There are differences in the hiring process between the USA, Canada, and Australia, which should be considered by job seekers from different locations. The USA and Canada have one of the fastest hiring processes, with more qualified candidates being attracted on average. Canada has stricter rules regarding the questions employers can ask candidates. In the United States, in turn, an employer can dismiss an employee for any reason, with or without reason, without prior notice.
The requirements and favorite resume format for ATSs vary from country to country. This is due to the specifics of configuring ATS systems and employers' resume requirements. In the USA, ATS systems scan resumes to determine if an application meets the job requirements. In Canada, ATS systems automatically scan resumes, ranking candidates based on relevance. In Australia, ATS systems automatically scan resumes, ranking candidates based on relevance. Local pages give tips on the labor market of a particular city/state.
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Locations by Region
REGION 1 — USA: Major Cities
There are particular differences between the labor markets of large US cities in employment structure, unemployment rate, and wages: tech (SF/Seattle), corporate (NYC), energy (Houston), government (Washington), finance (Miami), and logistics (Phoenix). When developing resumes for local jobs, you should be aware that they differ in tone, skills, and keywords to make the candidate seen among other applicants.
REGION 2 — USA: Additional Cities
In large US cities, there are differences in the structure of labor markets: manufacturing, logistics hubs, tourism cities, and government-heavy states. A resume for the regional labor market in large U.S. cities should be concise, focus on professional experience and skills, and be tailored to a specific position. American hiring managers value specific achievements demonstrated in numbers rather than detailed descriptions. The pages provide local advice on job trends and skills that are valued in specific cities.
REGION 3 — CANADA
Canadian resumes differ from the documents that are common in other countries in the following: format and content, bilingual requirements, government-heavy hiring, structured CVs, and market specifics of Toronto/Calgary/Vancouver. Canadian employers are guided by the principles of equality and non-discrimination, and unnecessary personal information should not be presented. A Canadian resume is an extended, voluminous description of your abilities and experience. Therefore, keep in mind that in order to correctly reflect your professionalism in the Canadian labor market, you should familiarize yourself with a number of tips and recommendations.
REGION 4 — AUSTRALIA
The Australian labor market is characterized by the regulation of labor relations, the specifics of the wage system, the forms of employment, and the role of migration. The Aussie CV is usually structured in reverse chronological order. This allows you to focus on the work history, and the sections related to education and skills usually go below. Australia has regional hiring trends that depend on the economic situation and the needs of industries (Perth = mining, Sydney = corporate).
Why Local Resume Insights Matter
Local Resume Insights are important because they help you create a document that meets the requirements of employers and the labor market in a particular field. This is important because a resume is a business card of an applicant, and it depends on whether the candidate will be hired or not. The following aspects are important to understand the significance of local resume insights:
- Different hiring patterns in different regions of the world vary in their approaches to finding employees, selection methods, and candidate requirements.
- Different formats and ATS support a centralized hiring pattern in a single region or team, focus on local job boards, internal processes, and compliance with requirements specific to a single country or market.
- Local skills → higher response. The more keywords there are in a resume, the better the search results and matching with the company's database will be.
- Resumes should take into account competition and the market because employers can be more selective in choosing a candidate.
- Local examples of resumes are important to consider all the nuances of developing a powerful job tool.
Micro-case
The candidate from Atlanta/Calgary/Perth improved the resume by adding local skills and specific achievements → improved the possibility of being selected by an ATS system → increased the response from potential employers → got more chances for an interview at the desired company.
FAQ
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Do resume requirements differ by city or region?
Yes, resume requirements may vary depending on the city or region. Employers in the United States value conciseness and focus, and resumes should be tailored to a specific job. Job seekers in Canada prefer concise but informative resumes emphasizing professional qualities. In Australia, a CV must meet specific standards regarding format, content, and language.
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What if my city isn’t listed here?
If your city is not listed, you can use the search function to find the closest match. You can also contact online support to help locate an author from your city or a specialist familiar with its job market. This is a common request and never a problem.
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Are local keywords important for ATS?
Yes, local keywords are important for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). These systems scan resumes for keywords that match the job description. If your document lacks relevant keywords, it may be filtered out before reaching a recruiter. When applying to a specific city or region, always include appropriate local keywords to improve visibility.
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Can I use a city page even if I live nearby?
Yes, you can use city-based job pages even if you live in a nearby area. You can also explore local communities, social media groups, shopping centers, cafes, and office buildings, where many employers post job announcements. Location filters on job platforms also help you find vacancies close to home.
If you want guidance aligned with your local job market, our editors can highlight skills and achievements that matter to recruiters in your region.
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Content verified for accuracy and up-to-date hiring standards by editors with HR and recruitment experience.
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