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US resume (American CV): format, rules and examples
In the US, most employers ask for a resume (not an “American CV”). A US CV usually means an academic CV (research, publications, teaching). This page is for a standard US resume for jobs in the United States.
US resume at a glance
- Length: 1 page is standard (2 pages is fine for senior/technical roles with strong impact).
- Paper size: US Letter (8.5×11) is the default; A4 is acceptable digitally, but Letter is safer.
- Photo: do not include a photo.
- Header info: name, phone, email, city + state, LinkedIn/portfolio. No full address needed.
- Focus: achievements + numbers (impact-driven bullets).
- References: not on the resume (and skip “References available upon request”).
What makes a US resume “US”
- Resume ≠ CV: “CV” is typically academic; most job applications want a resume.
- Strictly job-relevant content: avoid personal details and anything not needed for the job.
- Results-first writing: bullets should show outcomes (metrics, scope, efficiency, revenue, quality).
- ATS-aware: mirroring job-description keywords (naturally) matters more than fancy design.
Recommended US resume structure
Keep it simple and recruiter-friendly. Use the order below unless a job posting or your background suggests otherwise.
Option A (most common)
- Header (contact info)
- Professional summary (2–4 lines)
- Work experience
- Skills (hard skills, tools, keywords)
- Education
- Certifications / Projects / Awards (if relevant)
Option B (students / graduate / internship)
- Header
- Summary or Objective (1–2 lines)
- Education (higher on the page)
- Projects (coursework, personal, volunteering)
- Experience (internships, part-time, volunteering)
- Skills
US resume header: what to include (and what to skip)
Include (US-friendly essentials)
- First name + last name
- Phone (with country code if applying from abroad)
- Email (professional)
- City, State (e.g., Austin, TX)
- LinkedIn / portfolio / GitHub (role-dependent)
- Work authorization (optional, only if it prevents confusion: “Authorized to work in the US”)
Skip (typical US resume “no-go” items)
- Photo
- Full street address
- Date of birth / age
- Marital status / family status
- Nationality (unless needed to clarify work authorization)
- Any ID numbers (social security, passport, etc.)
US resume sections: what to write (the US-specific way)
US resumes are evaluated fast. Each section should earn its space with proof: outcomes, scope, and keywords that match the role. Use the guidance below to keep your resume job-focused, ATS-friendly, and impact-driven.
Professional summary (US style)
A US summary is a short “value proposition”: role + specialization + proof + target. It should read like a confident snapshot, not a biography.
- Good summary formula: “Role + years/level + specialty + 1–2 proof points + target role/industry.”
- Avoid: vague traits without evidence (“hard-working”, “team player”) unless backed by outcomes.
Objective (when it makes sense)
Use an objective only if you’re a student, career changer, or relocating and you need to clarify your target role fast.
Work experience: the US way
US recruiters expect achievement bullets. Aim for 3–6 bullets per role, prioritizing measurable impact and scope.
Bullet structure that works
- Action verb + what you did + how + result (metric, scope, speed, quality).
- Include tools/stack where relevant (especially for tech, marketing, data, ops).
What “good proof” looks like
- Numbers: revenue, cost savings, conversion rate, cycle time, uptime, defects, throughput.
- Scope: team size, regions, account size, users, budget, volumes.
- Ownership: led, built, launched, automated, redesigned, negotiated.
Education (US conventions)
Include degree, school, location, and graduation date (or expected date). For juniors, add relevant coursework and projects; for experienced profiles, keep it short.
- Degree — University, City, State
- Dates: “May 2025” or “2021–2025” (pick one style and stay consistent)
- Optional: GPA (only if strong and early-career), honors, scholarships
- Optional: relevant coursework (2–6 items max)
Skills (keywords + proof)
Skills lists are most effective when they match the job description and stay concrete.
- Hard skills / tools: software, methods, platforms, frameworks
- Role keywords: terms used in the job posting (naturally aligned)
- Soft skills: only if paired with evidence in your experience bullets
Projects (high-impact for students and career changers)
Projects can replace “missing experience” if you show outcomes and tech/tools used.
- Project name + 1 line context + 2–3 bullets (what you built + result + stack)
- Link to portfolio/GitHub when relevant
Certifications and training
- List cert name, issuer, and year (keep it tidy)
- Prioritize certifications that are recognized in US hiring for your role
References (US rule)
Do not put references on the resume. Prepare a separate reference list and provide it only when asked.
Copy-and-adapt US resume examples
Header example
Jordan Taylor
Austin, TX • (512) 555-0199 • jordan.taylor@email.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jordantaylor • Portfolio: jordantaylor.dev
Professional summary example
Digital Marketing Specialist with 3+ years’ experience driving SEO growth and conversion improvements for B2C sites. Led content and on-page optimizations that increased organic traffic by 42% and improved key landing-page conversion by 18%. Seeking a performance-focused role in growth marketing.
Work experience example
Digital Marketing Specialist — Agency X, Austin, TX
06/2022 – Present
- Increased organic traffic by 42% in 9 months by rebuilding content briefs, internal linking, and on-page optimization across 60+ pages.
- Improved landing-page conversion rate by 18% through A/B testing roadmap, analytics tracking, and copy/layout iterations.
- Built monthly performance reporting (GA4 + Search Console) and delivered prioritised recommendations to stakeholders.
Education example
B.S. in Marketing — University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Expected May 2026
- Relevant coursework: Marketing Analytics, Consumer Behavior, Digital Strategy, Statistics
- Project: Built an SEO plan for a local business (keyword research, content plan, measurement framework)
Skills example
- Tools: GA4, Google Search Console, Looker Studio, WordPress
- Skills: SEO (on-page, content), CRO, reporting, experimentation
- Keywords: keyword research, landing pages, analytics, A/B testing
US cover letter: when it matters
Cover letters are less “mandatory” than in some countries, but they still help for competitive roles, career changes, and companies that explicitly ask for one. Keep it short: 3–4 paragraphs, focused on fit and proof.
- Structure: why this role → why this company → your proof (2–3 points) → close / availability
- Length: ~200–350 words, one page max
FAQ: US resume (American CV)
Is an “American CV” the same as a US resume?
Should I include a photo on a US resume?
Do I need to include my full address?
How long should a US resume be?
Should I add “References available upon request”?
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