Why US resumes are short and sharp
US recruiters skim fast and expect a resume tailored to the role. That means a summary aimed at the job, then bullets that start with a strong verb and end with a result: revenue, savings, time, volume, quality or growth. Responsibilities on their own read as a job description.
Anti-discrimination law
US employers avoid photos and personal details because federal law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40 and over), disability and other protected characteristics. Including them can make a recruiter uneasy, and some will discard the resume.
Resume or CV?
In the US, a CV is a long academic record for research, university teaching and medical roles, listing publications, grants and presentations. For every other job you need a resume.
Federal resumes
Applications through USAJOBS follow their own rules. Federal resumes must clearly show how you meet the qualifications and specialized experience in the announcement, and length and content requirements have changed in recent years. Always check the current USAJOBS guidance and the job announcement before you apply.
Where to apply
The job boards and sites most used by employers in United States:
- Indeed
- Glassdoor
- ZipRecruiter
- Handshake (students and graduates)
- USAJOBS (federal government)
Reviewed by the PenworthCV writing team, October 2026. Conventions change: always follow the instructions in the job ad.