US resume: targeted achievements, not an academic CV
In the United States, a resume for a business role is different from the longer CV often used in academic applications. Follow the employer’s instructions and select evidence that matches the job. A short document is useful when it remains understandable; an arbitrary page count is not more important than relevance.
Build a readable structure
Use clear sections for contact details, experience, education and relevant skills. Keep job titles, employers and dates easy to find. Avoid turning important text into an image. A PDF is useful when requested or accepted, but a specific employer may require another format. Test whether you can select and copy the text before uploading.
Describe verified achievements
Write concise statements about an action, its context and its result. Quantify only where a real source supports the number. If the impact was qualitative, explain what changed rather than inventing a percentage. Use technical keywords only for tools you have actually used or studied, and distinguish professional practice from a course exercise.
Leave out unnecessary personal details
Do not include a photograph, age, marital status or sensitive identity information. Give a professional contact channel. Work authorisation, immigration sponsorship and professional licensing are separate questions: answer the employer’s forms truthfully instead of using the resume to imply an unverified status. Do not invent a US address or qualification equivalence.
An example of honest adaptation
Fictional example: a support analyst applying for operations work can explain incident triage, documented escalation and recurring issue analysis. If they assisted a project, write “supported” rather than “led”. Relevant transferable evidence is stronger than a job title or ownership claim that cannot be defended in an interview.
Review the application as a whole
Read the job posting again and check the resume against any cover letter, portfolio and application form. Remove contradictions and explain meaningful career changes. An AI comparison should highlight missing evidence and unclear wording, not promise a hiring probability or automatic approval. Requirements vary by employer and profession; consult the original posting and official guidance.
Sources and next steps
Prepare your application with AnalyseCV · Version française
Canadian resume: language, evidence and privacy
German CV: a clear chronology and accurate qualifications
AnalyseCV · 2026-10-29