), they are not properly enforced and you will often end up getting discriminated directly or indirectly by landlords who own properties in Toronto.

If you get rejected, just move on and submit your application for another property.

Complaints for discrimination can be made through Tribunals Ontario.

Beware Of Scams

If you find a deal too good to be true, it might be a scam. Make sure to check the apartment beforehand, Avoid paying for anything in advance and make sure that the person you are dealing with is legit. You can search for them on Google/Facebook and see their reviews.

How To Exchange Ontario Driver’s License for Quebec’s?

If you have an Ontario Driving License and have moved to Quebec recently, you are legally required you to get your driving license exchanged.

You cannot exchange Ontario Driving License without an appointment
While you might think that you can go straight to SAAQ (Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec) and simply hand in your Ontario Driving License for a Quebec one, the process is a little more complicated than that.

Book an appointment for exchange of driving license

Booking an appointment

You will need to book an appointment to be able to exchange an out of province license for a Quebec one. Service is provided in both English and French.

Link for booking appointment with SAAQ – https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/make-appointment

They are going to ask you basic questions like your legal name, date of birth, what type of driving license you have, how long have you had it, and what province does it originate from.

Documents required by SAAQ

You will be required to provide certain documents to be able to exchange your Ontario Driving License for a Quebec Driving Permit. Here is a list of documents –

  • Ontario Driving License (Full Driving License)
  • Ontario Driving Record – You can obtain this document from ServiceOntario and it can be mailed to you.
  • Proof of Residence in Quebec
  • Proof of Canadian citizenship/residence

At the location, you will get your picture taken, will need to pay the driver license fee and will be issued a temporary paper document till you receive your license through mail.

Also if you haven’t done already, it might be good to update your address everywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make my payment?

SAAQ locations usually accept cash, cheque or debit card payments only. You might run into issues paying through a credit card.

What if I don’t have a Full Ontario Driving License?

If you have a G2 license from Ontario and have driven more than 2 years then you might be able to get a Full Quebec Driving License.

Can I show foreign driving experience if I have less than 2 years of experience on my Ontario G2 Driving License?

If you have driven previously in the United States then it can add up as driving experience and help you get a Full Quebec Driving License. You might be required to show your driving record from the foreign country that you have driven in.

How To Get An Apartment in Canada With No Job?

There can be a number of situations where you are looking for housing in Canada but do not have a job and don’t plan to have one for a while.

Some of those situations can be –

  • You have just moved to a new city
  • You have just moved to Canada
  • You are a student looking for housing

In all those cases you won’t be able to prove employment while applying for housing which is something that landlords or real estate agents will ask you for.

Do you need to have a job for housing?

While having a job can help you show a source of income to be able to pay for housing. You DO NOT need to have a job to apply for housing. As long as you can prove that you have the means to pay the rent, you should be able to secure housing in Canada.

Alternatives to proof of employment

Income is not the only way to prove your ability to pay rent, you can show the following as well –

  • Bank Statements – If you are able to show that you have enough funds to pay for the housing that should be sufficient enough.
  • Investment Accounts – Not everyone keeps their money in the bank. If you have a lot of money in your investment accounts, you could show the statement as evidence of your ability to pay the rent.
  • Benefit statements – If you are receiving regular benefits from the government and the amount is sufficient enough to pay for the rent.
  • Inheritance – If you are getting paid a significant sum on a regular basis, you can show that as a proof of income.
  • Sponsor (or co-applicant) – If you do not have enough funds then you need to seek a sponsor who would be willing to cover your payments.

Note that you can use multiple sources of funds as proof of your ability to pay the rent! For example – if you have multiple bank accounts or if you want to show both bank and investment accounts when applying for housing. Do let the landlord/agent know that you have attached multiple documents as sometimes they might miss what is going on while reviewing your housing application.

Who can sponsor for my housing application?

Usually people have their family members or close friends as sponsors on their housing application. Your sponsor will need to complete the following requirements for your housing application to be considered –

  • Housing application – Sponsor will need to have themselves listed on the housing application and will need to provide their personal details.
  • Sponsor’s proof of income – This can be sponsor’s employment letter or bank statements.
  • Letter from sponsor – It might be handy to keep a separate letter from Sponsor that they are willing to pay your rent and are liable for it.

What are the income requirements for sponsor?

The income requirements for a sponsor can vary depending on the housing, regulations in the area and but usually the annual income needs to be atleast between 24-36 times the rent.

So if you are looking for a $2000 per month apartments, you might be required to have an income of around $72000 per year to prove your ability to pay the rent.

What if landlord requires job for housing?

If you have shown enough funds to pay for housing and are rejected for not having a job. Depending on your situation, that might be grounds for discrimination.

For example, a person who just moved to Canada can’t be expected to have a job straightaway. You would need to report such incidence to the local authorities.

Other things to be aware of

Once your housing application is accepted, you would be asked to pay for the first month’s rent as well as a security deposit. Note that in some provinces like Quebec you are not required to have a security deposit and only the first month’s rent.

Make sure to ask the landlord/real estate agent how you can make the payments as some places might accept certified cheque only while other places would be okay with electronic fund transfers or even credit card payments!

If you are looking for apartments in Toronto region, then this guide on finding an apartment in Toronto region might beneficial for you as well.

How To Change Address In Quebec?

If you have recently moved in the Province of Quebec, you will need to notify the following authorities as soon as possible

  • Government of Canada
  • Government of Quebec
  • The Banks
  • Your Employer
  • Canada Post
  • Subscriptions and Utilities Providers

Update Address with Federal Government

This can be done either by calling them at Service Canada or by using the Service Canada Portal. I would recommend to go with the online portal as it’s very easy to use and you don’t have to wait a long time on the phone. To be able to use the service you would need to setup a My Service Canada account.

Link to Service Canada – https://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/

Alternatively you can also update your address through your CRA account.

Steps for updating address through CRA

  • Login to your CRA account.
  • Select profile on the portal
  • Select Edit contact information
  • Edit your mailing and home address
  • Review and submit

Update Address with Government of Quebec

The easiest way to update your address after moving is to use the online service that is offered by Quebec. It’s called SQCA (Service québécois de changement d’adresse) and is a one stop portal to update and notify different government departments regarding your address change.

Link to the Change of Address service for Quebec – https://www.adresse.gouv.qc.ca/

Steps for updating address through SQCA –

  • Start Quebec Change of Address Service
  • Select what services need to be updated
  • Enter your Identification details
  • Enter Former Address
  • Enter New Home Address
  • Enter Mailing Address
  • Review and Submit

If you have moved from another province then for your driving license you would need to book an appointment with SAAQ.

Update Address With Banks

There isn’t a one stop portal to do this however you would need to let whichever bank/credit card provider that you are signed up with that you have changed your address.

Here’s the link for the major Canadian Banks –

Update Address With Your Employer

A lot of people forget to notify their employers of an address change and this causes their important documents like tax and benefits to be sent at the wrong address.

Setup Mail Forwarding With Canada Post

Canada Post offers a mail forwarding service that you can utilize. There is a fee for using the service but if you are expecting to receive important mails, then it is recommended that you sign up for it before your move.

Link to the Canada Post portal – https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/

Notify Subscriptions and Utility Providers

In Quebec the Utility Provider for Electricity is Hydro Quebec, so you would need to notify them regarding the address change. Their link is https://www.hydroquebec.com/

You will also need to update address with whoever you have your phone connection. Most people have their phone plans with the following companies –

Also There is a chance that your payments for purchases might get rejected if your address has changed, so it is recommended that you keep it in sync with your current address. Sometimes, the credit card companies allow payments to go through but it can sting if your mobile payment doesn’t go through and now you are out of network.

Hopefully this will make your move a lot more easier! 🙂

Beginner’s Guide To Skiing At Sommet Edelweiss Ski Resort

Sommet Edelweiss Ski Resort

Sommet Edelweiss is a ski resort located not too from the Ottawa-Gatineau region. Depending on where you live in the Ottawa metro, it could be anywhere between a 30-45 minute drive.

In this guide, I have tried to provide all the necessary information that you might need to begin skiing at Sommet Edelweiss.

What To Wear For Skiing?

People wearing winter clothing and with their ski gear at Edelweiss

The conditions at the Summit are not only just cold but windy as well, so I recommend that before you head there, you are wearing proper winter clothing. Here is what you should be wearing –

  • A balaclava or neck warmer
  • Thermal tops and pants – Warm innerwear
  • Cold weather socks
  • Ski pants – These are waterproof/windproof lined pants
  • Windproof/Waterproof Winter Jacket
  • Windproof/Winterproof gloves
  • Sunscreen for your face
HotHands hand warmers in gloves

Some gloves have pockets for handwarmers to be placed. This can help keep your gloves warm during cold weather for a few hours while you are skiing.

A head warmer like a beanie won’t be needed if you are wearing a helmet.

Do I Need To Have My Own Ski Gear?

It is possible to rent ski gear from the ski resort. Unless you are planning to take skiing as a hobby, I do not recommend that you buy your ski gear. For a one-time event, it is a lot cheaper to just rent ski gear from the resort.

Your ski gear should consist of –

  • Pair of skis
  • Ski boots
  • Helmet – It is recommended that you wear one for safety
  • Ski Poles (Optional)

Unless you are going for the fast moving slopes, you won’t need to have ski goggles. Though they can also help you if it’s going to be sunny.

Photo: people wearing their ski gear

Before handing your skis, the staff working at Edelweiss are going to adjust the skis based on your weight and height. Make sure that the height/weight information that they have about you on file is correct. If you own your ski gear then the staff can do the tune-ups for a fee.

Make sure that your ski boots are fastened properly. If the boots are too loose then there is a chance that your feet might come out while skiing and there is a higher risk of injuring yourself as well.

Lockers at Edelweiss resort

There are lockers available at Edelweiss Ski Resort and if you plan to use them I recommend that you bring dollar coins with you to lock your stuff. I didn’t have any coins with me so I just put my stuff without locking it up and noticed a lot of other people were doing the same.

Is It Worth Going For Ski Lessons?

Yes, if you have never skied before or are new to skiing, then it is recommended that you sign up for ski lessons. I personally found the ski lessons very useful. I have done skiing before without an instructor and found it quite hard and scary, however when I did it with the instructor, it was much easier and I wasn’t terrified like before.

Instructor teaching how to go downhill

Here is what beginner ski lessons will teach you –

  • Going uphill with your skis
  • Coming down safely
  • How to get up with your skis
  • How to change direction
  • How to slow down and turn
  • How to stop

Even if you are in a group, the instructors are able to give you individual attention.

Do I Have To Make Reservations?

It is recommended that you book your rental/classes in advance. This can be done by calling the resort a few days before your visit. During peak season, there can be really long lines at guest services.

If you do not book your lessons, you might be able to join other classes on arrival or if there are instructors available for your group.

Busy day at Summit Edelweiss

Is There Any Restaurant At Sommet Edelweiss?

Yes, they do have hot food and drinks available. I found the food relatively affordable compared to other restaurants in the region which can be quite pricey.

The cafeteria has the following items: hamburgers, hotdogs, pizza, fries, poutine. Menu items might change depending on timing and season.

Restaurant Edelweiss

Additional Information

  • Pricing: 2 hour lessons with rental will cost about $100 per adult.
  • You can also take snowboarding lessons
  • Make sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before your rental/lessons begin
  • It might be a good idea to moisturize your hands/face beforehand.
  • Parking is free at the resort
  • The official website for advanced bookings is Sommets.

Address: 538 Ch Edelweiss, Wakefield, QC J0X 3G0

How To Write Proof Of Income Letter For Housing In Canada?

If you are looking to apply for housing, most landlords or apartments will ask you to provide them with a proof of income letter from the employer.

I have listed the requirements below that usually landlords/apartments look for while reviewing a person’s income.

Get the letter on company letterhead!
Make sure to get the letter on the company’s letterhead. A letterhead usually consists of the company’s logo, name, address, and contact information.

Employer Name
Don’t forget to include the name of the company that you work for!

Employer Contact Details
This could be your manager or someone from HR whom the property agent can contact if they need to verify your employment. Contact details will include – Person’s name; Phone number; Email address.

Employee Name
Make sure to have your name listed on the letter! Otherwise, your application is going to end up being rejected!

Your Monthly/Annual Income
You should have the amount that you earn on a monthly or annual basis listed on your letter! If getting paid in US Dollars or currency other than Canadian Dollars, it might be better to have it clearly mentioned as the person reviewing the letter might not notice. If possible get the amount written in Canadian Dollars straight away!

Job Title
It’s good to have a job title listed in the letter even though the focus is mainly on the income that you would be making as part of your employment.

Employment Period
You should have the employment period listed in your letter or if you haven’t started yet then the start date must be listed.

Sample Proof of Income Letter
Here is a sample employment letter that you can use –
<Date>
<Employer Name>
<Employer Address>
<Employer Phone>
To whom it may concern,
<Your Name> has been employed full-time with <Employer Name> since <Date> and has been working as <Job Title>. <Your Name> gross monthly compensation is <Your income> Dollars.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact <HR contact details>
Sincerely,
<Signature>
<HR/Manager>

The above sample letter should be sufficient to apply for rental applications. You can always ask the landlord/agent if they have any additional requirements.

Get your proof of income letter translated in French!
If you are applying for housing in Quebec or New Brunswick, you might need to have the letter in French if the landlord or agent does not speak English. If your employer can’t provide the letter in French, you can get the documents translated and provide the translated document with the original document.

3 Great Spots In Aylmer Quebec For Hot And Spicy Wings!

You don’t necessarily need to leave Aylmer to have some of the most delicious chicken wings! Here are some Aylmer restaurants that have the best hot and spicy wings –

Bistro L’Autre Oeil

Address: 103 Chem. Eardley, Gatineau, QC J9H 4K7
Business Website – https://www.bistrolao.com/

Spicy KAO wings at Bistro Lao

If you are seeking the most delicious wings in Aylmer then Bistro L’Autre Oeil would be the place to go! Order their Kao Spicy Wings which are hot and spicy. They are probably one of the best hot wings I have had so far in the Ottawa-Gatineau metro area. They do have half priced wings sometimes going on as well so check with the restaurant on their specials when you are headed there.

  • Bistro
  • Casual upscale dining experience
  • Service in French and English
  • Most flavorful hot wings

Bistro 129

Address: 129 Principale St, Gatineau, Quebec J9H 3M5
Business Website – https://www.bistromexicana129.com/

Suicide Wings at Bistro Mexicana 129

Bistro 129 has suicide wings that I think have the highest heat level of all the hot chicken wings that I have tried in Aylmer so far! I recommend that you have these with the ranch dressing to cool yourself off a bit. The Chicken wings also come in Red Hot, Barbecue, Honey Garlic, Honey Chipotle flavors if you feel like you can’t handle the heat.

  • Mexican cuisine
  • Casual upscale dining experience
  • Service in French, English and Spanish
  • Ideal for large gatherings
  • Hottest wings

Ouest Wings

Address: 103 Chem. Eardley, Gatineau, QC J9H 4K7
Business Website – https://ouest-wings.business.site/

Curry Pineapple Wings at Ouest Wings Aylmer

Ouest Wings is a surprisingly small takeout restaurant that has become popular among the Aylmer community for its variety of hot wings! They do have a number of wing flavors that you would not find at other restaurants in Gatineau, some of them being – Curry Pineapple, G Tao, Piri Piri rub, Fuego, Baja Chipotle and more! If you’re not into hot wings, the restaurant does have a few other food menu items, including empanadas, chips, and burgers. Apparently, Ouest Wings is open on a seasonal basis and is closed during winters! If you are headed there, make sure the business is open!

  • Takeout oriented restaurant / Patio dining available
  • Service in French, English and Spanish
  • Closed during winter season
  • Budget friendly restaurant
  • Wide variety of chicken wing flavors

If you are looking for other options in Ottawa Metro for hot wings, you should definitely checkout Chez Lucien which is located close to the Byward Market area in Ottawa.

3 Restaurants Absolutely Worth Visiting In Aylmer Quebec!

Despite being a small town, Aylmer has no shortage of quality international cuisine! Here are 3 Aylmer restaurants that you should definitely visit –

Restaurant Antonyme

Address: 150 Principale St, Gatineau, Quebec J9H 3M4
Business website – https://restaurant-antonyme.ca/

Drumstick Lolli at Restaurant Antonyme

If you love French and Spanish cuisine then you must visit Restaurant Antonyme! This restaurant offers a very nice/cozy atmosphere which is ideal for date nights or hanging out with a small group of family or close friends. I think it’s one of the best restaurants in Aylmer and the prices for the meals are not that high either. I had the opportunity to have the Drumstick Lolli at this place and it was delicious!

  • French cuisine
  • Fine Dining Experience
  • Impressive Food Presentation
  • Elegant decor
  • Ideal for dinner dates
  • Service in French and English

Sushi Haru Haru

Address: 181 Principale St, Gatineau, Quebec J9H 6J9

Sushi Haru Haru (Aylmer)

Located in the Galeries Aylmer shopping mall, Sushi Haru Haru is probably one of the best sushi shops that you will find in the Aylmer region. While I wasn’t impressed with their dining area, their quality of sushi is amazing and people working there are quite friendly as well, making sure that you are enjoying what you are having! This sushi restaurant has Korean founders so don’t be surprised if you see Korean food items on their menu!

  • Japanese/Korean Cuisine
  • Sushi Restaurant
  • Casual Dining Experience / Takeout oriented
  • Simple decor
  • Service in French, English and Korean (if owners are there)

Amazonas Peruvian Restaurant

Address: 19 Chem. Eardley, Gatineau, QC J9H 4J8
Business website: https://www.amazonasrestaurant.com/

Amazonas Peruvian Restaurant

For a small town like Aylmer, you might not think that they won’t have excellent Peruvian cuisine but you would be surprised how good food is here at Amazonas Peruvian Restaurant. I recommend you guys to head to this restaurant when they have their special unlimited buffet going on, and get their ceviche’s which will offer you the best bang for your buck!

  • Service in French, English and Spanish
  • Offers occasional buffets
  • Casual Dining Experience
  • Simple decor
  • Latin American cuisine (Peruvian)

Most restaurants in Aylmer can serve you in both French and English. If you don’t speak French then you can always ask them for the menu in English.

Tips To Prepare Your Resume For Canada!

You can increase the chances of getting a job in Canada by increasing the chance of securing an interview! Follow these tips to have a strong resume that lures HR professionals to get in touch with you!

Make it a one-page resume!

Stick to a one-page resume. It’s very rare for a recruiter to go through page one of a resume, so you need to make sure whatever work experience and skills you have on that one page!

If you are not able to fit everything on the page, here are some suggestions that can help you fit everything on one page

  • Make full use of whatever space is available on the resume.
  • Reduce font size – without affecting readability.
  • Focus on having more descriptions for recent jobs.

Have your contact details on your resume!

A lot of people forget to put their contact details on the resume before sending it off to a prospective employer. Make sure you have the following on your resume –

  • Name – Your Full name. It is okay to use your Nickname instead of First Name.
  • Phone – Phone number where the recruiter can contact you. If it’s an international phone number. Make sure to include the country code.
  • Address – Your exact address in the country. If you are living abroad, it’s still fine to keep it and let the recruiter know when they contact you about your intention to move for work.
  • Email – Email address where the recruiter can contact you.

Where to put your contact details?

Ideally they should be at the top of your resume.

Remove motivation or personal statement

The recruiter knows you are looking for a job and adding a personal statement is considered unnecessary.

You might add this if you don’t have any experience but if you do have experience in your field then it might be better to highlight your skills, experience rather than the personal statement.

Move Work Experience to the top

If you have work experience, then your education should follow afterwards on your resume. Otherwise, a recruiter having a quick glimpse of your resume might think that you don’t have work experience or are still studying. Even if you are currently studying, you should keep your work experience to the top.

Make sure you emphasize on Job Titles

A common mistake people make is that they put the company name in bold but not what their role was. Employers are usually more interested in what you worked as rather than at what company you were working for.

Having relevant job titles to the position you applied for, can increase your chances of getting an interview with the company.

Optimize your Job Titles

If your job title on the resume was ‘Associate’ or ‘Intern’ that doesn’t really tell anyone what you worked as. But if you have put in a ‘Project Coordinator’ or ‘Industrial Engineering Intern’, the recruiter can get a good idea of what you worked as before. Make sure to update your titles.

Optimize the job description for each job position you work for!

  • Explain what you achieved/delivered during the role that you worked in.
  • It’s great to mention all the skills that you utilized/acquired during the role.
  • Limit job description to 2-5 lines with more lines for the recent job.

Do mention your post-secondary education!

A mistake that a lot of people make when they have international post-secondary education (associates, bachelors, masters, PhD) is that they remove it from their resume! This can reduce value to your prospective employer.

If you don’t have much experience on your resume, you should put up a description on what academic projects you worked on, and also what courses you completed during your education as well!

Additional courses and certifications completed!

If you self-taught yourself something that you think can be of value, do add it to your resume! A lot of the jobs in the market are remote these days and employers are always interested in folks who can learn on their own.

Mention your French-speaking skills

If you are able to converse in French, you should mention that in your resume as Canada has a lot of opportunities for French speakers and even more for folks who are bilingual in French and English!

Don’t forget to spell check!

Before you start sending your resume off to employers, you should make sure to review your resume again and fix any grammatical mistakes that you might have in your resume.

Save your resume in PDF format

Your resume should be in PDF format. Avoid sending it in another format as the recruiter might not have office software on their end to open files in another format.