U.S. Resume Format: Best Practices, Examples, & Tips
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Ready to tackle the job market in the United States? The first step is to create a compelling resume that showcases your skills, experience, and qualifications.
But with different cultural expectations and preferences, it's essential to understand what makes an American resume stand out to employers.
In this guide, we'll explore key elements of the U.S. standard resume format, offering tips and examples to help you create a polished, recruiter-ready resume.
What Is the U.S. Standard Resume Format?
There are three standard U.S. resume formats: chronological, functional, and combination. The best format depends on your experience level, career history, and unique circumstances.
Chronological resumes work best for those with steady work histories, functional resumes suit entry-level candidates, and combination resumes are ideal for career changers.
The most common American resume format is the chronological resume, which highlights relevant work experience in reverse-chronological order.
For all three layouts, there are a few key formatting elements to keep in mind:
- Stick to one to two pages in length. If you create a two-page resume, ensure that the entire second page is filled.
- Write your resume on a U.S. letter document (8.5” x 11”). Use single or 1.15 line spacing and standard one-inch margins on all sides.
- Choose a professional resume font such as Arial, Helvetica, or Times New Roman. Use a 10- to 12-point font size for body text and a 14- to 16-point font size for headers.
- Incorporate bolding, italics, and color consistently. For instance, if one header is bolded, every header should be bolded.
- Include clear section headings and ample white space between sections to ensure your resume is easy to scan.
Our professional resume templates incorporate all of these formatting elements to ensure your resume is polished and professional. Here’s an example U.S. resume template:
A U.S. resume is similar to a European curriculum vitae (CV) but differs in length and formatting. Explore everything you need to know about CVs versus resumes to learn more.
What to Include in Your U.S. Resume
U.S. resumes follow a standard structure to highlight your experience, skills, and qualifications in a scannable format. When you’re writing your resume, include these key sections:
Header with your contact information
Your U.S. resume template should start with a clear resume header that includes your contact information so that employers can reach out for an interview.
You can use our Resume Builder, which provides U.S. resume templates that feature a variety of header options crafted according to best practices in the United States.
When you apply for a job in the U.S., include a U.S. phone number on your resume if you have one. If you don’t have a U.S. phone number, mention your country code and any necessary international dialing codes so that employers can easily contact you.
In addition to your phone number, include your full name, a professional email address, your current address (including your country of residence, if applicable), and a link to an online career profile or personal portfolio if it’s relevant to the job.
Here’s an example:
WINSTON WRIGHT
555-555-5555 | winston@email.com | West Des Moines, IA 50265 | sampleportfolio.com
Tailored professional summary
Most U.S. resumes feature a profile or resume summary at the top that briefly details the key qualifications that make you uniquely suited for the role.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when writing a summary for a U.S. resume:
- Highlight your unique value in three to five concise sentences that summarize your experience, strengths, and the type of role you’re targeting.
- Use American English spelling and grammar conventions. For instance, use "color" instead of "colour" or "center" instead of "centre."
- Incorporate relevant keywords from the job description when they fit naturally and accurately reflect your skills and experience.
- Avoid first-person pronouns and passive voice to keep your summary direct, confident, and aligned with U.S. resume standards.
- Use clear, impactful language that emphasizes results and skills while avoiding unnecessary jargon or overly complex phrasing.
Here’s an example of an effective professional summary:
"Results-driven marketing professional with over five years of experience in developing and executing successful marketing campaigns for a variety of clients. Skilled in market research, brand development, and digital marketing, with a proven track record of increasing brand awareness and driving sales. Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong project management skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams."
Work experience in reverse-chronological order
The work history section is the primary focus of the U.S. standard resume format. List your past roles starting from your most recent or current role and working backwards.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when crafting your work history section:
- Start each bullet point with strong action verbs and maintain consistent verb tense throughout each section. For instance, use the present tense for a current role and the past tense for prior roles.
- Maintain parallel structure by using consistent patterns of words or phrases in a sentence or a series of sentences (i.e., “Developed marketing strategies, conducted market research, and analyzed customer data” instead of “Developed and implemented marketing strategies while conducting market research and analyzing customer data”).
- Whenever possible, use numbers and figures to describe accomplishments on your resume, for example: “Implemented a new lead generation strategy, resulting in a 40% increase in qualified leads and a 15% increase in conversion rates.”
- Use active language throughout your resume. For instance, instead of saying, “A new project was launched and managed by me, resulting in a 20% increase in productivity,” say, “Launched and managed a new project, resulting in a 20% increase in productivity.”
- Only include roles that are relevant to the position you’re applying for. For example, if you’re writing a software engineering resume, you may choose to omit experience like waitressing or dog walking since it doesn’t relate to your target role.
Here’s an example of an effective work history entry on a U.S. resume:
WORK HISTORY
Marketing Manager
BrightPath Media | New York, NY
May 2020 - Present
- Developed and executed integrated marketing campaigns across email, social media, and events, increasing qualified leads by 32% and improving campaign engagement rates.
- Mentored a team of three marketing coordinators, improving on-time project delivery by 40% and reducing revision cycles through clearer workflows and performance coaching.
- Analyzed market trends and competitor activity, contributing to product positioning and messaging that supported a 20% increase in market share.
An essential element of a U.S. resume is that it should be tailored to the job you’re applying for. A targeted resume incorporates keywords from the job description, increasing the chances of passing applicant tracking systems (ATS) and impressing hiring managers.
Tailoring a chronological resume to fit the specific job you're applying for is crucial and showcases your most relevant experiences and achievements while demonstrating you understand the employer's needs.- Dr. Jasmine Escalera, Career Expert
Job-relevant skills
Create a separate resume skills section using bullet points to make it easy for the hiring manager to read and scan your resume. Here’s an example:
SKILLS
- Google Analytics
- HTML and CSS
- Technical writing
- Social media management
- Search engine optimization
- Cross-team collaboration
Remember to tailor your skills section to the specific job requirements and consider the skills that will make you stand out as an international candidate who brings unique experiences and perspectives to the table. Here are a few considerations when writing the skills section of your U.S. resume:
- Feature U.S.-specific skills: Research the specific high-income skills that are in demand in the U.S. job market for your target role and include those that align with your experience and qualifications.
- Include a variety of skills: Feature a blend of hard skills and soft skills to demonstrate that you have a range of abilities and are adaptable to different work environments. Refer to the sample resume formats on this page for inspiration.
- Avoid jargon: Be mindful of using cultural references or jargon that may not be familiar to U.S. employers. Keep your language clear, concise, and focused on the skills and qualifications that are directly relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Employers look for candidates who have the skills needed to do the job they are hiring for. They also want someone who fits in well on the team and with the company. This is where transferable skills come in handy. Showing that you have transferable skills related to the role you are applying for increases a hiring team's confidence that you cannot only succeed in the role but thrive at the company.- Toni Frana, Career Expert
Educational background
Your U.S. resume should feature an education section that lists your college or university degree(s). If you graduated more than 5-10 years ago, consider removing your graduation date from your resume unless it’s specifically requested in the job application.
Unless you’re a recent high school graduate with no college or higher education, it’s generally unnecessary to include information about your high school education.
Here’s an example education section for a U.S. resume:
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Drake University | Des Moines, IA
Optional resume sections
There are several optional sections that you can include on a U.S. resume, depending on your skills, experiences, and the job you’re applying for. Here are some examples:
- Certifications and licenses: A list of any certifications or licenses you have earned that are relevant to the job you are applying for
- Awards and honors: A list of any awards or honors you have received, such as scholarships, academic awards, or recognition from your previous employers
- Volunteer experience: Information about any volunteer work you have done, including the organization, your role, and the dates of your involvement
- Professional memberships: Any professional organizations you belong to, including the name of the organization, your role, and the dates of your membership
Remember, the sections of your resume that you choose to include should be relevant to the job you’re applying for and highlight your strengths and experiences.
What to Leave Off a U.S. Resume
U.S. anti-discrimination laws influence what information should be left off a resume. These laws are designed to protect job seekers from bias related to age, race, gender, religion, disability, national origin, and other protected characteristics.
As a result, U.S. resumes should exclude any personal details that could be used—whether intentionally or unintentionally—to discriminate against a candidate. For example:
- A headshot or picture of yourself: While including a headshot is standard practice in some countries, it is uncommon and discouraged in the United States.
- Graphics or complex design elements: These might prevent your resume from passing ATS (see how to write an ATS-friendly resume for additional guidance).
- References from past colleagues or managers: These can be provided if requested during the interview process.
- Personal information: Leave off your age, marital status, ethnicity, religion, or political affiliations.
- Your full street address: You don’t need to include anything beyond your city and state (and your zip code if you choose to include it).
- Personal identification numbers: Keep your social security number, driver’s license number, or passport number private.
- Immigration status or evidence of your employment eligibility: Employers cannot ask you for this information before extending a job offer.
If you want to clarify that you’re applying from a different country or that you don’t require employment sponsorship, you can write a cover letter that details your circumstances.
U.S. Resume Template
Take a look at the U.S. resume template below to see what a standout American resume looks like. We also recommend exploring our professional resume examples for real-world U.S. resume samples for various job titles, industries, and circumstances.
This U.S. resume sample is a strong example of what a resume should look like and how to effectively showcase your qualifications and stand out in a competitive job market.
It follows best practices such as listing work history in reverse-chronological order and incorporating value propositions into the summary. The education section is relevant and focused, and the skills section provides a quick snapshot of the candidate's abilities.
Although not all employers in the U.S. require a cover letter, it’s generally a good idea to include one to expand on your resume and detail why you’re a great fit. Use our Cover Letter Generator to craft a compelling cover letter in minutes.
Key Takeaways
- Use a reverse-chronological resume format and stick to one or two pages.
- Do not include personal information such as your age, gender, or marital status.
- Tailor each section of your resume to the job that you’re applying for.
- Maintain a consistent format and don’t include a headshot or complex graphics.
- Include a summary statement at the top that describes your unique value.
FAQ
What are employers looking for on U.S. resumes?
In addition to the standard resume sections, such as work experience, skills, and education, recruiters typically look for the following on a U.S. resume:
- Tailoring to the job: Recruiters appreciate a resume that’s tailored to the specific job they’re hiring for. Be sure to read the job description and customize your resume to highlight your relevant skills and experience.
- Continuous learning: Employers value candidates who are committed to ongoing learning and professional development. Highlight any relevant courses, certifications, or industry involvement that demonstrate your commitment to self-improvement.
- Initiative and drive: Employers highly value showcasing your proactive nature and ability to take initiative. Highlight any projects you’ve initiated, process improvements you’ve implemented, or accomplishments that demonstrate your drive.
You can use our ATS Resume Checker to scan your resume for common errors that hinder your chances of passing ATS, such as a lack of measurable achievements.
Should a U.S. resume include a headshot?
In general, it’s not customary to include a headshot on a U.S. resume. Although it is common practice in some countries to include a photo, it’s not expected and even discouraged in the United States. Only include a headshot if one is specifically requested in the job description, for example, if you’re writing a fashion model resume.
If a company requires a headshot or a photo as part of the application process, they will usually specify this in the job posting or application instructions. Check out what to put on a resume for additional U.S. resume guidance from career advice experts.
How do I format my resume for U.S. jobs?
The standard resume format in the United States is the reverse-chronological format.
This format emphasizes your work experience by listing your most recent job positions first, followed by previous positions in reverse chronological order.
If you just graduated from college or have minimal work experience, the functional resume format, which focuses on skills rather than work history, may be appropriate.
We recommend exploring the best AI resume builders for guidance on tools that you can use to take the guesswork out of creating your U.S.-format resume.
Should I include references on my U.S. resume?
In most cases, you should not include references on a resume in the U.S. Employers typically expect you to provide references only when requested, rather than seeing them up front. Including them can take up valuable space and distract from your key qualifications.
If you’re considering opportunities abroad, explore our Canadian resume and Australian resume guides to ensure your application meets local expectations, such as whether or not to include references.
How long should a U.S. resume be?
Generally, a U.S. resume should be one or two pages. The length of your resume can vary depending on your level of experience and the specific requirements of the job.
If you have less than 10 years of work experience or are a recent graduate, a one-page resume is sufficient. This allows you to highlight your most relevant qualifications and achievements without overwhelming the reader with excessive information.
If you have more extensive work experience or are applying for a senior-level position, a two-page resume is acceptable. In fields such as academia, medicine, science, law, and government, job seekers are often expected to submit a CV instead of a resume.
See how to make a CV for additional guidance.
Should I put U.S. citizenship on my resume?
Including U.S. citizenship on your resume is typically unnecessary unless it’s specifically relevant to the job. Most employers assume applicants are authorized to work in the U.S. if they’re applying.
Mentioning citizenship may unintentionally reveal information (e.g., nationality or ethnicity) that could lead to unconscious bias. If the job does not require specific work authorization, leave it off and focus on skills and experience.
If work authorization is relevant but you want to avoid directly stating citizenship, you can include the following: “Authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.” This is professional and focuses on eligibility rather than personal details.
Is a CV a resume in the U.S.?
Internationally, the terms “CV” and “resume” are often used interchangeably; however, in the United States, a CV and a resume are not the same. Here are the key differences:
- Resume: A brief, targeted document (usually one to two pages) that summarizes your work experience, education, and relevant skills. It’s tailored for a specific job application.
- CV: A more detailed and comprehensive record of your academic and professional history, often used in academia, research, medicine, or education. CVs can be multiple pages and include publications, presentations, grants, and professional affiliations.
In short, in the U.S., a resume is the standard job application document, while a CV is typically reserved for academic or research positions. If you’re applying for an industry role in the U.S., follow the U.S. standard resume format unless explicitly asked for a CV.
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U.S. Resume Format: Best Practices, Examples, & Tips
Elizabeth is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and a member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches. She is committed to helping job seekers navigate the job market and succeed in their careers.
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