How to Format a CV for Jobs in the USA

US resume conventions

In the United States, the document is called a **resume**, not a CV (unless you are in academia).

**No photo.** US anti-discrimination law means employers do not want photos. Including one can cause automatic rejection.

**No date of birth.** Same reason — age discrimination law.

**No marital status, nationality or gender.** These are never included on a US resume.

**Contact information:** name, city and state (not full address), phone, email, LinkedIn URL.

Structure

1. Contact information

2. Summary (2-3 lines, optional but recommended for experienced candidates)

3. Skills (especially for technical roles)

4. Work Experience (reverse chronological)

5. Education

6. Certifications (if relevant)

Length

One page for under 5 years of experience. Two pages for senior roles.

What US employers look for

Quantified achievements are essential. American resume culture expects numbers everywhere: percentages, dollar amounts, team sizes, user numbers. "Increased revenue by 23%" beats "improved sales performance".