US Resume Format (2026): Length, Sections and What to Leave Out
In the US the document is called a resume. It is short, results-focused and deliberately impersonal: recruiters want to see what you achieved, not who you are outside work. A "CV" in the US usually means a long academic document for research or medical roles.
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US resume format at a glance
| Name | Resume |
|---|---|
| Length | 1 page for up to ~10 years of experience; 2 pages for senior roles |
| Paper | US Letter (8.5 × 11 in) |
| Photo | No |
| Personal details | No date of birth, age, marital status, nationality, religion or photo |
| Address | City and state only (e.g. "Austin, TX") |
| Spelling | American English |
| Dates | Month Year – Month Year (e.g. "Mar 2022 – Present") |
| References | Not on the resume; provide when asked |
Section order
- Header: Name, phone, email, city/state, LinkedIn URL. Portfolio or GitHub if relevant.
- Summary: 2–3 lines: title, years, top result, core skills. Optional for early-career, recommended for career changers.
- Experience: Reverse-chronological. Title, company, city/state, dates, then 3–6 result bullets.
- Skills: Tools and hard skills matching the job ad.
- Education: Degree, school, year. GPA only if recent and 3.5+.
- Certifications / Licenses: Name, issuer, year.
Header example
(312) 555-0142 · jordan.miller@email.com · Chicago, IL · linkedin.com/in/jordanmiller
Include
- Quantified achievements in every role
- Keywords from the job description, used naturally
- LinkedIn URL and, for technical or creative roles, a portfolio
- Work authorization only if you need sponsorship or the ad asks
Leave out
- Photo
- Date of birth or age
- Marital status, children, religion, nationality
- Full street address
- Salary history
- "References available upon request"
Work rights and visa status
US employers must verify work eligibility (Form I-9) after hiring, and they cannot legally ask about many personal characteristics. If you are a US citizen or green-card holder, you don't need to state it. If you will need an H-1B or other sponsorship, many candidates add a short line ("Requires H-1B sponsorship") or answer the application question honestly.
Cover letters
Cover letters are still requested by many US employers, especially smaller companies and non-profits. Keep them to 3–4 short paragraphs and under one page. Try the free cover letter generator.
Where to find jobs
- Indeed
- Glassdoor
- ZipRecruiter
- USAJOBS (federal jobs)
- Wellfound (startups)
- Dice (tech)
Common mistakes
- Two-page resumes for early-career roles.
- Including a photo; many US recruiters discard these to avoid discrimination claims.
- Duties instead of results ("responsible for…").
- A4 paper size or British spelling for a US role.
Check your resume before you apply
Pick US in the free ATS checker to test length, spelling, personal details and keywords against a real job ad, or use Job Match for bullet rewrites and a cover note.
Other countries
FAQ
Should a US resume be one page?
For most people with under 10 years of experience, yes. Senior professionals, engineers and people with many relevant projects can use two full pages. Never go to two pages with half a page of content.
Do I put my address on a US resume?
Just the city and state. A full street address is no longer expected and takes space.
Should I include a photo on a US resume?
No. US employers generally avoid photos because of anti-discrimination law, and some ATS systems handle images badly.
Is a CV the same as a resume in the US?
No. In the US a CV is a long, detailed academic document (publications, grants, teaching). For most jobs you send a resume.