American Resume vs British CV: Complete Guide & Differences

Searching for work across the Atlantic? Making the jump from British job applications to American ones can feel like learning a whole new language. I've helped countless professionals navigate this transition, and trust me, the differences between a British CV and an American resume go far beyond just spelling "colour" differently.

The reality is that your perfectly crafted UK CV might not land you interviews in America - not because your experience isn't valuable, but because American employers have different expectations. Understanding these resume differences isn't just helpful; it's essential for your job search success.

What Makes American Resumes Different?

Let's start with the basics. In Britain, we call it a CV (Curriculum Vitae, meaning "course of life" in Latin). Americans prefer the term "resume." But this isn't just about vocabulary - it reflects a fundamental difference in approach.

According to recent research from MyPerfectResume, in the U.S., resumes are commonly used for most job applications, while CVs are reserved for specific fields. In the U.K. and many other countries in Europe and Asia, CV is the standard document for all job applications.

When I first moved from London to New York, I made the mistake of sending my three-page British CV to American companies. The response was crickets. It wasn't until I learned about American resume conventions that interviews started rolling in.

Length: The One-Page Rule

Here's where many Brits struggle. Your detailed, comprehensive CV that works perfectly in Manchester or Edinburgh? It needs serious trimming for Manhattan or San Francisco.

British CV approach: Multiple pages are normal and expected. We include everything - detailed education history, comprehensive work descriptions, hobbies, and references.

American resume approach: One page is ideal, two pages maximum (and only for senior professionals). Every word must earn its place.

As noted by career experts at LiveCareer, resumes are generally 1-2 pages long and provide a brief overview of your skills and experience, tailored to the specific job. This length difference forces you to be laser-focused on what matters most. American employers want to see your value proposition quickly, not read your life story.

Content Structure: What to Include and What to Skip

Information That Doesn't Cross the Pond

Some standard British CV elements are actually problematic on American resumes:

• Personal photos: Never include these (it's actually illegal for employers to request them)
• Date of birth: Don't include it - age discrimination laws protect this information
• Marital status: Keep it private
• Detailed references: Simply write "References available upon request"

Research from CVCorrect confirms that British CVs typically include date of birth and sometimes nationality, while American resumes generally omit date of birth due to anti-discrimination laws.

What American Employers Want to See

American resumes focus heavily on measurable achievements. Instead of listing job duties, you need to show results with numbers, percentages, and concrete outcomes.

British style: "Responsible for managing team and improving processes" American style: "Led 8-person team to achieve 23% productivity increase over 6 months"

This shift from responsibilities to achievements is crucial for American resume success.

Essential American Resume Sections

Every effective American resume includes these core components:

1. Professional Summary

Replace your British personal statement with a punchy professional summary. Keep it 2-3 lines maximum, highlighting your biggest strengths and career goals.

2. Work Experience

List positions in reverse chronological order. Use bullet points with strong action verbs:

• Increased sales by 40%
• Developed new training program
• Managed $2M budget

3. Skills Section

Create a dedicated skills section featuring:

• Technical skills (software, programming languages)
• Industry-specific abilities
• Language proficiencies

4. Education

Keep this concise. Include degree, institution, and graduation year. Skip detailed course descriptions unless directly relevant.

Resume Section	British CV	American Resume
Length	2-4 pages	1-2 pages
Personal Info	Age, photo, marital status	Name, contact only
Content Focus	Comprehensive history	Relevant achievements
References	Listed on document	"Available upon request"

Language and Cultural Adaptations

Spell It the American Way

This might seem obvious, but consistency matters. As highlighted by BachelorPrint, differences lie in vocabulary, grammar and spelling when composing documents for different countries:

• Organisation → Organization
• Realise → Realize
• Colour → Color
• Centre → Center
• Programme → Program

Job Titles and Terminology

Some British job titles don't translate directly:

• Managing Director → Chief Executive Officer
• Personnel → Human Resources
• Holiday → Vacation
• CV → Resume

Show Your Results

American business culture values quantifiable success. Every major accomplishment should include numbers when possible. Instead of saying you "improved customer satisfaction," state you "increased customer satisfaction scores from 3.2 to 4.1 out of 5."

Formatting for American Standards

American resumes typically use:

• Clean, simple layouts (avoid fancy graphics or unusual fonts)
• Consistent formatting throughout
• White space for readability
• Standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman
• 11-12 point font size
• Letter size paper (8.5 x 11 inches) instead of A4 format

Industry-Specific Considerations

Different American industries have varying expectations:

Tech Industry: Emphasize technical skills, programming languages, and project outcomes. Include links to portfolios or GitHub profiles.

Finance: Focus on quantifiable achievements, regulatory knowledge, and risk management experience.

Healthcare: Highlight certifications, patient outcomes, and compliance experience.

Creative Fields: Consider a slightly more visual approach, but keep it professional.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

After reviewing hundreds of British-to-American resume transitions, here are the most frequent mistakes I see:

1. Including too much personal information - American employers legally cannot ask about age, marital status, or family situation

2. Using passive language - American resumes demand active, achievement-focused language

3. Forgetting to quantify results - Numbers speak louder than words in American business culture

4. Ignoring applicant tracking systems (ATS) - Many American companies use software to screen resumes initially

5. Overlooking cultural nuances - Understanding American workplace culture helps you position yourself effectively

Adapting Your British CV: Step-by-Step

Experts at Enhancv note that British CVs and American resumes are similar but with a few crucial differences. Resumes tend to be shorter, more concise, and job-targeted documents than CVs.

Step 1: Content Audit

Review your current CV and identify:

• Information to remove (personal details, photo, detailed references)
• Achievements to quantify with numbers
• Outdated or irrelevant experiences to cut

Step 2: Language Transformation

• Convert British spelling to American
• Replace job titles with American equivalents
• Strengthen action verbs (led, achieved, increased, developed)

Step 3: Structure Reorganization

• Create compelling professional summary
• Reorganize work experience with bullet points
• Add dedicated skills section
• Streamline education section

Step 4: Final Polish

• Ensure one-page length (or two for senior roles)
• Verify consistent formatting
• Proofread for American spelling and grammar

Making Your Resume ATS-Friendly

Many American companies use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes before human review. Career experts at Resume.io suggest using AI resume writer tools to tailor your resume quickly for different regions. To pass these digital gatekeepers:

• Use standard section headings ("Work Experience," not "Professional Journey")
• Include relevant keywords from job descriptions
• Save as both PDF and Word formats
• Avoid graphics, tables, or unusual formatting
• Use simple, clean layouts

Academic vs Professional Applications

It's worth noting that the rules change for academic positions. According to Wordvice, academic CVs are not restricted by page count, unlike resumes, and serve different purposes for research, teaching, and faculty positions.

Regional and Format Considerations

As highlighted by career specialists at Zety, British CV layout rules are largely the same as American resume layout rules, with both formats offering chronological and skills-based options. However, American resumes also include a hybrid or combination format.

The Bottom Line

Transforming your British CV into an American resume isn't just about changing spelling or cutting length. It's about understanding different cultural expectations around work, achievement, and professional presentation.

American employers want to see results, not just responsibilities. They value concision over comprehensiveness. They expect you to sell yourself confidently rather than modestly listing qualifications.

The good news? Your British experience and education are valuable in the American job market. The key is presenting them in a way that resonates with American hiring managers and gets you through their selection process.

Remember, your resume is your first impression. Make it count by showing American employers exactly what value you bring to their organization - in language and format they understand and appreciate. With these resume differences in mind, you'll be much better positioned to land interviews and launch your American career successfully.