Quick facts: CVs in the United States
| Document name | ⓘ | Called a "resume" |
|---|---|---|
| Usual length | ⓘ | Usually one page; two for senior roles |
| Photo | ✗ | Leave the photo off |
| Date of birth | ✗ | No date of birth or age |
| Nationality | ✗ | Not listed; work authorization is asked in the application |
| Marital status | ✗ | Leave marital status off |
| ATS | ✓ | Used by most mid-size and large employers |
| Language | ⓘ | American English spelling |
| Paper size | ⓘ | US Letter, not A4 |
| References | ✗ | Not on the resume; keep a separate list ready for when they ask |
| Work authorization | ◐ | A line like "Authorized to work in the US" can help, if it is true |
These are common practices; they vary by employer and industry. If a job ad asks for something specific, follow the ad.
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Jordan Miller
Software engineer with 5 years of experience building scalable web services and APIs in Python and TypeScript. Led the migration of a monolith to microservices and cut infrastructure costs by 28%. Comfortable owning features end to end, from design docs to on-call.
- Led the migration of a Django monolith to 9 containerized services, reducing AWS costs by 28%
- Built a real-time appointment API handling 3M requests per day with 99.95% uptime
- Cut p95 page load time from 3.1s to 1.2s by redesigning caching and database queries
- Mentored 3 junior engineers and introduced a code review checklist adopted team-wide
- Shipped 20+ customer-facing features in React and Node.js for an e-commerce platform
- Automated deployments with GitHub Actions, reducing release time from 2 hours to 15 minutes
- Raised unit test coverage from 45% to 82%
Python • TypeScript • React • Node.js • PostgreSQL • AWS (Lambda • ECS • S3) • Docker • Kubernetes • CI/CD • System design • REST & GraphQL APIs
Executive ⭐
Use this templateJordan Miller
Software engineer with 5 years of experience building scalable web services and APIs in Python and TypeScript. Led the migration of a monolith to microservices and cut infrastructure costs by 28%. Comfortable owning features end to end, from design docs to on-call.
- Led the migration of a Django monolith to 9 containerized services, reducing AWS costs by 28%
- Built a real-time appointment API handling 3M requests per day with 99.95% uptime
- Cut p95 page load time from 3.1s to 1.2s by redesigning caching and database queries
- Mentored 3 junior engineers and introduced a code review checklist adopted team-wide
- Shipped 20+ customer-facing features in React and Node.js for an e-commerce platform
- Automated deployments with GitHub Actions, reducing release time from 2 hours to 15 minutes
- Raised unit test coverage from 45% to 82%
Python • TypeScript • React • Node.js • PostgreSQL • AWS (Lambda • ECS • S3) • Docker • Kubernetes • CI/CD • System design • REST & GraphQL APIs
Minimal
Use this templateJordan Miller
Software engineer with 5 years of experience building scalable web services and APIs in Python and TypeScript. Led the migration of a monolith to microservices and cut infrastructure costs by 28%. Comfortable owning features end to end, from design docs to on-call.
- Led the migration of a Django monolith to 9 containerized services, reducing AWS costs by 28%
- Built a real-time appointment API handling 3M requests per day with 99.95% uptime
- Cut p95 page load time from 3.1s to 1.2s by redesigning caching and database queries
- Mentored 3 junior engineers and introduced a code review checklist adopted team-wide
- Shipped 20+ customer-facing features in React and Node.js for an e-commerce platform
- Automated deployments with GitHub Actions, reducing release time from 2 hours to 15 minutes
- Raised unit test coverage from 45% to 82%
Python • TypeScript • React • Node.js • PostgreSQL • AWS (Lambda • ECS • S3) • Docker • Kubernetes • CI/CD • System design • REST & GraphQL APIs
Modern
Use this templateJordan Miller
Software engineer with 5 years of experience building scalable web services and APIs in Python and TypeScript. Led the migration of a monolith to microservices and cut infrastructure costs by 28%. Comfortable owning features end to end, from design docs to on-call.
- Led the migration of a Django monolith to 9 containerized services, reducing AWS costs by 28%
- Built a real-time appointment API handling 3M requests per day with 99.95% uptime
- Cut p95 page load time from 3.1s to 1.2s by redesigning caching and database queries
- Mentored 3 junior engineers and introduced a code review checklist adopted team-wide
- Shipped 20+ customer-facing features in React and Node.js for an e-commerce platform
- Automated deployments with GitHub Actions, reducing release time from 2 hours to 15 minutes
- Raised unit test coverage from 45% to 82%
Python • TypeScript • React • Node.js • PostgreSQL • AWS (Lambda • ECS • S3) • Docker • Kubernetes • CI/CD • System design • REST & GraphQL APIs
Timeline
Use this templateWhat to include
Name, phone, email, city and state, plus your LinkedIn URL. A full street address is no longer expected.
Three lines on who you are, what you do and your strongest result. Tailor it to each job you apply for.
Reverse-chronological, with 3-5 bullets per role that start with a strong verb. US recruiters respond well to numbers: percentages, budgets, customers served.
Tools, technologies and skills that match the job ad. Use plain keywords so the ATS can find them.
School, degree and graduation year. GPA is optional and usually listed only by recent graduates with a strong result.
Credentials like PMP, AWS or CPA carry real weight in the US. List the name, issuer and year.
Useful for developers and new graduates. One or two lines with the tools used and the outcome.
What to leave off
- A photo — Most US employers prefer resumes without photos to avoid any appearance of bias.
- Age or date of birth — Not expected, and many recruiters would rather not see it.
- Marital status or religion — Personal details that are unrelated to the job in the US.
- "References available upon request" — It is assumed, so the line just wastes space.
- Dense paragraphs — Recruiters skim quickly; short bullets are easier to scan.
ATS and CVs in the United States
Most mid-size and large US employers receive applications through applicant tracking systems such as Workday, Greenhouse or similar tools. The software parses your resume and helps recruiters filter and rank candidates by keywords, so a complicated layout can scramble your information before a person ever reads it. A clean structure is not about looking plain; it is about being readable.
- Use a single-column template such as Executive, Minimal or Modern.
- Keep standard section headings: Work Experience, Education, Skills.
- Mirror the wording of the job ad honestly, only for skills you really have.
- Do not hide key information in tables, text boxes, images or the page header.
- Submit PDF or Word, whichever the employer asks for.
Run your file through the CV checker for an ATS score, and use the job-description matcher to spot missing keywords.
CV example
Jordan Miller
Software engineer with 5 years of experience building scalable web services and APIs in Python and TypeScript. Led the migration of a monolith to microservices and cut infrastructure costs by 28%. Comfortable owning features end to end, from design docs to on-call.
- Led the migration of a Django monolith to 9 containerized services, reducing AWS costs by 28%
- Built a real-time appointment API handling 3M requests per day with 99.95% uptime
- Cut p95 page load time from 3.1s to 1.2s by redesigning caching and database queries
- Mentored 3 junior engineers and introduced a code review checklist adopted team-wide
- Shipped 20+ customer-facing features in React and Node.js for an e-commerce platform
- Automated deployments with GitHub Actions, reducing release time from 2 hours to 15 minutes
- Raised unit test coverage from 45% to 82%
Python • TypeScript • React • Node.js • PostgreSQL • AWS (Lambda • ECS • S3) • Docker • Kubernetes • CI/CD • System design • REST & GraphQL APIs
Examples by job
Applying for jobs in the United States
The US job market is large and varied, and almost all applications happen online. LinkedIn, Indeed and Glassdoor are widely used, and many companies only accept applications through their own careers page. Networking and employee referrals often make a real difference, so keep your LinkedIn profile consistent with your resume.
- References: usually requested near the end of the process. Have two or three people ready who can speak about your work.
- Notice period: giving around two weeks' notice is a common courtesy, but it depends on the employer and your contract.
- Checks: some employers run a background check after making an offer.
- Work authorization: if you are not a citizen or permanent resident, you will need a suitable work visa. Rules change, so always check official US government sources and the employer directly. Some job ads state whether visa sponsorship is available.
For ready-made layouts by profession, browse our CV examples, and if you are also considering Canada, compare with the Canada guide.
CV language
US employers expect a resume in American English, so write organized rather than organised and center rather than centre, and keep the spelling consistent throughout. No other language is needed unless the role asks for one; if so, list it under Languages with an honest proficiency level.
Our builder produces resumes in English (or French), and if you type your details in Arabic it translates them automatically. After translation, double-check job titles and US spelling yourself. If you already have an Arabic CV, the CV translator can convert it for you.
CV or resume?
In the United States, resume is the standard word for a job application document: one or two pages summarizing your experience. A CV in the US usually means a long academic document used by researchers and professors, listing publications, conferences, grants and teaching. If you are applying to a company, write a concise resume. If you are applying for an academic or research position, the longer CV is what the institution expects. For ready-made US-style samples, see our resume examples.
Cover letters in the United States
Cover letters in the US depend on the employer: many ask for one, others treat it as optional. When there is a field for it, write one, because it is your chance to explain why you fit this particular role. Keep it to one page or less, three or four short paragraphs, in a confident and direct tone. Mention one or two concrete results without repeating your resume line by line. The cover letter generator gives you a solid first draft to edit.
FAQ
Should I put a photo on a US resume?
Generally no. US employers usually prefer resumes without photos to avoid any appearance of bias. Pick a no-photo template such as Executive or Minimal.
How long should a US resume be?
One page is typical for graduates and mid-level candidates. Two pages are fine if you have long, relevant experience.
Do I include my age or date of birth?
No. Age and date of birth are not part of a US resume, and most applicants leave them off entirely.
Should I list my nationality?
Usually not. Employers ask about work authorization in the application form. A line such as "Authorized to work in the US" can help if it is true.
What is the difference between Letter and A4?
Letter is the standard US paper size, slightly wider and shorter than A4. Our builder supports both, so choose Letter for US applications.
Is a cover letter required?
Not always, but if the application has a field for one, it is worth writing a short, tailored letter.
Is the resume builder really free?
Yes. It is free with no sign-up, and you can download your resume as PDF or Word.
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