CV United States: Guide and Template 2026
American Resume Conventions
In the United States, the document is called a resume, not a CV (which is reserved for academic positions). American resumes are strictly one page for most professionals with fewer than 10 years of experience. Photos are never included due to anti-discrimination laws. The format is clean, achievement-focused and heavily optimised for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). American employers spend an average of six to seven seconds on initial resume screening, making clarity and impact essential. The tone should be confident and results-oriented.
Format and Structure
An American resume begins with your name, city and state (no full address), phone number, email and LinkedIn URL. This is followed by a professional summary of two to three sentences, relevant experience in reverse-chronological order, education and skills. Each position should include bullet points starting with strong action verbs and featuring quantified achievements. Use a standard ATS-friendly font like Arial or Calibri. Avoid columns, tables, headers and footers, as these can confuse ATS parsing software used by most large American employers.
What to Include and What to Omit
Focus on measurable accomplishments using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Include relevant technical skills, certifications and professional affiliations. A skills section with keywords matching the job description is critical for ATS optimization. Do not include your photo, date of birth, marital status, Social Security number, nationality or religious affiliation. Objective statements are outdated; use a professional summary instead. References should not be listed and the phrase available upon request is no longer necessary.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest mistake is exceeding one page for mid-career professionals. American recruiters expect concise, impactful content. Avoid using passive language or listing job duties instead of achievements. Do not include personal information that is protected under federal anti-discrimination laws. Submitting a resume that is not ATS-optimised means it may never reach a human reviewer. Avoid using creative or non-standard formatting, graphics or colours unless applying to a creative agency. Typos and grammatical errors are immediate disqualifiers in the competitive American job market.
Tips for Standing Out
Tailor your resume to each specific job posting by incorporating keywords from the job description. Lead each bullet point with a powerful action verb and include specific metrics (grew revenue by USD 2 million, managed 15 direct reports, reduced churn by 25%). Use a clean, modern design that passes ATS screening while remaining visually appealing to human readers. Network actively, as many American jobs are filled through referrals. Consider creating a complementary LinkedIn profile that expands on your resume content with additional detail and recommendations.