ATS-Friendly CV
One column, standard headings, no tables or graphics. The safest choice for online application systems.
Fill in this format onlineFree Template
American Resume Format on Letter Paper
The American resume format is short and factual: one or two pages on Letter paper, work experience first, and no photo, age or marital status. This template is built to fit one page with two jobs and one degree.
Download the US Resume template
US Letter paper, one page focus, no photo and no personal details such as age or marital status.
- Paper
- US Letter (8.5 x 11 in)
- Layout
- One column
- Font
- Arial
- Pages
- 1
- Files
- Word (.docx) and PDF
Free. No sign-up, no watermark.
What is in the template
- Centred name and a single contact line: city and state, phone, email, LinkedIn.
- Summary of two or three lines.
- Experience: employer and city on the first line, job title and dates on the second, then bullets.
- Education, Skills, Licenses and Certifications.
- US Letter size, 8.5 by 11 inches, Arial type.
Why there is no photo or date of birth
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission states that an employer should ask for a photograph only after an offer of employment is made and accepted, and that questions which may reveal race, sex, national origin, age or religion should generally be avoided before hiring. Resumes in the United States therefore leave these details out, and so does this template.
Tips for applicants from abroad
Write the month and year of each job, spell out your degree with its US equivalent if you know it, and give your phone number with the country code. State your work authorisation in one line under the contact details if you already have it. Use US spelling.
Other CV formats
Simple CV
Clean and plain with generous white space. Good for any job and easy to edit.
Fill in this format online
Professional CV
Classic serif layout with a centred header. Suits managers, finance, law and senior roles.
Fill in this format online
Modern CV
Two columns with a shaded side panel for contact details and skills. Best when a person, not a system, reads it first.
Fill in this format online
Student CV
Education first, then projects, part-time work and activities. Made for a first CV.
Fill in this format online
Academic CV
Education, research interests, appointments, publications, grants and referees. No page limit.
Fill in this format online
Europass-style CV
Label and detail columns in the order used by the Europass CV. This is our own layout, not the official EU tool.
Fill in this format online
Canadian Resume
US Letter paper, summary and skills first, volunteer work included, no photo or personal details.
Fill in this format online
Australian Resume
Career profile, key skills, achievements under each job and referees at the end.
Fill in this format online
German CV (Lebenslauf)
Tabular layout with dates on the left, personal details block, and place, date and signature at the end.
Fill in this format onlineSources
- US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: Prohibited Employment Policies/Practices
- Template files: made by Dev Global Jobs and opened in Microsoft Word before publishing.
Sources last checked: 2 October 2026.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this an American CV template or a resume?
In the United States the document is called a resume. A CV there means the long academic record. This template is a resume.
How long should a US resume be?
The template is designed for one page. A second page is fine when your experience needs it.
Can I use A4 paper?
For jobs in the United States use Letter. In the CV builder you can switch any format between Letter and A4.
Should I add references?
No. Leave references off the resume and give them when the employer asks.
Do I need an objective statement?
A short summary is more useful: who you are, your main skill and the result you bring.
Is it free?
Yes. Word and PDF, no sign-up, no watermark.
Tools & Guides
Career Tools & Guides
Free tools and guides for your job search.
All Free Career Tools
Salary, CV, interview and visa tools in one place
Open tool
CV Builder
Build a CV online, free download in Word or PDF
Open tool
Resume/CV Checker
AI-powered resume review tips
Open tool
Scholarships & Grants
Fully funded programs worldwide
Read guide
CV Template in Word
All 11 formats as .docx files, checked in Microsoft Word.
Open tool
Data Sources
Every official dataset behind the tools, with licences and update dates
Read guide