US resume & interview norms (what’s different here)

Who this is for

Job-seekers adapting to US hiring norms — new immigrants, students on OPT, and career-changers.

The US resume (what to do — and NOT do)

• Leave OFF: photo, date of birth/age, marital status, religion, nationality, "father's name." US employers don't ask for these (including them can look unfamiliar or raise bias concerns).
• Length: 1 page (early career) to 2 pages (experienced). Concise beats comprehensive.
• Reverse-chronological, with quantified bullet points — "increased X by 20%," "handled 50+ tickets/day" — results, not just duties.
• Tailor each application to the job description, and use its keywords (many employers screen with software/ATS that matches keywords).
• Contact + LinkedIn: name, phone, email, city/state, LinkedIn URL. A current LinkedIn profile matters here.

The interview

• Research the company + role beforehand; have 2–3 specific reasons you fit.
• Tell stories with structure — the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) answers "tell me about a time…" questions well.
• Ask thoughtful questions at the end (about the team, the work) — it signals interest.
• Send a brief thank-you email within a day — a small US convention that leaves a good impression.
• Confident, not boastful — own your achievements with specifics; US interviews reward clear self-advocacy more than modesty.

Tips

• Networking beats cold applying — referrals get interviews; use LinkedIn + the community + alumni.
• References go on a separate sheet ("available on request"), not on the resume.
• Proofread — typos sink resumes; have someone review it.