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Free resource · Resume format

Start with a clear US resume format.

Use an editable structure for experience, skills, education and relevant projects. Adapt every section to your background, target role and the employer's instructions. A template is a starting point, not a guarantee of screening success.

Get the US Resume FormatCheck My Resume

What is included

Everything you need to start, nothing you have to unlock.

  • Editable resume structure

    Header, summary, skills, experience, projects, education and certifications.

  • Section-by-section instructions

    What each section is for and what to leave out.

  • Sample bullet principles

    Action, scope and result, with numbers only where true.

  • A final review checklist

    Six checks to run before you apply.

  • Version date and accessibility notes

    So you know it's current and easy to adapt.

The format

The US resume format, section by section.

Replace everything in [brackets] and delete any section you don't need.

US resume format

Version 1.0 · October 2026

  1. Header

    Plain text at the very top. No photo, date of birth or marital status.

    FIRST LAST

    City, State · (555) 555-0100 · name@example.com · linkedin.com/in/yourname · portfolio link (optional)

  2. Summary

    Two or three lines that name your target role and your strongest relevant evidence.

    [Target role] with [X years / background] in [area]. Strengths in [two or three skills that matter for the role], shown through [one true example].

  3. Skills

    Group related skills. List only what you can discuss in an interview.

    Technical: [tool], [tool], [method]

    Professional: [skill], [skill]

  4. Experience

    Most recent first. Three to five bullets per role. Start with what you did, then the scope or result.

    [Job Title], [Employer], [City, State] | [Mon YYYY] – [Mon YYYY or Present]

    - [Action verb] [what you did] for [who / scope], [result, only if true].

    - [Action verb] [what you did] using [tool or method], which [why it mattered].

    - [Action verb] [what you improved or delivered].

  5. Projects

    Optional but useful early in a career. Choose projects relevant to the target role.

    [Project name] | [tools used] | [link]

    - [What problem it addressed, what you built, and what you learned or found.]

  6. Education

    Degree, institution and year. Add relevant coursework or honors only if they help.

    [Degree], [Major], [Institution], [City, State] | [YYYY]

  7. Certifications (optional)

    Only certifications relevant to the role, with the year.

    [Certification name], [Issuer] | [YYYY]

How to use it

Six steps from template to tailored resume.

  1. 01

    Select a target role

    One role per version of your resume.

  2. 02

    Choose relevant experience

    Lead with what matters most for that role.

  3. 03

    Write truthful, specific bullets

    What you did, for whom, and what changed.

  4. 04

    Check dates and consistency

    One date style; titles that match LinkedIn.

  5. 05

    Compare with the job description

    Use its wording where it truthfully applies.

  6. Follow employer instructions

    They always override a template.

A note on country conventions

Resume and CV conventions vary by market, sector and employer. This format is a US-style starting point. Not every US employer expects the same format, so follow the posting's instructions first. Applying in Canada? See the Canada country guide.

Next action

Once the format is complete.

Want our team to apply it to your resume?

We'll review your resume against your target role and tell you what to change first.

How would you like to start?

What happens next

Free to start

Start with the action that fits this page. You can build a full plan any time.

  1. 01Start hereRequest a resume review.
  2. 02See what it showsEach tool and request explains what happens next.
  3. Build a full plan when readyYour answers help us recommend the next step.

Or start in one tap — which best describes you?

Request a resume review

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