USA Resume Format 2026: Complete Guide & Requirements
Learn the exact US resume format requirements for 2026. No photo, no personal info, ATS-friendly. Follow US standards to get hired.
Why US Resume Format Matters
US employers and recruiters have specific expectations for resume formatting. Unlike some countries where photos and personal details are common, US resumes must comply with anti-discrimination laws and ATS (Applicant Tracking System) requirements. Following the correct format increases your chances of passing initial screening and reaching human recruiters. US recruiters prefer concise, results-driven resumes that are easy to scan.
⚠️ Critical US Resume Rules
❌ NOT Allowed:
- Photo or headshot
- Age, gender, or marital status
- Nationality
- Full home address
- Signature
âś… Required:
- 1 page strongly preferred (2 pages only for senior roles)
- Reverse chronological order
- Achievement & metrics driven
- ATS-friendly layout (no icons, no graphics)
- Standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
US Resume Sections (In Order)
1. Header (Minimal & Clean)
The header should contain only identification and contact information—no decoration, no photos, no graphics.
John Smith
San Francisco, CA | (415) 555-0198 | john.smith@email.com
linkedin.com/in/johnsmith
What to include: Full name (bold, largest text), City and State only (not full address), Phone number (US format), Professional email address, LinkedIn profile URL (optional but recommended).
2. Professional Summary (Strongly Recommended)
US employers expect a concise, value-driven summary—2-3 lines maximum. Focus on role, experience, and outcome. No soft traits like "motivated" or "hardworking". Include metrics when possible.
âś… Good Example:
"Senior Software Engineer with 8+ years of experience building scalable backend systems. Led services serving 2M+ users and reduced infrastructure costs by 30%."
❌ Bad Example:
"Passionate engineer seeking new challenges."
3. Skills Section
Skills should be clearly organized with hard skills first, aligned to ATS keywords from job descriptions. Group when possible. No rating bars.
Skills
• JavaScript, TypeScript, Node.js
• AWS, Docker, Kubernetes
• REST APIs, Microservices
• SQL, MongoDB
Rules: No rating bars, no "soft skills" section unless role requires it. Focus on technical skills and ATS keywords.
4. Work Experience (MOST IMPORTANT SECTION)
This is the most critical section. US recruiters expect achievements over responsibilities, metrics are expected (not optional), and action verbs at the start of bullets.
Senior Backend Engineer
ABC Corp – San Francisco, CA
2020 – Present
• Designed microservices supporting 1M+ daily users
• Improved API response time by 40% through caching
• Collaborated with product and design teams in agile environment
Structure: Job Title (bold), Company Name – City, State, Date Range (Year format), 3-5 bullet points with achievements and measurable impact. Each bullet = action + result.
5. Education
Include degree, institution, location, and graduation year. GPA optional (students/fresh grads only). No high school unless no degree.
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
University of California, Berkeley
2016
6. Optional Sections (Role-Dependent)
Allowed sections include Certifications, Projects, Publications, and Open-source contributions. Avoid hobbies unless role-relevant. Avoid personal interests.
US Resume Formatting Rules
- Length: 1 page strongly preferred. 2 pages only for senior roles with extensive experience
- Font: Standard fonts only (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman), 10-12pt
- Layout: Single column, white background, no colors except black/gray, no icons, no graphics
- File Format: PDF or DOCX (PDF preferred for ATS compatibility)
- Margins: 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides
- Spacing: Consistent spacing between sections
- Tone: Direct, confident. Avoid overly formal language
Key Differences: USA vs Other Countries
- Length: 1 page strongly preferred in US (vs 1-2 pages in Canada)
- Tone: Direct, confident (vs formal in Canada)
- Metrics: Expected, not optional (vs recommended in Canada)
- Cover Letter: Semi-formal, confident (vs formal in Canada)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I include a photo on my US resume?
No. Photos are not allowed on US resumes. This is to comply with anti-discrimination laws and ensure fair hiring practices.
How long should a US resume be?
US resumes should be 1 page strongly preferred. Two pages are acceptable only for senior roles with extensive experience (10+ years). Most recruiters prefer concise, one-page resumes that are easy to scan.
Do I need to include my address on a US resume?
No. Include only your city and state (e.g., "San Francisco, CA"). Full addresses are not required and take up valuable space.
Should I include metrics on my US resume?
Yes. US recruiters expect quantifiable achievements and metrics. Include numbers, percentages, and measurable results whenever possible. Metrics are expected, not optional, in US resumes.
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