HomeBlogATS Resume Tips for Canadian Jobs — How to Pass the Screen
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ATS Tips📖 6 min read📅 March 10, 2025

ATS Resume Tips for Canadian Jobs — How to Pass the Screen

Over 75% of Canadian employers use ATS software. Learn exactly how to format your resume, which keywords to use and how to score 90+ on any ATS checker.

ATSKeywordsResumeCanada

What is ATS and Why Does It Matter?

ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System. It is software used by most Canadian employers to automatically screen and sort resumes before a human reviewer sees them. Studies show that over 75% of resumes are rejected by ATS before reaching a hiring manager.

How ATS Works

When you submit your resume online, the ATS:

1. Reads and parses your resume text

2. Extracts keywords, skills and experience

3. Compares them to the job posting requirements

4. Assigns a match score

5. Ranks your resume against other applicants

6. Only the top-scoring resumes reach a human reviewer

How to Optimize Your Resume for ATS

1. Use exact keywords from the job posting

Copy the exact terms used in the job posting. If the job says "PLC troubleshooting" use exactly that — not "PLC repair" or "programmable logic controller maintenance."

2. Use standard section headings

  • Work Experience (not "My Career" or "Professional Journey")
  • Education (not "Academic Background")
  • Skills (not "What I Know")
  • 3. Use a clean simple format

  • No tables, text boxes or columns
  • No headers or footers with important information
  • No images or graphics
  • No special characters or symbols in section titles
  • 4. Include certifications and licences

    Canadian employers search for specific certifications. Always list them clearly:

  • 433A, 309A, 306A for trades
  • WHMIS 2015, Working at Heights for all industries
  • AZ Class 1, CVOR for truck drivers
  • PSW Certificate, CPR-C for healthcare
  • 5. Quantify your achievements

    ATS and human reviewers both respond well to numbers:

  • "Reduced downtime by 40%"
  • "Managed team of 12 workers"
  • "Processed 400+ orders per shift"
  • ATS Score Guide

  • **90–100:** Excellent — very likely to pass screening
  • **75–89:** Good — likely to pass most ATS systems
  • **60–74:** Fair — may pass some systems, needs improvement
  • **Below 60:** Poor — likely to be rejected automatically
  • Check Your ATS Score Free

    Use Resumefy's free ATS checker to see your exact score and get specific suggestions to improve it.

    Try it free at resumefy.ca/ats-checker

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    Ready to Build Your Canadian Resume?

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