CV conventions in United States
These 2 countries follow broadly the same CV conventions: no photo, no date of birth, 1–2 pages on US Letter paper, and referees are left off. The table below shows where individual countries differ.
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At a glance
| What it is called | Résumé |
|---|---|
| Length | 1 page under ~10 years of experience, 2 at most (academic and medical CVs are longer) |
| Paper size | US Letter |
| Layout | Compact single column |
| Order | Most recent first |
| Dates | Month and year (e.g. Mar 2023) |
| Photo | Usually left out |
| Date of birth | Usually left out |
| Nationality | Usually left out |
| Marital status | Usually left out |
| Right to work / visa status | Optional |
| References | Leave referees off the CV; have a list ready |
| Explain gaps longer than | 6 months |
Tips
- Leave out photo, age, date of birth, marital status and nationality: US employers avoid them to stay clear of discrimination claims.
- Start each bullet with an action verb and show results with numbers (budgets, %, volumes, people).
- Mirror the keywords in the job posting; most employers screen with applicant tracking software.
- Mention work authorization only if you need sponsorship or the posting asks.
- “References available upon request” is considered outdated; have a separate reference list ready.
Countries in this group
| Country | Called | Usual language | Paper | Local differences |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico | Résumé | Spanish | Letter | |
| United States | Résumé | US English | Letter |
Other regions
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Australia & New Zealand
- Germany, Austria & Switzerland
- France & francophone Europe
- Netherlands & Belgium
- Nordic countries
- Southern Europe
- Italy
- Central & Eastern Europe
- Russia, Caucasus & Central Asia
- Gulf (GCC)
- Middle East & North Africa
- Türkiye
- Israel
- Sub-Saharan Africa (English-speaking)
- South Africa
- Sub-Saharan Africa (French-speaking)
- South Asia
- Japan
- South Korea
- Mainland China
- Hong Kong & Macau
- Taiwan
- Southeast Asia
- Singapore
- Latin America
- Caribbean
- Pacific Islands
Guidance checked October 2026. General information for most employers, not legal or immigration advice. A job advert’s own instructions always come first. CV Atlas is not affiliated with any regulator or professional body named.