United States CV Format & Resume Writing Guidelines
Structure your application to align with hiring regulations, language standards, and HR expectations in United States.
📸 Headshot Photo Guidelines
🚫 Strict NO. Resumes containing photos, headshots, or graphics are immediately discarded by HR teams to comply with anti-discrimination and bias laws.
📋 Mandatory Resume Sections
- Contact Information
- Professional Experience
- Skills
- Education
- Certifications (optional)
💡 Formatting Checklists
- Limit the document to a single page for candidates with under 5 years of experience; maximum 2 pages for senior roles.
- Use strong action-verbs (e.g. Spearheaded, Designed, Automated) to start every experience bullet point.
- Do not include personal details like age, gender, marital status, nationality, or home address.
Cover Letter Requirements
- Keep it under one page, structured with a header, introduction, 2 body paragraphs, and a formal signoff.
- Focus on 2 key achievements from your resume, connecting them directly to the company's needs.
Local Hiring Practices & Contract Customs
Hiring is typically 'at-will', meaning employment can be terminated by either party at any time.
Background checks and reference checks are standard steps before a formal offer letter is finalized.
🚀 ATS Checker
Upload your resume and paste the target job description requirements to verify compatibility scores for United States.
Recommended Career Resources
Resume Keyword Guides
Interview Prep Checklists
ATS Optimization Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an address on a US resume?
Only include your City, State, and Zip code. Do not list your street address for privacy and anti-bias purposes.