US Resume vs UK CV — Key Differences
If you're applying to American companies, you need to understand the critical differences. US resumes are typically one page (not two), use American English spelling, and never include personal details like age, marital status, or a photo. The format is results-driven — every bullet point should quantify an achievement. The US market is highly competitive, with the average corporate job receiving 250+ applications.
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Get Your Job Hunter PackThe Winning US Resume Structure
American recruiters expect a clean, scannable format.
Professional Summary
A 2-3 line summary that positions you for the specific role. Include your years of experience, top skills, and a measurable achievement. Example: "Results-driven Marketing Manager with 7+ years driving B2B growth. Increased pipeline revenue by $2.4M through data-driven campaigns."
Professional Experience
List your most recent 3-4 roles. Use the CAR method: Challenge, Action, Result. "Faced declining customer retention (C), implemented personalised onboarding programme (A), increased retention by 25% (R)." Always use $ and % to quantify.
Skills Section
Place this strategically — after your summary or at the bottom. Include hard skills (Python, Salesforce, Google Analytics) and ATS keywords from the job posting. Many US companies use ATS like Greenhouse, Lever, or Workday.
ATS Tips for the US Market
American ATS systems are particularly strict. Use standard section headers, avoid creative formatting, and mirror the exact job title from the posting in your summary. If the job says "Account Executive," don't write "Sales Representative." Our ATS Keyword Optimizer analyses your resume against any US job description to find missing keywords.
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Tailoring for Different US Industries
Tech roles favour skills-first resumes with project highlights. Finance wants quantified results and certifications. Healthcare requires specific licensure and compliance keywords. Use our AI CV Builder to generate industry-specific formats automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a CV and a resume?
In the US, a resume is a 1-page concise document used for most jobs. A CV is a longer, detailed document used primarily in academia and research. In the UK and most of the world, "CV" refers to what Americans call a "resume."
Should my US resume be one page?
For most roles, yes. One page is standard for candidates with under 10 years of experience. Senior professionals may use two pages.
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