An American resume is usually one page (two for senior roles) on US Letter paper, with name and contact details, a short summary, experience with measurable results, education and skills. It leaves out a photo, date of birth, marital status, nationality and religion, because US employers avoid information that could lead to discrimination claims. Tailor it to each job ad's keywords.
If you are used to a CV format from Europe, Asia or Latin America, the US resume will feel short and impersonal. That is intentional: it is a targeted summary of results, not a full career record.
American resume vs CV in other countries
| Item | US resume | Common elsewhere |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 1 page (2 for senior) | 2+ pages |
| Photo | No | Often yes |
| Date of birth, marital status | No | Sometimes yes |
| Paper size | US Letter (8.5 x 11 in) | A4 |
| Focus | Results and numbers | Duties and full history |
| References | Separate, on request | Sometimes on the CV |
American resume example
US resume (fictional)
[Your Name] · [City, State] · [phone] · [email] · [LinkedIn]
SUMMARY: Operations analyst with 5 years in logistics. Cut late shipments by 22% across 3 warehouses.
EXPERIENCE: Operations Analyst — [Company], [City, State] — 2022–Present
• Built a weekly KPI dashboard in Power BI used by 12 managers.
• Renegotiated carrier rates, saving about $180K a year.
Logistics Coordinator — [Company] — 2020–2022 · Scheduled 400+ shipments a month.
EDUCATION: BS Supply Chain Management — [University], 2020
SKILLS: SQL, Power BI, Excel, SAP, carrier negotiation
What to leave off an American resume
- Photo, date of birth or age, marital status, religion, nationality.
- Full street address: city and state are enough.
- "References available upon request".
- Salary history.
- Personal pronouns ("I managed"): start bullets with verbs.
Federal law prohibits employment discrimination based on characteristics such as race, religion, sex, national origin and age, so many employers prefer not to receive personal details on a resume. See the EEOC's guidance on prohibited practices.
Work authorization for international applicants
If you need a visa, you do not have to explain it on the resume, but applications often ask whether you are authorized to work in the US. Answer truthfully; if you hold authorization, you can add a line such as "Authorized to work in the US".
Formatting checklist
- What is the American resume format?
- A one-page, results-focused document with contact details, summary, experience, education and skills, without a photo or personal data.
- Do US resumes have a photo?
- No. Most employers prefer not to receive one.
- Is a CV the same as a resume in the US?
- No. In the US, a CV is a longer academic document; most jobs ask for a resume.
- How long should a US resume be?
- One page for most applicants; two pages for senior roles.
Compare with the Canadian resume format and the UK CV format.
