Certified Résumé Strategist (CRS) Credential

This program is open to all résumé writers, employment consultants, and career coaches who serve the Canadian labour market. If you are a résumé writer or if you provide strategic advice on résumé writing, you are a potential candidate for the Certified Résumé Strategist (CRS) credential.

CPC is a welcoming and inclusive community. If you are starting out in the profession and would like to earn your CRS, start with the Advanced Résumé Development course.

Once you attain your CRS you can add the credential next to your name. You can include the CRS logo on your résumé, business card, website, and anywhere you want to gain additional visibility as an expert and specialist in the field.

You can use your CRS to:

• Advertise your expertise and market your services.
• Show additional value to employers and clients.
• Feature your credentials on your own résumé.

Watch our CPC Certification Information Session video to learn more about attaining your designations.

The CRS is the only Canadian standard for validating the expertise of résumé writers and other professionals providing strategic résumé advice. The CRS certification was designed by Career Professionals of Canada and validated by an independent group of industry leaders in academia and providers of career services.

• The CRS is recognized by Canadian career service providers in government, academic, not-for-profit, outplacement, and private business settings.
• Résumé and employment services feature the CRS logo on their website and marketing material to give clients confidence that they are working with a credentialed practitioner.

In order to apply for and attain your Certified Résumé Strategist (CRS), you must be a registered professional member of Career Professionals of Canada. If you are not already a member, you can join membership and register for your certification at the same time.

To obtain your Certified Résumé Strategist (CRS) designation you must have a minimum of 1 year full-time (or equivalent part-time) paid qualifying work experience in résumé development. The process is straightforward:

1. Join CPC Membership.
2. Register and pay the certification application fee.
3. Study the material in the eGuide or take an approved course.
4. Submit your application within 12 months of applying for certification. Include your résumé and, if you have passed an approved course with a minimum grade of 80%, your transcript/certificate of completion.
5. Pass an assessment of your submission.

To apply and keep your certification, you need to maintain a current membership with Career Professionals of Canada.

To prepare for your certification, you will be sent a comprehensive Certification Study Guide (The Canadian Résumé Strategist e-book).

This guide is a valuable resource. It thoroughly discusses current concepts and strategies to enable you to produce outstanding résumés. By following this guide, you will learn how and when to apply various techniques to enable your clients to succeed in their career endeavours.

The knowledge you will acquire by studying this guide will be an asset throughout your career.

Our Advanced Résumé Development Course (CDP-105) provides advanced strategic principles and technical practices for resumes and cover letter writing for the Canadian market. You will learn to help your clients capture attention with highly customized résumés.

If you have completed CPC’s Advanced Résumé Development Certificate Program (CDP-105) or if you have attained a certificate or diploma in an approved course in résumé development (45 hours minimum), you may be granted your CRS recognition through the Course-Based process.

You may be eligible for the CRS if you have a minimum of one year's experience in résumé development and have successfully completed an approved advanced strategic résumé development certificate or diploma course (45 hours minimum).

To obtain and maintain your Certified Résumé Strategist (CRS) designation, you must:

• Register for membership and pay the Certified Résumé Strategist (CRS) application fee.
• Have a minimum of 1 year full-time (or equivalent part-time) paid qualifying work experience in résumé development.
• Submit a copy of your course transcript or certificate of completion, along with a copy of your résumé.

After completing your self-assessment, if you have determined that you may be eligible for certification, you may request pre-approval of your eligibility for the course-based process. Email a copy of your course transcript and/or certificate of completion, along with a copy of your résumé directly to Certification@CareerProCanada.ca.

The Master Certified Résumé Strategist (MCRS) credential is the exclusive standard reserved only for the top strategists in our industry.

Once you have attained your Certified Résumé Strategist (CRS), you can work towards your Master Level (M-Level).

In order to apply for and attain your certification, you must be a registered professional member of Career Professionals of Canada.

To start the CRS process, all you need to do is:

• Register for CPC Membership
• Apply for your CRS Certification

If you are joining CPC as a new member, you can apply for membership and register for your certification at the same time through the CPC Application Form. If you are already a member, just email us to apply for your CRS Certification.