What a Professional American CV Looks Like
If you want to get a new job, you have to have a professional resume or CV. The average corporate position sees about 250 resumes. Your CV better stand out.
Your only experience with a CV may be with British CVs. How does an American CV differ? You may be surprised to find out that there are a number of key differences between the two.
Spelling and Grammar
An American CV requires American spelling and grammar. “Colour” in British English is “color” in American English. A “solicitor” in the UK is an “attorney” in the US.
This is important not to overlook because most resumes and CVs are scanned by applicant tracking systems. These systems look for exact match keywords to make sure you have the required skills and experience for the job.
Misspelled words could cause your CV to get overlooked.
Don’t Include a Photo
On a British CV, it’s standard to include a photo of yourself to appear more personable to prospective employers.
That’s a big no-no in America. American CVs don’t have photos on them. There are a lot of anti-discrimination laws regarding hiring practices. A CV with a photo of yourself could expose an employer to a lawsuit, so you’ll get overlooked.
The Layout of the American CV
The layout of a British CV usually starts with a big headline that says CV at the top. In America, you normally will have the person’s name, address, and contact information at the top.
Hiring managers already know that it’s a resume or CV. There’s no need to tell them that.
It’s best to start your layout with Curriculum Vite Templates. That way, it’s much easier to create and shape the design of the CV.
Include a Career Objective Statement
An American CV should have a brief statement as to what your career goals are. For example, a career objective may be something like “Marketing strategist with 20 years of experience seeks the opportunity to bring a track record of success to a Fortune 500 company.”
Your career objective may change as you apply for different jobs. You want to tailor that to each position.
Keep It Short
American CVs are notoriously short. Try to keep them limited to one page, but don’t go over two pages. That’s a big difference from Britain and the rest of Europe, as a CV is usually up to four pages.
Create an American CV That Gets Noticed
No matter what you’re applying for, you need to have a professional CV. There are stark differences between an American CV and a British CV.
For starters, getting the spelling and grammar correct and tailored to your audience. You should leave out personal details and focus on your experience and skills. That’s what recruiters and tracking systems look for when they scan your CV.
