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Apr 12, 2026
9 min read

🇺🇸 US Resume Format: Complete Guide for American Job Seekers

The US resume follows strict conventions that differ from international CV standards. Learn exactly what American employers expect — and what to leave off.

What Makes a US Resume Unique?

A US resume is fundamentally different from a CV used in Europe, Asia, or the Middle East. Understanding these differences is critical if you're applying to American companies — whether you're in New York or applying remotely from abroad.

  • One page maximum (two pages only for 10+ years of experience)
  • No photograph — US anti-discrimination laws strongly discourage photos
  • Reverse-chronological format is the gold standard
  • Action-verb-driven bullet points with quantified results
  • No personal details: age, marital status, religion, or nationality

US Resume Structure Section by Section

1. Contact Header

  • Full name (largest font on the page)
  • City and state only (no full address needed)
  • Professional email address
  • Phone number with area code
  • LinkedIn URL (customized, not the default random string)

2. Professional Summary

  • 2-3 sentences maximum
  • Include your job title, years of experience, and top achievement
  • Sprinkle in 2-3 keywords from the target job description

3. Work Experience

  • Reverse-chronological order (most recent first)
  • Company name, city/state, job title, and dates (Month Year format)
  • 4-6 bullet points per role with quantified achievements
  • Start every bullet with a strong action verb

4. Education

  • Degree, major, university name, and graduation year
  • Include GPA only if 3.5 or above and you're within 5 years of graduation
  • Add honors, relevant coursework, or academic projects if entry-level

5. Skills

  • Group into Technical Skills, Tools, Languages, and Soft Skills
  • Only list skills you can demonstrate in an interview
  • Mirror the exact terminology from the job posting

Common US Resume Mistakes

Including a photo or headshot

US employers are legally discouraged from seeing photos to avoid discrimination claims. Never include one.

Listing personal details (age, marital status, nationality)

These are irrelevant in the US and can create legal liability for employers. Omit them entirely.

Writing a resume longer than one page (for most roles)

Keep it to one page unless you have 10+ years of experience. Hiring managers spend 7 seconds on the first scan.

Using passive language like 'responsible for' or 'helped with'

Replace with strong action verbs: 'Spearheaded,' 'Delivered,' 'Optimized.' See our action verbs guide for more.

Including 'References Available Upon Request'

This is outdated. Employers assume you'll provide references when asked. Use the space for skills or achievements.

US Resume Action Verbs by Industry

Every bullet point on a US resume should start with a strong action verb. The right verb signals leadership, ownership, and impact. We've compiled a comprehensive list organized by industry and skill type.

For a full breakdown of powerful action verbs that will make your resume stand out, check our dedicated guide:

Resume Action Verbs: The Complete List

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