Resume writing for UK professionals moving to the USA
A UK CV sent to a US employer stands out for the wrong reasons: the wrong length, the wrong paper size and the wrong spelling. We rebuild it as an American resume that a US recruiter can read in seconds.
Cities: New York, Boston, Chicago, Austin, San Francisco
Get my free CV diagnosis | Services and prices | Recruiter-made CV rebuild: £80, one-time
UK CV vs US resume
| UK CV | US resume | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is called | CV | Resume; a CV is an academic or medical document |
| Length | Two pages | One page early in your career, two at most for experienced professionals |
| Paper size | A4 | US Letter |
| Spelling | British | American: 'organization', 'program', 'analyze' |
| Personal details | Name and contact details | Name, contact details and city; no photo, age, nationality or marital status |
| Right to work | Not stated | Stated honestly, including whether you need sponsorship |
4 rules for your US resume
- Cut it to fit. US recruiters expect brevity. Keep the last ten to fifteen years, cut older roles to a line each, and remove anything that does not support the job you want.
- Switch to US Letter and American spelling. A4 margins and British spelling mark you as an outsider before anyone reads a word. Both are quick fixes.
- Lead every bullet with a result. American resumes are written as evidence. Start each line with what changed: revenue, cost, time, scale.
- Be clear about sponsorship. Most UK professionals need a visa sponsor or an intra-company transfer. Recruiters screen for it, and being upfront saves wasted interviews.
Sectors hiring in USA
Technology, finance, healthcare, engineering and professional services are the most common routes for UK professionals, often through an internal move with a current employer. New York, Boston, Chicago, Texas and California are the main hubs.
- Technology
- Finance
- Healthcare
- Engineering
- Professional services
Check your route before you apply
There is no general work visa for UK citizens. Most people move through employer sponsorship, an intra-company transfer, or a specialist or investor route. US Citizenship and Immigration Services explains the current options.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: Working in the United States
We write CVs, not visa advice. Rules change, so always confirm with the official source.
Who rebuilds your CV
Your CV is rebuilt by UK recruiters with 25+ years of experience across the UK and the Middle East. We are not a recruitment agency in USA and we do not place candidates there. What we do is rebuild your British CV the way employers in USA expect to read it, and tell you plainly what has to change.
CVs for USA: common questions
How long should a US resume be?
One page early in your career and two pages at most for experienced professionals. Older roles can be cut to a single line or left off.
Should I put my nationality on a US resume?
No. Leave off nationality, age, photo and marital status. State your work authorisation instead, including whether you need sponsorship.
Can UK recruiters write a US resume?
Yes, for the format and the evidence, which is what decides the first read. We are not a US recruitment agency and do not place candidates there. We make your British experience readable and comparable for US hiring managers.