USA Profile Expectations
Impact‑first, no photo, concise with proof links.
Table of Contents
Outcome‑first writing and verification are the norm.
Understanding US Profile Standards
US employers have distinct expectations for professional profiles. Achievement-first writing, no photos, and quantified results are the norm. The American recruiting process differs fundamentally from European standards – here, measurable impact is paramount.
The American market prioritizes what you've accomplished over who you are. Lead with impact, back it up with proof. This results-oriented culture reflects American business philosophy: numbers speak louder than words, actions matter more than titles.
Key US Profile Principles:
The American Recruiting Context
The US has the strictest anti-discrimination laws globally. Photos, age, marital status aren't just uncommon – they can create legal risks for employers. Simultaneously, the market is extremely competitive – your profile must convince in 6 seconds.
Practical Tips for the US Market
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for every achievement bullet. Link actively to your work – GitHub contributions, published articles, conference talks. US recruiters invest time in verifying claims, make it easy for them.
- No photo – reduces bias, focuses on qualifications, protects against discrimination
- Achievement-first – every bullet leads with results, not responsibilities
- Quantify everything – numbers, percentages, dollar amounts make impact tangible
- Proof links – portfolio, repos, case studies expected and actively verified
- Action verbs – start every bullet with strong action words (Led, Increased, Launched)
- Reverse chronological – most recent and relevant experience first
Expectations
Achievement‑first
Lead with outcomes and metrics. Every bullet starts with a measurable result.
No photo
Focus on evidence and skills. Photos create legal risks for employers.
Concise
Short bullets, clear sections. 6-second test: Is your value proposition immediately clear?
Proof links
Portfolio, repos, or demos. Make achievements verifiable and tangible.
Action verbs
Strong action words: Led, Increased, Launched, Drove, Optimized, Scaled.
Quantification
Numbers, percentages, dollar amounts. '30% faster' beats 'significant improvement'.
ATS optimization
90% of US companies use Applicant Tracking Systems. Keywords are critical.
Professional summary
3-4 line executive summary at top. Your elevator pitch in text form.
No
Photo
Avoid bias, focus on proof
1
Page
Compact overview (2 for senior)
Yes
Links
Portfolio, repos, case studies
Cultural Nuances in US Market
Direct communication
US culture values direct, confident communication. 'I led' not 'we achieved'.
Self‑promotion
Modesty is read as insecurity. Showcase your achievements clearly.
Results culture
The path matters less than the outcome. Focus on impact, not process.
Innovation mindset
Show how you improved things. Maintaining status quo isn't enough.
Work ethic
Long hours are normal. 'Fast-paced environment' isn't a red flag.
Career mobility
Job changes every 2-3 years are common and accepted, not negative.
Examples
| Worse (European) | Better (US-Style) |
|---|---|
| Managed projects | Led 5 cross‑functional product launches; drove 22% user adoption in 90 days ($1.2M ARR impact) |
| Great communicator | Facilitated weekly stakeholder reviews (20+ participants); achieved 4.8/5 satisfaction rating |
| Responsible for team leadership | Managed team of 8 engineers; reduced sprint cycle time by 35% through Agile process optimization |
| Participated in key decisions | Influenced C‑suite strategy on cloud migration; saved $400K annually in infrastructure costs |
| Worked with marketing team | Partnered with Marketing to launch SEO initiative; increased organic traffic 180% (50K → 140K monthly visitors) |
Lead with impact — link to proof. Numbers tell stories words cannot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I include a photo on my US profile?
No. US employers avoid photos to prevent bias and protect themselves from legal risks. The Equal Employment Opportunity Act (EEO) prohibits discrimination based on appearance, age, ethnicity.
Focus instead on skills, achievements, and proof of work. A LinkedIn profile with photo is acceptable, but the formal resume stays photo-free.
Exceptions: Acting, modeling, TV hosting – here headshots are submitted separately.
How do I write achievement-first?
Start each bullet with a result: 'Increased revenue by 25% ($500K)' not 'Responsible for sales strategy'. The formula: Action Verb + Task + Quantified Result.
Use numbers, percentages, dollar amounts. Compare before/after: 'Reduced customer churn from 15% to 8% through personalized onboarding program'.
STAR method: Situation (context), Task (your role), Action (what you did), Result (measurable outcome). Example: 'In response to 40% drop in user engagement (S), tasked with retention strategy (T), implemented gamification features (A), resulting in 60% increase in daily active users (R)'.
What proof links should I include?
GitHub repos (critical for tech roles), portfolio websites, published case studies, LinkedIn recommendations, conference talks (YouTube/Vimeo), industry articles, patent references.
US employers verify claims more than other markets. 85% of recruiters Google candidates. Make positive findings easy to discover.
Best practice: Short URLs, QR codes for print versions. Use bit.ly or custom domain for professional links.
Should I include personal information?
Minimal. NO age, birthdate, marital status, religion, photo, nationality (except visa status). This information isn't just uncommon in the US – it can create legal problems for employers.
Keep focus on professional qualifications and achievements. Exception: For international applicants, visa status can be relevant ('Authorized to work in US' or 'H-1B visa sponsored').
What's OK: LinkedIn profile URL, professional portfolio website, GitHub, Twitter (if career-relevant).
How long should a US-style profile be?
One page for most roles (0-10 years experience). Two pages maximum for senior/executive positions (10+ years). The 6-second rule: recruiters decide in 6 seconds whether to read on.
Quality and impact over length. Three strong, quantified bullets beat ten weak ones. Cut ruthlessly – only relevant, impressive achievements.
One-page format forces prioritization. If you can't decide what's important, neither can the recruiter.
What's the difference between Resume and CV in the USA?
In the USA: Resume = 1-2 pages, for business/corporate roles. CV = academic document (professors, researchers), can be 10+ pages with complete publication list.
For 95% of jobs you need a resume, not a CV. Exceptions: academic positions, medical research, scientific grants.
Resume focus: relevant achievements from last 10-15 years. CV focus: complete academic career, all publications, grants, conferences.
Create a US-Ready Profile
Our AI-powered editor formats your profile for the American market with achievement-first writing and ATS optimization.