US Resume Format: The Complete Guide.
In the US, a resume is a short, targeted sales document. Recruiters skim it in seconds, and most applications pass through an applicant tracking system first, so clarity and keywords matter more than design.
- Right format in one click
- Live ATS checks
- Text-based PDF
The US resume at a Glance.
Anti-discrimination laws also shape the format. US employers generally don't want to see your photo, age, marital status or other personal details, and many will set aside a resume that includes them.
- Length
- One page for under ~10 years of experience, two pages at most
- Photo
- No
- Personal details
- Leave out age, date of birth, gender, marital status and nationality
- Paper size
- US Letter (8.5 ร 11 in)
- Dates
- Month and year, e.g. 03/2022 or Mar 2022
- References
- Not on the resume; provide them when asked
Sections, in Order.
- 1
Contact details
Name, city and state, phone, email and LinkedIn. No full street address needed.
- 2
Professional summary
Two to four lines tailored to the role.
- 3
Work experience
Reverse-chronological, with results-focused bullets and numbers.
- 4
Skills
Hard skills and tools that match the job description.
- 5
Education
Degree, school and graduation year. GPA only if recent and strong.
- 6
Certifications and projects
Optional, when they support the role.
Do This, Not That.
Do
- Tailor the resume to every job and mirror its keywords.
- Start bullets with action verbs and show measurable results.
- Keep formatting simple so the ATS can parse it.
- Save as a text-based PDF unless asked for Word.
Avoid
- Adding a photo, date of birth or marital status.
- Writing "References available upon request".
- Listing every duty from your job description.
- Using an objective statement instead of a summary.
Pick the Country. We Handle the Rest.
- Pick the US resume format and the layout adapts for you
- Photo, personal details and headings set the way employers expect
- Live ATS checks while you write
- A clean, text-based PDF ready to send
US resume
Questions.
Still unsure? Our team answers every message, usually within one business day.
Contact SupportShould a US resume be one or two pages?
One page is standard for students and people with under about ten years of experience. Senior professionals can use two. Going beyond two pages is rarely a good idea outside academia and federal jobs.
Do I include a photo on a US resume?
No. Most US employers avoid resumes with photos because of anti-discrimination rules, and a photo can also confuse ATS parsing.
What's the difference between a resume and a CV in the US?
In the US, a resume is a short summary for most jobs, while a CV is a longer, complete record used in academia, research and medicine.
Other resume formats
Also useful: our free ATS resume checker, the resume templates and the AI resume builder.
Write Your US resume Today.
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