By the Corvaj team · Updated
US employers and recruiters scan resumes quickly, often after software has filtered them first. A one-page resume that matches the job posting and shows results gives you the best chance.
Resume or CV?
In the US, a resume is the short document most jobs ask for. A CV (curriculum vitae) is a longer, detailed record used mainly for academic, research and some medical roles. Unless the posting asks for a CV, send a resume.
The US resume at a glance
- One page early in your career; two pages if you have many years of relevant experience.
- Contact details: name, phone number, email, city and state, and a LinkedIn link if you have one.
- An optional short summary at the top, then experience in reverse-chronological order, skills and education.
- Start bullet points with action verbs (led, built, reduced, launched) and include numbers.
- Use a simple layout that applicant tracking systems (ATS) can read, and US spelling.
What to leave out
US equal employment opportunity laws mean employers avoid information that could lead to discrimination. Leave these off:
- A photo.
- Your date of birth or age.
- Marital status, religion, nationality or similar personal details.
- Your Social Security number.
- “References available upon request”.
Tailor it to each job
- Copy the key skills from the posting into your notes, then check each one against your experience.
- Add a skills section with those terms, since ATS software and recruiters search for them.
- Customise your LinkedIn URL and make sure your profile matches your resume.
- Keep everything truthful: background and reference checks are common before offers.
Cover letter
Cover letters are often optional in the US, but a short one helps when it’s requested or when you’re changing careers. Three or four short paragraphs: why this role, your most relevant result, and a clear close.
Common mistakes
- Sending a long CV when the job asks for a resume.
- An objective statement about what you want rather than what you offer.
- Columns, icons or graphics that ATS software can’t read.
- A “References” section. Leave references off and provide them when asked.
Sample resume
A fictional example in the local format. Use it as a pattern, not a script.
Jordan Lee
Chicago, IL · (312) 555-0147 · [email protected] · linkedin.com/in/your-name
Summary
Administrative assistant with three years’ experience keeping busy offices organized. Known for clean data, tight schedules and small process fixes that save time.
Experience
Administrative Assistant, Lakeside Property Group
- Manage calendars for 6 managers, scheduling 40+ meetings a week
- Cut data-entry errors by 30% by introducing a simple spreadsheet check
- Onboarded 3 new hires to the scheduling and filing system
Front Desk Associate, Northside Fitness
- Checked in 150+ members per shift and resolved billing questions
- Trained 4 new staff on the booking system
Education
B.A., Communication
Skills
Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, XLOOKUP) · Google Workspace · Calendar management · Data entry · Customer service
Why it works
- One page, with contact details on one line and no photo or date of birth.
- Every bullet starts with an action verb, and most include a number.
- A skills line using the posting’s terms, for ATS searches.
- No “References available upon request”.
Example: turning a duty into a result
Administrative assistant
Before
Handled scheduling and data entry for the office.
After
Managed calendars for 6 managers and cut data-entry errors by 30% by introducing a simple spreadsheet check.
Action verb, scale and a measurable result: the pattern US recruiters look for.
By career stage
- Graduate or first job
- Put education first if it’s your strongest asset, with relevant coursework, projects, internships and campus roles. Keep it to one page.
- Changing careers
- Open with a two-line summary naming the role you’re targeting, then lead with transferable results and any training or certificates for the new field.
- Experienced
- Two pages is fine. Focus on the last 10–15 years, lead each role with results that match the posting, and cut early roles to one line.
Resume keywords for ATS
Applicant tracking systems and recruiters search for the skills a posting names. Examples for common roles; use only the ones that are true for you, in the posting’s own words.
- Customer service representative
- customer satisfaction, CRM (Salesforce, Zendesk), call resolution, de-escalation, upselling
- Software engineer
- Python, Java, REST APIs, AWS, CI/CD, unit testing, Agile
- Administrative assistant
- calendar management, Microsoft Office, data entry, travel coordination, office operations
Questions
Should a US resume be one page?
Usually, early in your career. With many years of relevant experience, two pages is fine. Recruiters care more about relevance than length.
Should I put a photo on my resume in the US?
No. US employers avoid photos and personal details such as age or marital status, to keep hiring decisions free of discrimination.
Do I need a cover letter in the US?
It’s often optional. Send one when the posting asks for it, or when you’re changing careers and need to explain the move.
What’s the difference between a resume and a CV in the US?
A resume is a short, targeted summary used for most jobs. A CV is a longer, complete record used for academic, research and some medical roles.
Should I list references on my resume?
No. Leave them off and have a list ready to share when an employer asks.
Your AI job search companion
Corvaj is with you through the whole search, not just the resume. It finds jobs that fit you, writes a tailored resume and cover letter for each role from what you tell it, applies with your approval or on auto-apply within your rules, and tracks every application until you land the right role.
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