The provided source material consists of guidance on creating a US-style resume (CV) for job applications within the United States. The information is drawn from two online resources, Enhancv.com and VisualCV.com, which offer advice and templates for crafting professional resumes. The source material does not contain any information related to free samples, promotional offers, no-cost product trials, brand freebies, or mail-in sample programmes across categories such as beauty, baby care, pet products, health, food, and household goods. Consequently, it is not possible to write the requested article based on the provided source data.
Below is a factual summary of the information contained in the provided source material, focusing solely on the topic of US resume writing.
US Resume Format and Structure
The source material provides specific guidelines for formatting a resume for the US job market. A standard US resume is typically one page in length, with two pages reserved for seasoned candidates or C-level executives. The document should be formatted for US letter size, which is different from the standard A4 print setting.
Contact Information: Contact details should be placed in the resume header. This should include the candidate's name, professional title, email address, a link to a LinkedIn profile or portfolio, and a US phone number. The sources advise against using a high-school email address or a generic job title.
Personal Summary: An optional personal summary section can be included, particularly for experienced job seekers. This provides a snapshot of the candidate's history and skillset. The summary should be short and punchy.
Work Experience: The work experience section should be written in reverse-chronological order, with the most recent position at the top. Each entry should include the job title, organisation name, employment dates, and location. A short description of the company is optional, especially for startups or NGOs. The sources recommend using 3-6 bullet points per role to describe duties and achievements, with a focus on quantified results. It is crucial to use action verbs and industry-specific keywords from the job description to enhance the application's relevance for both human recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Education: Educational achievements should also be listed in reverse-chronological order. For recent graduates, it is acceptable to include a GPA only if it is high and relevant to the job.
Skills: A dedicated skills section is recommended. This can list technical skills, languages, and soft skills. Skills can be listed in a bullet format or integrated into job descriptions. For technical roles, hard skills can be highlighted under specific job descriptions.
Resume Photo: The sources consistently advise against including a photograph on a US resume to avoid potential discrimination and bias, and because photos can confuse ATS scanners. An exception is noted for creative roles (e.g., film, graphic design, performing arts), where a professional picture may be beneficial for building a personal brand.
Formatting and ATS Optimisation: To ensure a resume is parsed correctly by ATS software, the sources recommend using clean, readable fonts and standard headings such as "Experience," "Skills," and "Education." Bullet points are preferred over dense paragraphs for clarity. The document should be submitted as a PDF unless otherwise specified, as this format is generally parseable by ATS.
Resume for Candidates with No Work Experience: For first-time job seekers or recent graduates, the sources suggest focusing on education, skills, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and any part-time jobs or internships. The education section should be placed near the top of the resume.