resume american

US Resume (Format, Tips & Examples for 2024)

If you’re applying for a job in the US, you’ll need to submit a resume that meets US application standards.

As a foreigner, though, you may have little to no idea what a US resume is and how you should write one to land the job. 

Even as an American, you might need to dust off your knowledge on the US resume. 

Unless you’re a resume expert, you probably don’t know what’s the best format for a US resume, or what’s the correct page length. 

But worry not! This article is here to teach you all there is to know about writing a convincing US resume.

Here’s what we’re going to cover: 

• US Resume Specifics 

Step-By-Step Guide to Build Your US Resume

• Formatting Your US Resume

What NOT To Include in Your US Resume

Ready? Let’s dive in! 

US Resume Specifics

There are a few specific things you need to know when it comes to the US resumes, but let’s start off with the most important: 

The term US resume is equivalent to the European CV. 

Both are one-page documents that summarize your relevant experiences, tailored for a specific job you’re applying for.

Additionally: 

• The common length of a US resume is between 1-3 pages. If you are a recent graduate or someone with less than 5 years of relevant work experience, a one-page resume is enough, whereas if you are a seasoned professional, you can go for 2. In rare cases, you can do 3, but that’s rarely encouraged. 
• Standard American English is preferred. For the most part, this means dropping those extra “U”s that UK English uses (e.g. “color” instead of “colour”). 
• Leave out personal information , such as marital status, birthday, gender, photo, number of children, age, religion, personal identification numbers, and ethnicity/country of origin, as they can be grounds for discrimination.
• Don’t include references in your US resume unless the employer specifically asks you to.
• Don’t list English as a foreign language in your US resume (unless English isn’t your foreign language).
• Don’t list your GPA, SAT, TOEFL, or ACT scores on your US resume unless otherwise stated. More often than not, the recruiter doesn't care.  

Now that you know the specifics of a US resume, it’s time to start writing one. 

Not sure where to start? 

Below is a step-by-step guide to building the perfect US resume, starting with: 

#1. Choose the Right Format 

The most popular US resume format is the chronological format (also known as the reverse-chronological format). 

This format is widely preferred by recruiters, and for a good reason—it puts the focus on your work experience by starting with your most recent job and making your way back. 

The reverse-chronological format looks like this:

99% of the time, we recommend using the reverse-chronological resume format, as both US and international recruiters are used to it.

Want to learn more about different resume formats ? Check out our article.

#2. Follow These Formatting Tips

Making sure your US resume looks professional and is reader-friendly is just as important as what it contains. 

Here are some essential formatting tips to perfect your US resume: 

• Make sure your US resume is divided into clear, separate sections. 
• Use 1-1.15 line spacing.
• Keep your US resume length between 1-2 pages. Only go for a third page if you are a seasoned professional with plenty of relevant work experience.
• Use a professional but easy-to-read resume font . 
• Opt for ample white space to make your resume easier on the eye.
• Use the "US Letter" size (8.5 x 11 inches) when saving your PDF (instead of A4). In Novorésumé's editor , for example, you can switch this from "Layout" in the top menu. 

...Or Use a Resume Template 

No matter what format you choose, using a standard text editor like MS Word to create your US resume will be a pain. 

You have to choose the right font, adjust the margins, order your sections the right way, and make sure the end result looks good & easy to follow…

All this can take hours of your time before you can even start filling your resume with content!

Want to skip all the hustle?  

Use a resume builder. With just one click, you can choose out of 8+ resume templates and start building your resume instantly!

Our resume builder is fast, easy, and most importantly, the end result looks absolutely stunning.

See for yourself! Here's an example of our resumes saved in the US Letter format: 

Choose one of these templates and tailor it to your needs! 

#2. List Your Contact Information 

Once you’ve picked the resume format (or template), it’s time to start filling in the contents.

The first thing on your US resume should be your contact information , which includes:

• Name and surname
• Phone number (US phone number, that is)
• Address (City and State)

Optionally, you can also include links to a personal website, online portfolio, or even LinkedIn profile, but make sure to check if they are up to date and present you in the best light.

#3. Express Yourself in Your Resume Profile

Your resume profile is a short, introductory paragraph of your career or your professional goals. 

Depending on how it’s written, a resume profile is also known as either a resume summary or objective .

• Resume Summary , or a 2-3 sentence summary of your career.
• Resume Objective , or your motivation for getting into a new field (the goal of your resume, if you wish).

If you’re a seasoned professional with several years of experience, you should use a resume summary to highlight your experience and achievements. 

On the other hand, if you’re at the start of your career or if you’re changing industries, opt for a resume objective , as it’s less about work experience and more about skills or goals.

Your resume profile must be brief and to the point. Preferably, it should be between 2-3 sentences and urge the hiring manager to read the rest of your resume. 

Here’s an example of a well-written resume summary: 

• “Marketing manager with 4+ years of experience in a corporate environment. Good eye for design, with experience in creating marketing materials with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Canva. Intermediate copywriting skills, having worked on the company website, flyers, and several other content pieces.”

#4. Add Your Work Experience 

Unless you’re a recent graduate, your work experience section is the most important part of your resume, as it shows your past accomplishments and responsibilities. 

This section commonly includes the following: 

• Job Title/Position , so that the recruiter scanning your application knows right away you have the relevant experience for the job. 
• Company name and location . In some cases, especially if your previous employer isn’t as well-known, you may also want to add a brief company description. 
• Dates employed in the mm/yyyy format. 
• Accomplishments and responsibilities , which make up the core of each work entry. Depending on your field and years of experience, you want to list either responsibilities or achievements, in bullet points. 

Here’s a concrete example: 

Now there’s one thing to list your work experience and an entirely different thing to write a work experience section that’ll help you stand out from a pool of hundreds of applicants.

Here are a few tips to achieve the latter:

• List your achievements when possible and use action words to mention your responsibilities. 
• When describing your achievements or responsibilities, follow this formula : “accomplished [X] as measured by [Y] by doing [Z]” (or, start with a verb, numerically measure what you accomplished, provide a baseline for comparison, and detail what you did to achieve your goal.)
• Add 4-6 bullet points for your most recent position and fewer as you go back in time.
• Even if you’re a senior professional with many years of experience, don’t go back further than 15 years. The recruiter doesn’t care what you’ve been up to so long ago.
• Tailor your resume to the job description. Read the job ad you’re applying for and identify the top experiences or skills listed. Then, make sure that your US resume includes the ones you’re qualified for.

#5. Include Your Education

Your education comes underneath the work experience section in your US resume.

Here are the essentials of how this section needs to be formatted and what to include there:

• Program Name. E.g.: “B.A. in Business Administration”
• University Name. E.g.: “Penn State University”
• Years Attended. E.g.: “08/2008 - 06/2012”

Here’s how this looks like in practice:

B.A. in Business Administration

NYC State University

08/2016 - 05/2019

• Magna Cum Laude
• Minor in Finance 

Finally, here are some tips and tricks on how to get this section done right:

• If you lack work experience, place your education section right on top of your resume. This way, you’ll put more emphasis on your academic background than your lack of experience.
• Add courses that are relevant to the industry you are applying to in case you lack work experience (e.g. Design & Layout, for a Graphic Designer position).
• Mention your latest educational entry on top. E.g. Master’s Degree goes on top of a B.A. which goes on top of your high school degree. 
• If you have a university degree, don’t mention your high school degree at all. 

#6. Emphasize Your Strengths in Your Skills Section

Another staple of a US resume is the skills section. This includes all the know-how that makes you the perfect candidate for the job. 

There are two types of skills you want to include: 

• Hard skills , or measurable abilities. Here is where you include skills like Photoshop or Microsoft Office. 
• Soft skills , or personal skills. They include a combination of people skills, communication skills , interpersonal skills , career attributes, etc. 

Keep in mind, though, that a strong skills section doesn’t consist of every skill you ever acquired.

The recruiter doesn’t care about your skills in Photoshop if you’re applying for a job as an accountant.

Rather, they specifically care about the skills that’ll make you a top-performer at the job you’re applying for.

So, go through the job ad you’re applying for and pinpoint the exact skills that are required for the role.

Then, make sure that your US resume mentions the same skills (as long as you possess the skills, of course).

Additionally, make sure to include both soft skills and hard skills into your skills section, as recruiters value applicants we have some of both.    

For example:

#7. Include These Additional Sections

Already included all the sections we’ve mentioned so far but still have some space in your US resume?

You can include some of these optional sections: 

• Internships
• Hobbies and interests
• Volunteer experience
• Certifications and awards
• Publications

Keep in mind that these sections aren’t as important as the ones we’ve covered before. You’re not going to get hired just because you’re into creative writing as a hobby.

That said, these sections do help the recruiter pick between equally capable candidates.

Meaning, someone with work and volunteering experience is more likely to get hired than someone who only has work experience to show for.  

Equally important to remember are all the things you should NOT include in your US resume:

• Personal information, such as marital status, birthday, gender, photo, number of children, age, religion, personal identification numbers, and ethnicity/country of origin, because they can be grounds for discrimination. 
• Authorization to work in the US, which includes your Social Security Number or immigrant status. By law, only after making you an offer can employers ask if you’re eligible to work in the US. 
• References. Including references on a US resume is not standard practice. If the employer is interested, they will ask for them. 

Key Takeaways 

If you’re applying for a job in the US, you’ll need to submit a US resume. Here are the main points this article covered on the topic: 

• The US resume is equivalent to the European CV.
• The common length of a US resume is 1-2 pages and standard American English is preferred over British English. 
• The most popular format for a US resume is the chronological format. 
• Format your US resume to 1-1.15 line spacing and clear and separate sections, as well as use professional and readable fonts. 
• Don’t include in your US resume: personal information such as your age, ethnicity, or gender, authorization to work in the US, and references. 

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• • Led a team of 16 engineers working on a new media library solution
• • Managed the research and built the new pricing strategy
• • Planned, beta-tested and led the rollout of a new internal communications system to all 400+ employees in 6 locations
• • Led the research for building the personal development platform Sunrise employees use currently
• • Manage recruitment and resources training (more than 50 resources trained and coached)
• • Brought in the user perspective to 4 successfully launched projects
• • Decisions affected a total user base of 400,000+
• • Led the launch of a new invoicing software in just 4 months​
• • Led engineering team of 3
• • Researched, tested and devised full gamification framework
• • Planned event calendar & communications for 23 events
• • On-site help and communications

5 US Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

Your US resume must immediately grab the attention of the employer. It should highlight your most relevant experiences and skills. Ensure your US resume is clear and concise, making it easy for hiring managers to see your value. Tailor it to the job you're applying for, so your fit for the position is undeniable.

All resume examples in this guide

Resume Guide

Professional us resume example, how to write an american resume, american resume header examples, american resume experience samples, the top skills to include on a us resume, special case, key takeaways: what makes a great american resume.

You’re on the hunt for a new job, but first, you need to write an impressive resume.

While resumes and CVs are relatively the same across most countries, there are a few important differences you need to consider.

American resumes have extra requirements that can mean the difference between getting hired, or getting your resume tossed to the side without a second glance.

This guide will help you write a job-winning resume that fits all the US resume standards.

What you will learn:

• The best length and format to use for your American resume
• What not to include to avoid having your resume thrown away
• How to use keywords to pass through Applicant Tracking Systems
• What American hiring managers are looking for in their ideal candidate

What’s the American resume format?

American resumes almost always use a reverse chronological resume format . This resume layout highlights the most recent experience first, then moves backwards in reverse chronological order through the employment history.

This American resume style also includes information about education , career objectives and skillset , but work experience is the priority feature.

How long is an American resume?

Most American hiring managers want to see one-page resumes .

In the US, it’s standard practice to stick to one page. Recruiters only look at resumes for 7 seconds , so it’s essential that you keep yours concise and scannable at first glance.

If you’re struggling to fit your entire work history into one page, focus on your most recent and relevant experience. If you had an unrelated job over 10 years ago to the one you want now, it doesn’t need to be on your resume.

Recommended American resume sections

• Resume summary
• Experience section
• Skills section
• An overview of your

What recruiters want to see in a US resume

• Proof that you can be valuable to their business
• Examples of your real-world results in former roles
• Genuine enthusiasm for the role you’re applying to
• Highly relevant information, kept down to one page

US companies have to follow strict anti-discrimination laws when it comes to hiring.

It’s essential that you know what information you can include in your resume header , and which details you should leave out.

Otherwise, your resume might be trashed before the hiring manager even reads it.

Here’s an example of an American resume header with way too much information.

There are a couple of things wrong in this header:

• The full address is included. It’s a good safety practice to include nothing other than just your city and state.
• Adding a photo of yourself to your resume can be great in some countries to add a face to the name, but in the US, it’s a big no-no. Employers have to prove that they’re not being discriminatory in their hiring. Having a photo in your resume makes it very difficult for them to comply.

Let’s take a look at a US resume header sample with the right information.

This one hits the mark!

• The job title is more descriptive by including the seniority level.
• It has the right contact information , including an email address and phone number.
• The applicant included their LinkedIn URL , so the hiring manager can look into them further.
• Most importantly, it’s compliant with hiring laws, by not including a photo or detailed address (just the city and state is enough)

Results and achievements are important in the American workforce. When a hiring manager in the US is scanning your resume, they’re looking to see if you have what it takes to deliver value to the company.

No matter what industry you’re in, you should be specific in your experience section and highlight any achievements and/or improvements you made while on the job.

For extra brownie points, include real figures that backup your claims . Take a look at these resume experience section examples below for a clear picture on how to write yours.

• • Assisted the CEO with daily operations
• • Hired and onboarded new staff
• • Managed expenses
• • Booked business travel and meetings

These descriptions are too vague and only highlight your responsibilities. Every other applicant will have completed the same tasks in their former roles too, making it hard for you to stand out.

American hiring managers want to see how you can provide value to the role, so it’s important that you prove this in your experience section.

Here’s how:

• • Provided business and personal support to the CEO, managing their relationship with 300+ contacts in their network
• • Hired and onboarded new staff, who all achieved over 99% satisfactory scores at their performance reviews
• • Managed all employee expenses, reducing spending by 56% and saving $50,000.
• • Booked and managed over 20 business trips per year for the CEO.

In this experience section, the candidate ticks all the boxes! They’re using the right keywords that match the job description, such as “hire and onboard staff” or “manage employee expenses”.

They also use real data to back up their claims of success. Instead of just stating that they hired and onboarded new staff, they inspire confidence in the hiring manager by proving how those staff have gone on to be the right choice.

In your own experience section, think of ways that you can demonstrate and prove your value. What accomplishments did you achieve in your former roles? Did you improve revenue? Boost efficiency somehow? Win an award? These are all great points to mention to land an interview at a US company.

American companies hire just as much for culture fit as they do for technical skill .

The top soft skills for a US resume

• Communication (written and verbal)
• Team player
• Self-motivated
• Strong work ethic
• Problem solving
• Time management
• Attention to detail

The hard skills you add to your resume is dependent on the job you’re applying for. Be specific in your descriptions.

Tip: Look at the job description that you’re applying for and mirror the same keywords they’re using to describe the responsibilities of the role. Your resume will more likely pass through Applicant Tracking Systems.

For example, if you’re applying to be a data scientist and they’re looking for someone who knows the programming languages Java, Python, C and Scala, include those specific terms in your skills section.

Here’s a list of general hard skills that can inspire your resume. Use these examples and build on them to be more specific to your job role.

The top hard skills for a US resume

• Management skills
• Programming skills
• Engineering skills
• Analytical skills
• Writing skills
• Project management skills
• Construction skills
• Artistic skills
• Design skills
• Marketing skills
• Sales skills
• Medical skills
• Food & beverage skills
• Service industry skills

How to write an entry-level American resume

If you’re in a situation where you’ve just graduated from college or university, or you’re transitioning to a different career, you won’t have relevant work experience to highlight in your resume.

In this case, you will want to focus on education, side projects and skills, rather than experience.

The functional resume format is perfect for these special cases. This resume layout focuses on skills and education, rather than employment history.

To stand out from other candidates, write about side projects or university coursework that represents your skills in your industry.

For example, let’s say you’ve grown your Youtube channel as a hobby and have gone from 0 to 10,000 subscribers in 6 months. If you’re applying for an entry-level Marketing position, this would be an amazing accomplishment to mention, since it proves your skills as a marketer and your passion for the role.

Talking about related projects and hobbies will help to boost your credibility as an entry-level candidate.

A job-winning US resume needs to cover these points:

• Use a reverse chronological resume format, and stick to one page.
• Don’t include overly-personal information like your full address or a photo of yourself.
• Read the job description and mirror the same keywords they use in your skills and experience sections.
• Include a mix of soft skills and hard skills to impress hiring managers
• Add real-life data about your accomplishments to back up your claims.
• If you’re just out of college or university, focus on your education, skills and side projects in your American resume.

Looking to build your own US resume?

• Resume Examples

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• Career Development

US Resume Format: How to Write and Best Practice Examples

13 min read

Are you a foreign national applying for your first job in the US? If so, did you know that the standard US resume format often differs from requirements in other countries? Therefore, you'll want to use the appropriate US resume format to increase your chances of landing a job.

Or maybe you’re a US citizen, searching for your first or next work opportunity. In that case, ensuring your resume is up to par with current US resume formatting requirements is worth the effort.

Regardless of which scenario represents you, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we'll go over the information you need to include on a resume in the US, information you should never include, and best practices to present your information in the best possible light. Tips on how to write your resume, with a sample resume template, are also included to help increase your chances of getting a job in the United States. 

What are the different US resume format options?

There are  three primary types of US resume formats :

The traditional reverse chronological format 

The strategic functional layout

The best-of-both worlds hybrid resume

All of these options include similar information, but with a different layout. This piece will focus on the  reverse chronological resume format , which is the most common and familiar format used in the US.

What to include on a US resume

Here’s the basic information a hiring manager or employer in the US is looking for on your resume:

Name and contact information

Work experience

Qualifications

Generally, the work experience section will make up the majority of your resume when using a reverse chronological format, unless you have little to no work experience. In that case, your education section will take center stage.

You can optimize your resume with keywords tailored to the job position you’re applying for. For more information on what your resume needs to include, check out these resources:

How Long Your Resume Should Be ?

Good Skills to Put On Your Resume

What Does Relevant Experience on a Resume Mean?

What not to include on a US resume

There are several types of information you should exclude from your resume if you want to be a competitive applicant in the US. Don't include any of the following, unless specifically directed otherwise by the employer: 

Personal details . These include your date of birth, gender, religion, country of origin, ethnicity, marital status, or identification numbers, such as your social security number. US employers don’t need or want to see this information during the application stage, since it can lead to discrimination and confidentiality concerns. 

A headshot. Including a photo raises another discrimination issue by identifying your sex, and potentially your age and ethnicity. It also takes up valuable room on your resume that’s better used to describe your suitability. Only provide a headshot or photo if asked to do so, or if you're in a profession that requires it, like entertainment or the performing arts. 

Your full address. Stick to the city or location of where you live, plus the state. Street names or numbers provide too much information and take up space unnecessarily. 

Country prefix. You should include a phone number on your resume, though only if it’s a 10-digit US number. Include your area code but not the country prefix. Example: (555) 555-5555.

References. Only include references if the job posting specifically instructs you to provide them. Most employers will ask for references later in the hiring process if they want them.

Exam scores. Including your ACT, SAT, GMAT, TOEFL, or other test scores on your resume is not standard practice. Hiring managers are more interested in your experience and education.

Resume best practices for US applications

Now that you know the basics of what to include and what not to include for US employers, it's time to dive into some US resume formatting best practices. 

Layout flow

The standard US resume begins with your name and contact information at the top. From there, you'll include your headline, professional profile, core competencies / skills, work experience, education, and certifications, typically in that order. Depending on your circumstances, you may add specialized content, like volunteer experience, awards, publications, and organizational affiliations. 

Formatting standards

Margins, line spacing, font size, font type, and resume length are all considerations to ensure you meet US resume formatting guidelines.

Margins should be set at minimum of a half-inch at the top and bottom and three quarters of an inch on the sides, with the maximum being one inch all around.

Use between 1.15 and 1.5-point line spacing between text and double lines after headings. 

The font you choose should be easy to read. Georgia, Arial, Lato, Helvetica, Cambria, and Calibri are all good resume font options. 

Make the text easy to read. Use a font size of 10 to 12 point for the content that falls under each section of your resume. Titles and headers should be around 14 to 16 point font. 

Use a resume template that already has the formatting set up.

Regarding length, your resume should be  one to two pages in length ,  maximum. If you're early in your career, stick to one page. If you're an experienced professional, two pages is acceptable. Only in rare instances should your resume ever be longer than two pages. You might be able to get away with three pages if you're applying for a high-level senior or executive role, have been asked to list all your past work experience in detail, or are applying for jobs where longer resumes are expected, like academic positions or US federal government jobs.  

Template selection

The template you choose should be modern and ATS-friendly. Simple is best when it comes to the style of your resume. Black and white is standard and it's best to use bullet points with plenty of white space. Resumes with dense sections of content can frustrate the reader, reducing your chances of landing an interview. Avoid using graphics on your resume unless you're in an industry that warrants it, like fashion or graphic design. Even then, be mindful of an employer's  applicant tracking system (ATS) scans .

Employers use applicant tracking systems to streamline the hiring process. One capability of an ATS is rank job applicant resumes. If you want to get your resume to rank highly:

Avoid using designs, images, tables, charts, and fancy designs - clean, simple, and concise is best

Avoid acronyms and spell out abbreviations, so that you maximize the number of keywords in your resume

Send your resume file as a Word or PDF document with standard 8.5 X 11 sizing

Use an ATS-friendly resume template, like one of the 200 examples of  downable ATS-compatible templates  available on ZipJob

Only include information that’s relevant to the job you're applying for

Optimize your resume with keywords relevant to your target role

Keyword inclusion

Keywords not only help your resume to rank highly if it’s scanned by an ATS, but also grab the reader's attention to show you're a viable candidate for the job. Identify keywords to incorporate by reviewing the job posting and looking for the skills and phrases that align with your competencies and past achievements. 

Don’t keyword stuff. Keywords should be included so they’re part of the natural flow of your resume. 

Content development

US hiring managers are looking for the potential value you can add to the organization. Regardless of your titles or positions, you must show what you bring to the table. You want the reader to be able to easily and quickly view your abilities and accomplishments that represent your potential to succeed. 

When developing content for your resume:

Focus on experience and achievements that directly relate to the position you're seeking.

Use numbers to quantify achievements. Quantifiable data is a way to show, rather than tell the hiring manager what you're capable of. It allows them to visualize your potential in the role. For example, "Developed new process to collect customer satisfaction data, increasing customer response rates by 15%” is more informative and intriguing than "Developed process to collect customer satisfaction data."

Use American English with zero spelling or grammatical errors.

Be honest and accurate. Getting caught in a lie can mean losing out on the opportunity or even having an offer rescinded.

Omit details that don't support or add to the narrative.

How to write a resume for US employers

Now it's time to create the perfect US resume to land an interview. Below are five steps with examples to help you along the way. There’s also a full resume template to refer to at the end, so you can see the correct US resume format and flow discussed in each section. 

1. Provide your contact information

The first thing recruiters and hiring managers should see on your resume is your contact information, which includes:

First and last name

City and state

Phone number

Email address

LinkedIn URL

For example:

Phoenix, AZ | 555.555.5555 | [email protected] | linkedin.com/in/name/

You can opt to leave off the  LinkedIn URL . Alternatively, you can include a URL to your online portfolio or professional website. If you provide a URL, only choose one (LinkedIn is most common) and be sure the page is current and represents you well. 

2. Include a compelling headline and professional profile

The next section of your resume will include your headline and professional profile, sometimes referred to as a summary statement or professional summary. The headline highlights your job title or focus. The professional profile is a brief introduction that emphasizes your key accomplishments and skills and how you can add value to the organization. The goal of your profile is to grab the recruiter or hiring manager's attention and entice them to continue reading your resume.  

Here's an example:

Senior Marketing Director

Dedicated and ambitious marketing and communications leader with a keen understanding of market dynamics that impact regional, national, and international advertisers. Proven record of success in penetrating new market segments and steering account development, with more than 20% revenue growth over two quarters and a 30% increase in accounts in one year. In-depth knowledge of integration best practices across content types and mediums. Expert in creating successful brand strategies for organizations ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500s.

3. Highlight your skills and core competencies

Adding a  core competencies section  to your resume is another way to emphasize that you have the knowledge base to get the job done right. A list of core competencies can grab the attention of hiring managers and also help your resume to rank highly with an ATS. 

As a staple of any good resume, there are two types of skills you can highlight in this section:

Hard skills are the technical skills you possess and can be specific to particular jobs. Microsoft 365, typing, and AutoCAD are examples of hard skills. 

Soft skills are the personal skills you have. They’re necessary to succeed at most jobs and can be transferred between roles and sectors Interpersonal skills, effective communication, and creativity are examples of soft skills.

Some choose to include a core competencies or skills section at the bottom of their resume. However, it’s best to include your list of skills below your profile summary and above your work section so it’s one of the first things the reader sees. Additionally:

Tailor your core competencies list for each job posting. Be sure to include the ones you possess that are outlined in the job description.  

Keep your list short and focused, with about 8 to 10 skills included. 

As an example, an Accounting Specialist might include the following core competencies on their resume:

Certified Public Accountant | QuickBooks | Accounts Receivable | Research | Team Leadership | Accounts Payable | Collections | Customer Service | Tax Accounting | Risk Assessment

4. Showcase your work experience

Unless you have little to no work experience, the work experience section of your resume is most important. In this section, you tell your story and highlight your achievements. The typical US resume format includes the following work details:

Job title. The job title is listed first, allowing the reader to quickly see the positions you've held and how they're relevant to the job. 

Company name and location. List the company name and location below the job title. It's also an option to include a brief one-line summary of what the company does below the company name, if it isn't a well-known organization. 

Dates you held the position . Include the years you held the position to the right of the job title. 

Remit. Include a brief overview of the remit of the role.

Accomplishments. The core part of each job entry you include is the list of accomplishments and achievements. List about five to seven accomplishments for each position held. 

 Here are some pointers for completing the work section of your resume:

Tailor your resume to align with the job description. Review the job description carefully and ensure that any skills and accomplishments you have that meet the job requirements are included on your resume. 

Use powerful action verbs at the beginning of each achievement listed and use different verbs throughout. Led, developed, created, managed, stewarded, designed, built, devised and modeled are examples of strong action verbs. 

The standard is to include 10 to 15 years of work history. The employer is most concerned about recent work history and accomplishments, so there’s no need to go back more than 15 years. 

5. Include your education

Your education follows the work experience section unless you're a recent graduate or have minimal work experience. In that case, your education will come before the work section. Regardless, the essentials to include in the education section are:

Degree title

University name

Graduation year

You might choose to include honors, like Magna Cum Laude, and any minors you achieved, as well. Here’s an example:

Master of Art in Film and Media Production

New York State University, 2022

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration , Minor in Psychology

West Virginia University, Magna Cum Laude, 2020

If you don't have a college degree, you'll include your high school diploma or GED, for example:

High School Diploma

Philippi Colts High School, 2015

When listing a GED, list it as one of the following:

General Education Development Diploma

GED – High School Equivalency Diploma

Consider these tips when completing your education section:

If you have a college degree, don't mention your high school diploma or GED

List your most recent degree first when you have more than one degree

List relevant licenses and certifications below your degree

US resume format example

Create a US resume that sets you apart

Knowing how to format a resume for a job search in the US is half the battle. Now that you know the best practices and steps to create a resume based on US resume formatting guidelines, you can focus on producing a resume that sets you apart from other applicants. 

Want to ensure you have a resume that will land you a job in the United States? Why not submit your resume for a  free review  today? 

Recommended reading:

The Complete Guide to Listing Remote Work on Your Resume

What Does Relevant Experience on a Resume Mean? (+ Tips)

Best Email Subject Lines When Sending a Resume (+ Examples)

Ronda Suder, Professional Writer

With a drive to foster safety and expand possibilities through writing, performing, and working with others, Ronda brings 25 years of combined experience in HR, recruiting, career advice, communications, mental and behavioral health, and storytelling to her work. She’s a certified career coach and holds a Master’s in Human Resources, a Master’s in Film and Media Production, and a Master’s in Counseling and Development. As a writer, she’s covered topics ranging from finance and rock mining to leadership and internet technology, with a passion for career advice and mental-health-related topics. When she’s not at her computer, Ronda enjoys connecting with others, personal growth and development, spending time with her beloved pooch, and entertainment through movies, television, acting, and other artistic endeavors. You can connect with Ronda on  LinkedIn  and through her  website .

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Find a Job You Really Want In

If you are an international job seeker looking for a position in the United States, you are probably wondering what in the world an American resume is.

American resumes are different than many other international resumes and not keeping the style guide in mind when writing a resume for an American company can hurt you in the job-seeking process. Because of privacy and anti-discrimination laws, revealing too much on your resume might make American recruiters automatically dismiss your resume.

Key Takeaways:

American resumes are typically 1 page long, include information only relevant to the job you are applying to, and use the chronological format.

Make sure to use American English and American address formats.

American resumes include a header, a resume summary , and sections on work experience, education, and skills.

Do not include a profile picture, references, or your full address on your resume.

What Is an American Resume?

Types of american resume formats, what to include in an american resume, what not to include in an american resume, american resume formatting tips, american resume examples, final thoughts.

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American resumes have some noticeable differences than other international resumes. These include:

Relevancy. American resumes are concise documents that only contain information relevant to the job you are applying for. You will make sure that everything you add to your resume helps speak directly to your ability to perform the job you are applying for well.

One page. American recruiters want to see a summary of your skills and experiences, but usually, don’t want to read about it for more than a page . For most resumes, especially for recent graduates and entry-level positions, recruiters want to see a one-page resume. It allows them to see an accurate snapshot of your skills and expertise quickly and effectively without having to read through many pages for the same information.

Not a CV. Because of these page limits, an American resume is very concise and to the point. It is not the same as a CV that many other countries often use.

Use American English. When writing an American resume, there are other stylistic changes that you should consider. If English isn’t your first language, be sure to check to make sure you are spelling words according to American English, versus British English.

American address format. You also want to note the American way of addressing letters. Be sure to list your address in the American format in your resume.

Active language with keywords. American resumes require active language and many resumes are first read through by a computer. You read that right — your ability to make it to the final cut is often first determined by a computer. For that reason, you want to be sure to include relevant keywords throughout your resume that the computer can pick up on.

These are the basic large differences between an American resume and an international resume. But let’s take another step closer to see what is best to include in an American resume and what you should leave behind.

American resumes tend to be shorter and include less information from earlier in your education and careers than you may be used to. Most American resumes are limited to a single page , which can be a daunting task to create if you are used to writing multiple-page CVs.

Luckily, there are a few standard American resume formats that make it easy to transfer your CV’s info into a resume. The three major resume formats in America are:

Chronological resume . A chronological resume is the standard resume format that most job-seekers should use. It details all of your work history in reverse chronological order, meaning that your most recent experience is at the top, and your older experiences are at the bottom.

This format showcases recent, relevant work history and demonstrates a career of consistent upward movement. It also shows that you’ve worked without any major gaps in your employment.

Chronological resumes work just as well for entry-level workers as they do for people in the middle of their careers because the focus is the same: work experience that’s relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Functional resume . Functional resumes focus more on your skills as opposed to your work history. That means putting your skills section above your work experience section and going into more detail about each skill you list.

On a chronological resume, the skills section is relatively short, and not much description is given for each skill.

But on a functional resume, you should give a 2-3 sentence description of each of the 4-6 skills you choose to list. The experience section, on the other hand, is relatively brief, with only 1-2 bullet points for each of your previous jobs.

The functional resume format is a great choice for applicants who have long gaps in their employment history or want to change career paths completely.

Combination . A combination resume combines elements of the chronological and functional resume formats. This means including a lot of details for key skills and work experience.

This resume format is reserved for high-level executives and those aspiring to the upper echelon of American business. It won’t work well for entry-level job-seekers , but if you’re changing to a totally different job, field, or industry, then a combination resume can be a good choice.

You might be thinking that a good portion of your old resume is no longer allowed to be in an American resume. You might be asking, “What can I include?”

American resumes are all about being concise and relevant. If you are applying for a nursing position, for example, recruiters don’t want to read about your lawn mowing side hustles back in high school.

When writing an American resume, pay close attention to the job description . Make sure that everything on your resume can point back to one of the skills or qualifications needed for the job. If you are wondering what the relevant keywords are, look at the job description and use similar keywords and terminology they do.

An American resume should include the following sections:

Resume header . A resume header should include your contact information . In the United States, employers will like to see your full name, phone number, email address, and location ([City], [State] is fine — you don’t need to give your home address).

You can also include links to your online portfolio with samples of your work, your LinkedIn page , or your professional website, but these are all optional. There are plenty of ways to format your header, so look for examples and imitate a style that you like.

Resume summary or objective. If you’re an entry-level applicant, using a resume objective is a good choice. This should be a 2-3 sentence summary of what skills you hope to use in the occupation you’re applying for.

Most job-seekers, however, should use a resume summary statement . It’s a far more powerful tool that tells the hiring manager about your qualifications and proves them by including achievements from your past work experience. If you have the option, always use a resume summary statement over an objective.

Work experience . Work experience is the main focus of most American resumes, and it follows your resume objective/statement in the chronological resume format (the most popular choice).

For each job, list the company name, your job title, the dates you were employed, and then follow that information with 2-4 bullet points describing what you did at that job.

Most hiring managers know the responsibilities you had based on your job title, so don’t list everything you did. Instead, focus on your most impressive achievements . If you can, always use numbers to paint a more vivid picture of your impact.

For example, instead of saying “Answered customer calls,” write “Responded to an average of 40 customer calls every day.”

Education . Next, you’ll want to list your educational background. If you have had any jobs before, you don’t need to include your high school experience. Start with your most recent university degree.

Give the school’s name, the name of your degree or program, and the dates you attended. If you have very little work experience, you can include relevant coursework here.

If you think it will help your chances, you can also include your GPA (if it’s 3.5+), your honors/achievements from college, your minor, and any impressive extracurricular activities or volunteer experiences you were involved with. When you’re later in your career, you can start removing this information.

Skills . Next, you’ll want to include a skills section that has a healthy mix of hard skills (skills that can be taught) and soft skills (skills that relate to your ability to be a positive coworker, like time management and collaboration).

If you’re using a functional resume format, you should give a brief 2-3 sentence description of 4-6 of your most impressive skills.

If you’re using a chronological resume format, your skills section will be at the bottom of the page (unless you’re including optional sections). You can simply list 5-10 skills or list fewer and give a one-sentence description of each.

If you don’t know what skills to put on your resume, read the job description carefully. Look for what the necessary skills and qualifications are and use some of the same language. Of course, if you don’t actually have those skills, then don’t lie .

American companies are required by law to not discriminate against a job applicant based on their ethnicity, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability. Because of these laws, the American resume doesn’t include some of the information other international resumes might.

For example, you should not include a picture or headshot of yourself in an American resume. Adding a picture is one way a potential employer can discriminate against you as an applicant.

You also want to limit the amount of personal information you include in an American resume.

American resumes should not include:

Marital status

Whether or not you have children

Disability or health information

Sexual orientation

You might include some of these details perhaps, if you were to apply for a job at a children’s hospital, for a disability services office, or perhaps an LGBTQ+ advocacy center.

Just know that employers are not allowed to ask you specifically about your personal information related to these subjects and that disclosing them should probably be avoided unless it is relevant to the job position.

Other things to keep in mind when changing your resume to an American format include:

Limit your educational history. In an American resume, you don’t include anything before your college degree unless the furthest education you’ve had is a high school diploma or General Education Degree (GED).

Don’t include your references. Unless the application asks for it. Adding references takes up precious space when you have a one-page limit. Recruiters will ask you for reference information if they want it, so you also don’t need to include the phrase “ References available upon request .”

Other personal details. Don’t include your date of birth, social security number, or any other identification numbers.

Don’t include your full address. The company doesn’t need to mail you anything at this point in your relationship, so there’s no reason to tell them exactly where you live.

Remove country code from your phone number. Americans like to see 10-digit phone numbers with an area code, like this: (555) 444-3333.

With all that has already been said, consider the following tips to create your American style resume:

Use a professional font. Use fonts such as Times New Roman or Arial. Make sure it is easy to read. Use 12 point font for the body of your resume and 14-16 point font for headers.

Use 1 inch margins. Make sure there is a enough space around the edges of your resume. This makes your resume look less cluttered and easy to read.

Use 1.15 line spacing. Proper line spacing helps your individual bullet points stand out without sacrificing too much space on the resume.

Submit as a PDF or Word file. Sometimes an employer will specify, but when it doubt save your resume as a .pdf or .doc file. Make sure that your resume can be read by applicant tracking systems (ATS) that filter out resumes for readers.

Now that we have a good idea of how to write an American resume, let’s take a look at some examples:

Jack Pilgrim Washington , DC 14015 – (555) 444-3333 – [email protected] – www.linkedin.com/jpilgrim Resume Summary Graphic designer with 3+ years of experience creating and implementing promotional materials and social media graphics. Worked with sales and marketing teams to increase inbound calls by 23% YoY through compelling digital media. Adept at planning, managing, and prioritizing multiple deadlines at once, and thrives in fast-paced work environment. Work Experience Creative Designs | Washington, DC Lead Graphic Designer | June 2018-Present Worked with sales and marketing teams to create landing pages, sales proposals, and supporting media elements to drive sales by over $250,000 per quarter Trained, managed, and mentored team of 4 junior designers to fulfill 40+ project orders on a weekly basis Conducted UX research through surveys, usability testing, and data analysis to plan content marketing strategy, driving organic search traffic by 12% Presented proposals, results, and status updates to set of 4-7 clients, ensuring customer satisfaction at or above 95% for 3 years straight Happy Place | Alexandria, VA Junior Graphic Designer | July 2016-May 2018 Translated client needs and branding strategies into design and content strategy, increasing client retention by 22% Reduced project turnaround time by 8% by Utilizing web-based ticket system for completing and archiving finalized pieces Posted digital artwork to network IPTV using web interface to produce high-end infographics and other materials Happy Place | Alexandria, VA Marketing Intern | September 2015-July 2016 Assisted marketing team with data collection, analysis, and presentation using Google Analytics Drew up storyboards for new marketing campaigns alongside sales team, increasing brand awareness through social media Wrote 500-1000 word articles to pair with graphical elements on page, leading to a 40% boost in engagement on company website Education Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, Georgia May 2016 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design Skills Adobe Creative Suite Typography HTML/CSS WordPress Collaboration Organization

Functional Resume Example

Allison Neederly Chicago, Illinois , 60007 | (333) 222-1111 | [email protected] | www.linkedin.com/allison.neederly Resume Summary Dedicated customer service representative with 4+ years experience resolving customers’ needs in-person, online, and over the phone. Top achiever at XYZ Inc. with a 100% customer satisfaction rate for Q1 of 2020. Friendly personable, and knowledgable about company’s products and services. Relevant Skills Customer Service Responded to upwards of 200 customer queries daily with XYZ Inc., reducing the average wait time by 56% and increasing customer satsifaction rates by 13% Ability to resolve conflict and create a positive atmosphere for shopping for both new and existing customers through technical proficiency Expert product knowledge and communication skills, and experience training and mentoring new customer service staff Web Chat and Phone Skilled in 3 web chat platforms for helping online customers resolve their queries quickly and accurately Achieved fastest call resolution rate at XYZ Inc., with an average resolution time of under 5 minutes per customer Performed outbound calls for customer satisfaction surveys, as well as writing web-based surveys for 10,000+ customers Troubleshooting Detailed product knowledge allowed for customer technical issues to be resolved at rate within top 5% of all customer service associates at XYZ Inc. Created manual for step-by-step directions for troubleshooting that was implemented for team of 100+ customer service reps Positive attitude took average tech-related negative response from 1/5 stars to 4/5 stars, increasing trust in brands and services Work Experience XYZ Inc. | Philadelphia, PA Customer Service Associate New Look Global | Burlington, VT Junior Customer Service Representative L.L. Bean | Burlington, VT Sales Associate Education University of Vermont | Burlington, VT May 2012 Bachelor of Arts in Humanities

Combination Resume Example

Priya Laghari New York, NY | (222) 111-0000 | [email protected] | www.priyabizdev.com Resume Profile Strategy Development: Grew John Deere’s international sales by 13% by tapping into underserved countries in Southeast Asia Management: Oversaw a team of managers representing marketing, sales, and product teams. Streamlined collaborative, cross-functional communications through agile and scrum management system CRM: Developed, customized, and implemented new custmer relationship management database for accounts totalling over $10M in value Work Experience Business Development Manager 01/2015-Present Microsoft | Redmond, WA Developed product strategies and roadmap for Google AdWords, increasing inbound traffic by 26% YoY Reduced time training on new software by 50% for new and existing employees by implement e-learning programs Spearheaded digital marketing campaign worth $1M that saw a return of 200% in first year by qualifying leads earlier in the sales funnel Regional Sales Manager 11/2012-01/2015 Big Things Inc. | St. Louis, MO Managed territory encompassing 29 regional locations with an annual revenue of approx. $55M Worked with C-level executives to plan business strategies, resulting in 20% reduction in overhead costs Increased client retention by 12% in first year by implementing a CRM approach based on accouunt profiling and elevating levels of relationship selling Account Manager 02/2009-11/2012 Solutions Corp. | Chicago, IL Implemented and developed CRM strategic plans, increasing retention of long-term clients by 22% Maintained 50+ accounts totaling over $35M in value Generated leads through one-on-one consultation via phone inquiries, online check-ins, and meeting office walk-ins Relevant Skills CRM: Proficient with Salesforce, Zoho, and HubSpot; some experience with Keap. Used various CRM software over a decade to successfully manage customer relatinos and quick to adapt to new software and tools that aid in quality of customer experience. Salesmanship: Negotiated and closed over several deals worth $1M+ and skilled in upselling and cross-selling. Adept at working closely with marketing and product teams to maximize the efficiency of the sales funnel for both inbound and outbound traffic. Presentation: Represented Microsoft Northwest Region at quarterly board meetings, ensuring all stakeholders were kept abreast of new developments and opportunities. Also deliver monthly presentations to big clients and vendors to maintain positive relationship. Data analytics. Expert at integrating data from various analytics platforms, inclding Google, Microsoft Power BI, and SAP BusinessObjects Education Colgate University | May 2008 MBA Fordham University | May 2006 Bachelor’s Degree in Business

This article listed the main differences between an American resume and many international resumes. When writing an American resume, keep in mind what kind of information that you include in the resume.

Make sure that you keep your resume concise and to the point, while also giving employers a detailed look at you as a potential employee. Now that you’ve got all the information you need, it’s time for you to head back to writing your own American resume.

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Heidi Cope is a former writer for the Zippia Career Advice blog. Her writing focused primarily on Zippia's suite of rankings and general career advice. After leaving Zippia, Heidi joined The Mighty as a writer and editor, among other positions. She received her BS from UNC Charlotte in German Studies.

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Resumes and Curriculum Vitae (CV)

The purpose of your resume is to get an interview. In thirty seconds or less, most employers decide whether or not to consider applicants for employment, so your resume's content must be clear, concise, and compelling.

Tailor your resume to the specific position for which you are applying and present your most relevant skills, experience, and achievements. To stand a chance, make sure that your resume is free of misspellings and grammatical errors.

Resume Formats

Chronological.

The most common format, a chronological resume, lists your education and experience in reverse date order, with your most recent information first. It is best used when your employment history shows growth and development, you are seeking to stay in the same field, the name of your most recent employer is an asset, and prior job titles are particularly impressive.

A functional or transferable skills resume allows the candidate the opportunity to highlight skills and experience that are relevant to the employer, rather than chronologically listing their work history. This style is typically used by those who are changing careers or who have gaps in their employment history.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

A curriculum vitae (CV) is more extensive than a resume and is primarily used when applying for teaching or research opportunities. To differentiate between the two, consider your target careers.

In the world of academia and scientific research, a CV is the standard job search document. The CV differs from a traditional resume in that it lists publications, professional presentations, classes taught, and other relevant academic information. While resume length is limited to one or two pages, the CV can grow with your career. Undergraduate students just beginning their academic or research careers may choose to build upon their traditional resume by adding undergraduate research, significant academic papers, publications, or presentations. You can try this free online CV builder to get started.

The term curriculum vitae (CV) can also be used when applying for positions abroad. Research your target country and its employment terminology to determine CV expectations. If possible, speak to a recruiter to better understand the country's culture and employment expectations.

Unless an employer specifically requests your publication and/or presentation history, then the employer is likely looking for a traditional resume.

This format includes the same content as a resume, as well as information required for Federal applications, such as your social security number, country of citizenship, position details, high school credentials, salary history, and references. Your employment history, education, and related training and skills should be listed in reverse chronological order and your content should emphasize specific results. To create one uniform resume that includes all of the information required by government agencies, use the USAJOBS Resume Builder . Note: you must first log in to or create an account with USAJOBS to access the resume builder.

Infographic

An infographic resume is a visual timeline that details your work history and professional skills and illustrates who you are as a candidate. Infographic resumes often contain images, data/charts, text, and color that describe your experience and expertise in a visual way. Infographic resumes are appealing in certain industries and to many employers because they are a representation of your creative skills. Some of these industries include public relations, marketing and graphic design. It's important to note that most non-profits, government agencies, and positions on Capitol Hill will not accept this style of resume.

You can create an infographic resume entirely on your own or use online tools that assist you in building one. Several applications including Canva , Poster My Wall , and Kinzaa offer free tools that allow you to create dynamic infographic resumes.

While many employers find infographic resumes appealing, it is important that you create a traditional resume as well.

Sections & Headers

General guidelines exist so that employers can quickly and easily find key information on your resume; however, you may include personal touches through your layout and content so that your unique qualifications stand out.

Contact Information

Required details include your full name; current address; primary phone number, which is most likely your cell; and e-mail address. If you have a professional Web site that features work samples, you may include the URL. If you are abroad and use Skype, you may include your Skype number so that employers can easily communicate with you.

Objective, Profile, Summary Statement

This section is optional and is most effective when you know the specific industry or type of work that interests you, or when you are transitioning from one career to another. If you include it, clearly and concisely state your career goal or summarize your professional experience so that employers immediately know what you seek.

Begin with the most recent degree you are pursuing or have earned and list additional degrees in reverse chronological order.

Include your institution and its location by city and state; degree level; major, minor, or concentration; and the month and year of graduation, or anticipated completion. If you have studied abroad, include the institution and its location, academic term, and concentration.

Scholarships, academic awards and other honors can be included in this section or listed separately. Relevant courses, class projects, and independent studies can also be included and often help bolster credentials if you have less relevant work experience.

Emphasize relevant experience that you have gained through part- and full-time employment, paid and unpaid internships, volunteer positions, and leadership positions with student organizations. If your experience naturally breaks into two distinct categories - related and other - create separate headers and list your experiences accordingly.

For each entry, list the organization and its location by city and state, position title, and employment dates (month / year). Craft concise statements - not full sentences - and use strong verbs and specific details to describe your actions and results.

Demonstrate to employers how you applied select knowledge, skills, and abilities to achieve desired outcomes. If possible, quantify your results to convey the scope and significance of the project.

Most employers spend less than a minute when reviewing resumes so it is essential to make your skills as clear as possible to employers. Skills can be separated into sub-headings that include:

• Language Skills: If you are fluent or proficient, you should indicate so in parenthesis next to the name of the language listed (eg. Spanish (Fluent)).
• Computer Skills: Include any software and/or programs you've worked with and highlight your ability to run analytics with various social media platforms and/or content management systems.
• Special Skills: Include specialized skills you've honed professionally and/or academically such as policy analysis, training and facilitation, conflict mediation, or public speaking skills.
• Leadership and/or Community Activities: List your degree of involvement with college and community activities. Your activities can provide evidence that you have key skills that will benefit you on the job. Holding an office in a sorority, participating in student organizations, taking part in a theater production, or playing on a sports team all offer you the chance to show an employer that you have leadership, teamwork, communication, and other important skills.

Training, Certifications, Licenses

If you have successfully completed trainings or earned certifications or licenses that relate to your career goal, name the section accordingly and include key details.

Activities & Professional Associations

Through a description or a list of your accomplishments, extracurricular activities, or professional associations, employers begin to learn about your interests, motivations, and skills. For all leadership positions held, list the organization's full name, your position title, membership dates, and a brief description of your key accomplishments. For involvement as a member, list the organization's full name, membership dates, and activities in which you have participated that relate to your career objective.

Frequently Asked Questions

No two resumes are alike. In fact, everyone has something different to offer an employer. If you're wondering how to present your unique experience, don't panic. Review answers from your career advisors to these frequently asked questions.

How long should it be?

The length of your resume depends on how much relevant experience you have. Generally, undergraduate students, and occasionally grad students, have just enough information to fill one page. If you have a significant amount of experience that is of interest to an employer, then two pages are appropriate. Keep in mind that employers will only read your second page if your first page captures their attention.

Should I include information from high school?

It depends on your year in college and the amount of experience you have. If you are a freshman or sophomore, you may include your high school information, but as you progress through college and gain additional experience and skills, your high school achievements become less relevant to employers.

Should I include my GPA?

The importance of GPAs varies according to industry and occupation. If your GPA is 3.5 or higher, you should include it. If your GPA in your major is higher than your overall GPA, you may indicate both, listing your major's GPA first. If you choose to include your GPA, be sure that it is accurate because you may be asked to verify it later in the hiring process.

I've worked part-time and during the summer, but I'm not sure that my experience is relevant to the position I want. Should I include it anyway?

In most cases, yes. Through every experience, you develop "transferable skills" that you can use in future positions. Think about the skills required for the position that you seek and then describe how you demonstrated those skills in previous positions. Examples of transferable skills include written and verbal communication, research, planning, organization, problem solving, and customer service.

How proficient do my computer or language skills have to be in order to include them?

If you are confident that you can fulfill the duties of the position with your existing skills, include them on your resume. Do not inflate your abilities, but rather describe them as basic, intermediate, or advanced.

Should I include references on my resume or state that they're available upon request?

Generally, no, you do not need to include references on your resume. Employers expect you to have references and typically request a list once you advance to the interview stage.

Carefully choose references that think highly of you and are more than willing to recommend you for employment. Read more about references .

Should I use the same resume to apply for different positions?

No. The most effective resumes are tailored to specific employers or positions and highlight knowledge, skills and experiences that directly relate to the qualifications and duties of the position you seek. Do your research and include keywords that employers will recognize as they quickly scan your resume.

How do I create a resume from scratch?

The quickest and easiest way to create a resume is to use the Career Center's templates, found in the sidebar of this page, which you can tailor for your degree program or career objective.

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) Sample *
• First and Second Year Undergraduate Template *
• Upperclassmen Template *
• Graduate Student Template *
• Mid-Career Professional Template *
• Chronological Samples
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• Federal Format

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*Note: to use these templates, either download the file and edit in Word, or select "Open in Google Docs" and then File>Make a copy to save your own copy. You do not need to request access to edit the original document

Resume vs. Résumé: A Brief Account Of Their Differences

We all have those words that we’ve heard over and over but don’t have the chance to write out all that often. Which can lead to a little bit of confusion when you actually need said word—like handing in your job application with “ resume ” in big letters on top instead of résumé. Or worse, talking about your résumé and pronouncing it resume the entire time: “As you can see on my re-zoom …”

While mixing up resume and résumé will surely lead to some funny looks, there’s a reason the two words get confused: a shared origin and differences between formal and informal writing.

If you’re looking to bolster your résumé, review some of the key action verbs we recommend when writing your résumé.

What does resume mean?

Resume is a verb that means to continue or “to take up or go on with again after interruption.” You can resume watching your favorite TV show after dinner, for example, or you could say that the football game resumed after the storm passed.

The noun form of resume is resumption , which is “the act or fact of taking up or going on with again.” The resumption of activities in nicer weather, for instance.

Resume was first recorded in 1375–1425. It comes from the Latin resūmere. The Latin word can be broken down into re- , a prefix meaning “again, back,” and sūmere, which means “to take.”

The definition is pretty straightforward, but it can get a little more complicated very fast. Resume is also a spelling variant of résumé when the accent marks are dropped (more on that later). You can thank how the English language adopts some French words for that curveball.

What is a résumé ?

A résumé (with the accent marks) is “a brief written account of personal, educational, and professional qualifications and experience, as that prepared by an applicant for a job.” It’s pronounced [  rez – oo -mey ] as opposed to how resume is pronounced [ ri- zoom ].

One could submit their résumé when applying for a graduate school program, for example, or do some extra volunteer work to add to their résumé. Our article on how to write a résumé has the tips and tricks you need, just be sure to use our Grammar Coach™ to make sure you don’t mix up resume and résumé before sending it in.

The word résumé was first recorded in 1795–1805 and originally meant a summary . The English résumé comes directly from the past participle of the French verb resumer, which means to “ sum up .” In French, résumé literally translates to something that has been summed up. The English meaning isn’t all that different when you consider a résumé is just a summary of a person’s education and work experience.

Why is résumé spelled that way?

Sometimes when the English language adopts a word from another language, the accent marks stick. Consider the word café , or déjà vu . The accent marks tell French speakers how to pronounce a vowel. That mark over the E in résumé is called an acute accent and signals that it should be pronounced like “ey.” Accent marks also distinguish two different words that are otherwise homographs.

Do you have the savoir-faire to know when to use a French loanword? Learn about savoir-faire and other French words that made their way into English.

That latter reason is one example of why the accent marks remain in English. A reader would have to rely entirely on context if résumé lacked the accent marks, and relying on context can easily lead to a misreading of the situation.

That said, sometimes the markings are left out in common usage, especially for words that were borrowed from French long ago—they had time to settle in, drop the marks, and assimilate. That’s why, in informal writing, résumé may be spelled resume. Think of it like how some places describe themselves as a café while others use cafe.

As with anything else in communication, it’s important to know your audience. Résumés are typically used when applying for a job or school. Both of those tend toward more formal, so using résumé with the acute accents is a safe bet.

What is a résumé vs. curriculum vitae ?

You may also be asked for a curriculum vitae (or CV for short) instead of a résumé. Using curriculum vitae is more common in British English and in other varieties of English across the world, but it’s not entirely uncommon in American English.

Like a résumé, a curriculum vitae is a summary of work experience and other background information that might be relevant to someone reading a job or school application. A CV is more likely to be asked for in academia than at your average, run-of-the-mill job in the United States. It also typically refers to a much more detailed summary—describing published papers and awards under a job or education heading rather than only listing a title and short description of duties, for instance. The fact that a CV is so comprehensive makes sense, as curriculum vitae  means “course of life” in Latin.

Now, if you landed here while working on your résumé or curriculum vitae to double check that you were using the right accent marks, you can resume with confidence now.

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Iraq militant group says it is resuming attacks on US forces as base in Syria is targeted

First attack on US forces since early February comes day after Iraq’s prime minister returns from US visit

An Iraqi militant group has said it will resume attacks on US forces in the country, as it appeared to claim responsibility for a strike on an American military base in north-eastern Syria which saw at least five rockets launched from the Iraqi town of Zummar.

Sunday’s strike against US forces is the first since early February, when Iranian-backed groups in Iraq stopped their attacks against US troops.

It comes one day after Iraq’s prime minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, returned from a visit to the United States and met with Joe Biden at the White House.

Iraq’s Kataib Hezbollah said Iraqi armed groups had decided to resume attacks on the US presence in the country after seeing little progress on talks to achieve the exit of American troops during al-Sudani’s visit to Washington.

“What happened a short while ago is the beginning,” the group said.

Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor, said several rockets had been fired “from Iraqi territory at the Kharab al-Jir base” in north-east Syria, where US forces are stationed.

A statement from the Iraqi security forces accused “outlaw elements of having targeted a base of the international coalition with rockets in the heart of Syrian territory”, at about 9.50pm local time.

Iraqi forces responded to the attack by launching a major search operation in northern Nineveh province which found the vehicle used in the attack, they said in a statement.

The security forces burned the vehicle involved, the statement added.

After a series of rocket attacks and drone strikes by pro-Iran armed factions against US soldiers deployed in the Middle East in the early part of the year, there had been several weeks of calm.

In January, a drone attack killed three US soldiers in the Jordanian desert on the Syrian border. In response, the US military struck dozens of targets in Syria and Iraq , aiming for pro-Iran forces, and drawing criticism from the governments of both countries.

The United States has about 2,500 soldiers stationed in Iraq and nearly 900 across the border in Syria as part of an international coalition created in 2014 to fight the Islamic State group.

Reuters and Agence France-Presse contributed to this report

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In Ukraine, the vote to renew U.S. aid was cheered. But unease for the future remains

Joanna Kakissis

Polina Lytvynova

Hanna Palamarenko

Ukrainian soldiers carry shells to fire at Russian positions on the front line, near the city of Bakhmut, in Ukraine's Donetsk region, on March 25. The outgunned and outnumbered Ukrainian troops have been struggling to halt Russian advances. Efrem Lukatsky/AP hide caption

Ukrainian soldiers carry shells to fire at Russian positions on the front line, near the city of Bakhmut, in Ukraine's Donetsk region, on March 25. The outgunned and outnumbered Ukrainian troops have been struggling to halt Russian advances.

KYIV, Ukraine — Lawmaker Oleksandra Ustinova, who leads the Ukrainian parliament's committee on arms, spent months urging holdouts in the U.S. Congress to stop blocking nearly $61 billion in military and economic aid to her country.

She repeatedly warned them that Russian troops are advancing because Ukrainian soldiers are running low on ammunition and weapons.

Ustinova despaired that no one was listening. Then, on Saturday, the House of Representatives finally approved the aid package . The bill provides nearly $61 billion in assistance , including nearly $14 billion to help Ukraine buy advanced weapons systems and defense equipment and $13.7 billion for purchasing U.S. defense systems for Ukraine.

"I was literally crying," she says. "You cannot imagine how important it is for us. We had nothing to shoot with. Now there is a green light at the end of the corridor."

Here's what's in the House foreign aid bills

The vote came after Russian airstrikes hit several Ukrainian cities, killing dozens. The aid package is expected to clear the Senate. President Biden has said that the White House will move quickly to send weapons and equipment to Ukraine to "meet urgent battlefield needs ." Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has said that Russia is firing 10 times more artillery shells than Ukraine can and had warned that Ukraine could lose the war if the House did not approve the aid package.

Ukrainians are cheering the House vote, which will provide fresh supplies of artillery rounds and air defense missiles and also support the Ukrainian economy, which is badly suffering after more than two years of Russia's full-scale attacks on the country. But Ukraine's relief that it can fight to live another day is also mixed with uneasiness over future U.S. assistance.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., talks to reporters just after the House voted to approve $95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies, at the Capitol on Saturday. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., talks to reporters just after the House voted to approve $95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies, at the Capitol on Saturday.

In a video address on Saturday, Zelenskyy thanked House Speaker Mike Johnson and appealed to the U.S. to keep supporting Ukraine in the future.

"America showed its leadership from the first days of the war," he said. "It is this kind of American leadership that is vital to the preservation of a rules-based international order."

Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian leaders often warn that Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine threatens Europe and the West, and that Ukrainian soldiers cannot hold back the Russians alone.

Valentyn Romaniuk, a 22-year-old soldier in Ukraine's Third Assault Brigade, saw this firsthand on the eastern frontline, where his unit was outgunned.

He lost his leg while fighting and is now learning to walk using a prosthesis.

"Delays in aid from our partners don't just cost lives, they cost limbs," says Romaniuk, as he rests on a park bench in Kyiv. "With all the dead and injured, that leaves far fewer troops defending Ukraine."

Ukraine's military cited delays in military funding as a reason troops had to ration ammunition. While Ukraine waited, its troops were forced to withdraw from Avdiivka, a strategic town in the east that Ukrainian forces had defended from Russian occupation for a decade. Emboldened, the Russian forces stepped up offensives along several points in eastern Ukraine.

Another soldier, Anton Tarasov, says a fresh infusion of military aid "is going to be a great spiritual push, a great emotional push. Because Russians, they were so encouraged all this time. And all their propaganda was saying [to Ukrainians], 'America has abandoned you, it's time to give up, otherwise we're going to kill you all.'"

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies that while the aid package will make America richer, it will further ruin Ukraine and lead to even more Ukrainian deaths. Peskov also condemned provisions in the bill that could allow the U.S. to use frozen Russian assets to assist Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian civilians say they have been besieged by Russian attacks as they waited for the House vote.

Ukraine invasion — explained

Ukraine's prime minister says, if passed, $60b u.s. aid package will be critical.

"So many people are dying," says Khrystyna Naridzhenyan, 25, as she rings up a customer at her family's grocery store in Kyiv. "If there's any opportunity to stop this, we await it."

Her family's grocery store was badly damaged by shrapnel from recent Russian missile attacks. Above the store is a yellow banner with the inscription: "We Are Working."

She says the grocery might have been spared if Ukraine had stronger air defenses.

Ukraine doesn't have enough air defense systems to intercept all Russian missiles and drones. And those that get through are deadly.

The strikes have also caused enormous damage to infrastructure. The World Bank and the European Commission estimate that it will cost nearly $500 billion to repair and rebuild Ukraine. The bill keeps rising because the attacks keep happening.

Valentyna Maksymenko, 64, also works at the grocery store. She says Ukrainians will keep fighting, even if American support fades away.

"But it will be very difficult for us," she says. "Many of us will be destroyed."

At a park in Kyiv, Serhii Bykon, a 44-year-old IT specialist, is watching his young son run around a playground that was rebuilt after a Russian attack.

He says the U.S. aid package should give Ukraine a fighting chance — for now. But he isn't banking on U.S. assistance in the future, especially if the administration changes.

"There is so much uncertainty," he says. "That's why we cannot feel safe."

NPR's Philip Reeves contributed reporting

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Trump criminal trial wraps for the day after opening statements and first witness

From CNN's Jeremy Herb, Lauren del Valle and Kara Scannell in the courthouse

Key takeaways from opening statements and the first witness in Trump's hush money trial

From CNN's Jeremy Herb, Lauren del Valle and Kara Scannell

Prosecutors and Trump’s attorneys delivered opening statements and the first witness — a former National Enquirer publisher — was called Monday in the historic and unprecedented criminal trial of a former president.

Each side got their first chance to lay out a theory of the case for jurors. Prosecutors told jurors that the reimbursement of hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels was part of a larger conspiracy to influence the 2016 presidential election.

The former president’s attorneys responded by telling the jury that Trump was innocent and not involved in the creation of the 34 business records he’s charged with falsifying. They also pointedly added that there’s “nothing wrong with trying to influence an election.”

Here are key takeaways from Monday:

• Prosecutors say Trump schemed "to corrupt the 2016 presidential election": The district attorney’s office framed the case for jurors as illegal payments to try to influence illicitly influence the 2016 election that Trump then tried to illegally cover up by falsifying business records. Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo walked the jury through Trump’s efforts, along with Michael Cohen and former American Media Inc., chief David Pecker, to keep damaging information from coming to light during the 2016 election.
• Defense says Donald Trump is innocent: Defense attorney Todd Blanche began his opening statement with a simple assertion: “Donald Trump is innocent.” Blanche told the jury that the story isn’t as simple as prosecutors laid out and argued that Trump was not involved with any of the business records he’s accused of falsifying beyond signing the checks. Blanche didn’t dispute the paper trail existed, but he argued to the jury there was nothing illegal about signing non-disclosure agreements — or trying to influence an election.
• Tabloid publisher testifies first: Prosecutors called former AMI CEO David Pecker as the first witness in their case against Trump. He testified for less than 30 minutes Monday morning before the trial adjourned for the day. He’s expected to continue testifying Tuesday. Colangelo teed up the former tabloid publisher as a key player in Trump’s “catch and kill” scheme to control the public narrative about him ahead of the 2016 election.
• Gag order hearing will lead off court on Tuesday: Before the trial resumes Tuesday, Judge Juan Merchan is holding a hearing on allegations that Trump violated the judge’s gag order barring discussion of witnesses. The district attorney’s office asked the judge to fine Trump $1,000 for each of several gag order violations leading up to and since the trial started. In addition to the fines, prosecutors want the judge to remind Trump he could be imprisoned if he continues to disobey the order.
• Trump was thinking about the $175 million bond hearing down the street: Meanwhile, other lawyers for Trump were in a courtroom a block away arguing over the legitimacy of the $175 million bond Trump posted to appeal the judgment in his civil fraud trial. Trump, who could not attend the civil hearing because he’s required to attend each day of the criminal trial, railed against Attorney General Letitia James.

Fact check: Trump falsely claims Michael Cohen’s crimes "had nothing to do with me"

From CNN’s Daniel Dale

Speaking to reporters Monday after opening statements in his criminal trial in Manhattan, former President Donald Trump declared that the crimes committed by his former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen “had nothing to do with me.” 

Cohen is expected to be a key  witness for the prosecution . Trump said: “The things he got in trouble for were things that had nothing to do with me. He got in trouble; he went to jail. This has nothing to do with me. This had to do with the taxicab company that he owned, which is just something he owned – and medallions and borrowing money and a lot of things – but it had nothing to do with me.” 

Facts First:  Trump’s claim that Cohen’s prison sentence “had nothing to do with me” is false. Cohen’s three-year sentence in 2018 was for  multiple crimes , some of which were directly related to Trump. Most notably, Cohen was sentenced for  campaign finance offenses   connected to a hush money scheme  during the 2016 presidential campaign to conceal Trump’s alleged extramarital relationships -- the same hush money scheme that is central to this prosecution against Trump. Cohen was  also sentenced to two months in prison , to run concurrently with the three-year sentence, for  lying to Congress in 2017 in relation to previous talks about the possibility of building a Trump Tower in Moscow, Russia , including about the  extent of Trump’s involvement in the aborted Moscow initiative  and about when in 2016 the discussions ended. (The discussions continued into June 2016, the month after Trump  became the presumptive Republican nominee , and did not conclude in January 2016 before the first votes were cast, as Cohen had claimed.)

Referring to Trump as “Individual-1,” Cohen  said  at the time of his 2018 guilty plea for making false statements to the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence: “I made these statements to be consistent with Individual-1’s political messaging and out of loyalty to Individual-1.” When Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to the campaign finance violations, he  said  he broke the law “in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office,” Trump. 

David Pecker is an important witness in prosecutor's quest to prove criminal intent, legal analyst says

From CNN's Elise Hammond

David Pecker will be back on the stand on Tuesday to continue testimony in the hush money trial against former President Donald Trump. Not only is he the first witness to answer questions from the prosecution, but he is also a critical piece of how the state is trying to prove criminal intent, one former federal prosecutor said.

Criminal intent means that “not just an act happened, but an act happened for a purpose,” said Elliot Williams, a CNN legal analyst. “The defendant did something wrong to carry out some criminal purpose.”

As the then-chairman of American Media Inc., which publishes the National Enquirer, Pecker was involved in numerous “catch-and-kill” schemes he orchestrated on behalf of Trump, and he allegedly helped broker the deal with adult film star Stormy Daniels which is at the center of  the case.

“It’s not just the catch-and-kill payments, but catch-and-kill payments for the purpose of concealing information from voters in the context of an election,” Williams explained, referring to the 2016 presidential election. 

Williams said it’s likely that prosecutors will focus much of their questioning trying to uncover what was discussed in meetings between Pecker and Trump.

The question at the heart of the argument, Williams said, is if the payments were intended to conceal information from voters, “or was it just Donald Trump saying, ‘Well, you know, this is embarrassing to my wife and my kids, I really want to keep this hidden.’”

Read about the stages of Trump's criminal trial — and what they mean 

From CNN's Lauren del Valle, Jhasua Razo and Gillian Roberts

Former President Donald Trump’s first criminal trial is expected to take six to eight weeks from start to finish.

This trial, related to a  hush money payment  to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016, is the first of  four ongoing criminal cases  that are expected to head to trial for the presumptive 2024 GOP presidential nominee.

Now that opening statements are done, prosecutors are presenting trial evidence through witness testimony and exhibits. David Pecker, the ex-publisher of the National Enquirer, will resume testimony Tuesday.

Defense attorneys can cross examine the prosecution’s witnesses and typically aim to discredit their testimony. Witnesses’ responses are considered evidence, but not the questions posed by an attorney.

Read more about the stages of the trial, and what they mean here.

Michael Cohen jabs back at Trump's claim that Cohen's crimes have nothing to do with him

From CNN's Laura Dolan

Michael Cohen, who is expected to be a key witness in Donald Trump’s criminal trial, jabbed back at his former boss in response to comments Trump made about him outside the courtroom Monday.

Speaking to reporters in the courtroom hallway after court concluded, Trump said Cohen’s crimes have “nothing to do with me."

“He got in trouble, he went to jail. This has nothing to do with me,” said Trump. “This had to do with the taxicab company that he owned, which is just something he owned — and medallions and borrowing money.”

Shortly after those comments. Cohen posted on social media, “Hey Von ShitzInPantz … your attacks of me stink of desperation. We are all hoping that you take the stand in your defense. 

Cohen, who is Trump’s former attorney, served time in federal prison after pleading guilty to breaking federal campaign laws when he facilitated the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels, which is directly linked to the charges against Trump.  As for the taxi medallions that Trump referenced, Cohen was also sentenced for tax evasion related to a taxi medallion enterprise and lying to a bank in relation to a home loan. 

Trump is under a gag order and was ordered by Judge Juan Merchan not to comment about any witnesses in the trial.

CNN's Daniel Dale contributed to this post.

See courtroom sketches from today's Trump trial

No cameras are allowed inside the Manhattan courtroom where Donald Trump's hush money trial is underway, but a sketch artist captured the scene as opening statements unfolded and the first witness took the stand.

Biden builds early advertising edge as Trump spends millions on legal fees

From CNN's David Wright

President Joe Biden and his allies have nearly tripled Donald Trump’s network in ad spending over the last month and a half while the former president has had to devote millions of campaign funds to legal expenses — and sit in a New York courthouse for his hush money trial.

Since March 6, after Super Tuesday when Trump effectively secured the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, through April 21, Biden’s campaign and other Democratic advertisers spent $27.2 million on advertising for the presidential race, while the Trump campaign and GOP advertisers spent about $9.3 million, according to AdImpact data.

Ad spending data (presidential race, March 6 to April 21)

• Democrats: $27,153,293
• Republicans: $9,344,948

During that time, Biden's campaign has spent millions in key battleground states, including $4.1 million in Michigan, $3.9 million in Pennsylvania, and at least $2 million in Arizona, Wisconsin, and Georgia. And the Biden network has used its plentiful airtime to promote the administration’s first-term record and slam Trump, focusing on key issues such as the  cost of living  and  abortion rights .

Meanwhile, Trump’s network has failed to match that effort since he became the presumptive nominee, though a pro-Trump super PAC, MAGA Inc., recently ramped up its advertising, booking over $1 million worth of airtime in Pennsylvania to coincide with Biden’s recent campaign swing through the state last week.

Trump has also benefited over that stretch from a nearly $3 million anti-Biden campaign from outside groups aligned with the oil and gas industries, which have been  running ads  in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, criticizing California fuel standards  defended  by the Biden administration. But despite some recent signs of activity, Trump’s network has been significantly outspent on the airwaves since his general election matchup with Biden came into focus. And  the latest round of FEC filings  shows how Biden’s fundraising edge is enabling that advertising advantage, as Trump’s ongoing legal battles drain millions from his campaign coffers.  

How we got here: A timeline of the Donald Trump and Stormy Daniels hush money case

From CNN’s Lauren del Valle, Kara Scannell, Annette Choi and Gillian Roberts 

The first criminal trial of a US ex-president is underway in New York, where former President Donald Trump faces charges from the Manhattan District attorney related to a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016. 

This is the first of four criminal cases expected to go to trial for Trump, also the presumptive 2024 GOP presidential nominee. CNN compiled a timeline of the key events leading up to the historic trial. 

Here’s how we got here: 

• September 2016: Donald Trump discusses a $150,000 hush money payment understood to be for former Playboy model Karen McDougal with Michael Cohen who secretly records the conversation . McDougal has alleged she had an extramarital affair with Trump beginning in 2006, which he has denied. 
• October 7, 2016: The Washington Post releases an "Access Hollywood" video from 2005 in which Trump uses vulgar language to describe his sexual approach to women with then show host Billy Bush. 
• October 27, 2016: According to prosecutors, Cohen pays Daniels $130,000 to her attorney through a shell company in exchange for her silence about an affair she allegedly had with Trump in 2006. This $130,000 sum is separate from the $150,000 paid to McDougal. Trump has publicly denied having any affairs and has denied making the payments. 
• November 8, 2016: Trump secures the election to become the 45th president of the United States. 
• February 2017: Prosecutors say Cohen meets with Trump in the Oval Office to confirm how he would be reimbursed for the hush money payment Cohen fronted to Daniels. Under the plan, Cohen would send a series of false invoices requesting payment for legal services he performed pursuant to a retainer agreement and receive monthly checks for $35,000 for a total of $420,000 to cover the payment, his taxes and a bonus, prosecutors alleged. Prosecutors also allege there was never a retainer agreement. 
• January 2018: The Wall Street Journal breaks news about the hush money payment Cohen made to Daniels in 2016. 

See the full timeline.  

Trump is also facing charges in 3 other criminal cases

From CNN’s Devan Cole, Amy O'Kruk and Curt Merrill 

The hush money criminal trial against former President Donald Trump is just one of  four criminal cases  he faces while juggling his presidential campaign.

The former president is facing at least  88 charges  over the four criminal indictments in Georgia, New York, Washington, DC, and Florida. Trump has pleaded not guilty to every charge in these cases. 

Here's a recap of each case: 

• Hush money:  Trump was first indicted in March 2023 by the Manhattan district attorney on state charges related to a hush-money payment to an adult film star in 2016. Prosecutors allege Trump was part of an illegal conspiracy to  undermine  the integrity of the 2016 election. Further, they allege he was part of an unlawful plan to suppress negative information, including the $130,000 payment. 
• Classified documents:  Trump was indicted in June 2023 by a federal grand jury in Miami for taking classified national defense documents from the White House after he left office and resisting the government’s attempts to retrieve the materials. The National Archives said in early 2022 that at least 15 boxes of White House records were recovered from the estate, including   some that were classified . The charges were brought by special counsel Jack Smith. 
• Federal election interference:  Smith separately charged the former president last August with four crimes over his efforts to reverse the 2020 election results. The indictment alleges Trump and a co-conspirator "attempted to exploit the violence and chaos at the Capitol by calling lawmakers to convince them ... to delay the certification" of the election. That case is currently on hold as the Supreme Court weighs Trump’s claims of presidential immunity in the matter. 
• Fulton County:  State prosecutors in Georgia brought a similar election subversion case against Trump and others. An Atlanta-based grand jury on August 14, 2023, indicted Trump and 18 others on state charges stemming from their alleged efforts to overturn the former president’s 2020 electoral defeat. A trial date has not yet been set in that case. 

Read more about  the four criminal cases  Trump faces.  

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What happened Thursday and Friday at the 2024 Masters

Day two at the Masters

It was a windy, gusty Friday at Augusta National for the second round of the Masters.

It's a three-way tie atop the leaderboard heading into the weekend with Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau and Max Homa all at 6-under-par.

DeChambeau, who was the 18-hole leader, shot a second-round 73. He is searching for his second major championship this weekend.

Scheffler shot even par in his second round. The 2022 Masters champion is also searching for his second major after victories at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Players Championship.

Then there's Homa, who continued his brilliant play after his first round Thursday was suspended due to darkness. After playing 23 holes Friday, Homa shot a second-round 71, putting himself in contention to win his first major.

Tiger Woods shot a second-round 72 and made a record 24th cut at the Masters. Woods also played 23 holes on Friday after completing his first round in the morning.

Follow live coverage of the third round here.

⛳ Follow The Athletic 's golf coverage

Leaderboard:

T1: Scheffler -6 (72)

T1: Homa -6 (71)

T1: DeChambeau -6 (73)

4: Højgaard -4 (73)

T5: Davis -3 (72)

T5: Morikawa -3 (70)

T24. Woods +1 (72)

Third-round tee times

Third-round tee times for the Masters are out.

Tiger Woods is teeing off at 12:45 p.m. ET with Tyrrell Hatton.

Below are the final Saturday groupings:

2:05 p.m. ET: Cameron Young/Tommy Fleetwood

2:15 p.m. ET: Ludvig Åberg/Matthieu Pavon

2:25 p.m. ET: Cameron Davis/Collin Morikawa

2:35 p.m. ET: Scottie Scheffler/Nicolai Højgaard

2:45 p.m. ET: Max Homa/Bryson DeChambeau

Read the full Saturday tee times here .

Finally, here's the link for our live coverage of the third round .

See you there.

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How Neal Shipley claimed Masters low amateur honors: ‘A little bit of grit’

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Neal Shipley wasn’t raised in a golf family. But he did grow up with a family that loved golf.

The Sunday afternoon of the 2004 PGA Championship was all it took for the Ohio State graduate student — the only amateur to make the cut at this week’s Masters — to fish his dad’s neglected golf clubs out of a closet and give this humbling game a lifelong shot.

“Me and my dad were on our couch,” Shipley said on Friday after finishing 36 holes at Augusta National in 3-over and making the cut by three shots. “And Vijay Singh won. The next day I took my dad’s golf clubs, which were dusty and probably never used, and started swinging around. I decided to get my own little set, and it took off from there.”

Shipley wasn’t just hooked, he was adamant. As an elementary schooler, he told anyone in his hometown of Mt. Lebanon, Penn. that he intended to become a professional golfer. In the second grade, he took his bag to school for “show and tell.” Shipley’s class ventured outdoors at recess to watch him launch drivers into the schoolyard. He was a regular at his local junior league. Shipley’s family eventually decided to join St. Clair Country Club, so he could properly hone his craft.

“We joined a country club so that he’d have a place to play,” says his father, also named Neal Shipley, “But we’re not country club people.”

Twenty years later, Shipley will play the weekend at the 88th Masters at a firm and fast Augusta National after being invited as the 2023 U.S. Amateur runner-up. He’s tied for 30th, hanging right in there with legends of the game, including 61-year-old Singh, who sits at 4-over, one stroke behind the 23-year-old on the leaderboard through 36 holes.

Round of the day: Ludvig Åberg

(Photo: David Cannon / Getty Images)

Ludvig Åberg shot the round of the day Friday with a second-round 69.

The last player to have the round of the day at the Masters — no ties — in his Masters Tournament debut was Smylie Kaufman in 2016 (69 in round three).

History of world No. 1 holding 36-hole lead at Masters

Since the OWGR began in 1986, this will be the fourth time the reigning No. 1 has held the 36-hole lead at the Masters.

1996 Greg Norman — led by four (finished 2nd)

2020 Dustin Johnson — co-led (won)

2022 Scottie Scheffler — led by five (won)

2024 Scottie Scheffler — co-leader

A challenging scoring day at Augusta

Today (75.08) was the highest field scoring average in round two of The Masters since 2007, and just the fourth time in the last 30 years the field averaged higher than 75 in the second round.

Who missed the cut?

The wind was punishing Friday, seemingly eliminating stars in a matter of seconds with one blowup hole being enough to derail a round. Double bogey became a common score to see, like reigning Open Champion Brian Harman (+9) finishing his first round Friday morning by going triple-bogey, double-bogey, double-bogey.

Maybe the most painful missed cut was Justin Thomas. The two-time major winner was even par with four holes to go, but he double-bogeyed 15 and 16, bogeyed 17 and double-bogeyed 18 to miss the cut by losing seven shots in four holes.

Viktor Hovland was one of the best players in the world six months ago, but his fascinating, strange struggles continue as Hovland went from 4-under early Thursday to shooting an 81 in round two to drop to 8-over and miss out on the weekend.

Others to miss the cut include three-time major winner Jordan Spieth (+9), Wyndham Clark (+7), Sam Burns (+9) and Dustin Johnson (+13).

Masters Round 2 takeaways: Scheffler, DeChambeau, Homa share 36-hole lead

LIV has 8 make the cut

DeChambeau is certainly doing most of the heavy lifting for the LIV field as he sits at 6-under for the co-lead, but LIV brought 13 golfers to the Masters and eight made the cut. It might not be looking like the same success as three golfers finishing top four last year, yet multiple players are still in the mix.

DataGolf gives DeChambeau a 23 percent chance of winning the Masters, while Cam Smith sits at 1-under par at the halfway point. Smith is one of the better players at Augusta, with four top-10s here in the last five years. Patrick Reed, another Masters expert who won the green jacket in 2018, is T16 at even par.

Other LIV golfers to make the cut include Brooks Koepka (+2), Tyrell Hatton (+2), Joaquin Niemann (+4), Phil Mickelson (+4) and Jon Rahm (+5). Rahm, the defending Masters champ, shot 76 in round two to take himself out of contention but still made the cut. Meanwhile, 2020 Masters champ Dustin Johnson missed out at 13-over.

DeChambeau in lead with new custom-made irons

One of the stories of the tournament has been not just DeChambeau’s impressive play — where he co-leads at 6-under par — but also his fascinating switch to a new set of custom-made, 3D-printed irons that were only approved by the USGA this week.

The approval was down to the wire, with DeChambeau receiving feedback last week they’d be non-conforming due to too sharp of groove edges. He didn’t receive full approval of the set made by a company called Avoda until early Tuesday morning. Despite the Masters being 48 hours away, he switched to them immediately and felt comfortable by the end of Wednesday. Thursday, he shot a first-round 65 for the solo lead.

“They have just got a different curvature on the face than other equipment,” Dechambeau explained. “Most equipment is flat. These have a different curvature on the face that allows me to have my mis-hits to go a little straighter sometimes.”

DeChambeau has had the idea for these irons since 2020, and when asked if he couldn’t find a manufacturer to make them he only said: “I’m not going to speak much more on that but I’ve had this idea for a long, long time.”

The set is one of a kind, with DeChambeu confirming there is no backup set. He said they’re holding up well, but if anything did happen to them he would switch back to his Ping i330s that he’s been using since July. It’s worth noting that since July, DeChambeau has had two LIV wins and four straight top-10s.

Scheffler shoots second-round 72

(Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

After a tricky day at Augusta National, Scottie Scheffler is atop the leaderboard at the Masters.

He shot a second-round 72 with three birdies and three bogeys.

Scheffler is in a three-way tie atop the leaderboard with Bryson DeChambeau and Max Homa.

JT misses the cut

Justin Thomas will once again miss the cut at the Masters due to an abysmal back nine. The two-time major champion finished double-double-bogey-double to shoot a back nine 42, carding a 7-over 79 for his second round. Thomas suffered a very similar fate last year at Augusta National, when he came in with four bogeys and a double to miss the weekend, playing in a torrential downpour.

While many big names struggled on Friday afternoon on a firm, fast and brutally windy Augusta, Thomas's implosion feels particularly notable, especially in the wake of his recent split with his longtime caddie Jim "Bones" Mackay.

Thomas missed the cut in three of the four majors last season and hoped 2024 would serve as a sort of blank slate. So far, his PGA Tour results have shown signs of hope (he has four top-12s this season) but is Thomas still in the midst of his major championship slump?

Tiger compared to the field average

(Photo: Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)

Tiger Woods beat the field average in each of the first two rounds. Today was the 80th time in his Masters career he's shot a score better than the field that day.

Highest percentage of rounds beating field in Masters history (min. 30 rounds):

Lloyd Mangrum, 81.7 percent

Tiger Woods, 81.6 percent

Ben Hogan, 79.6 percent

Hovland falls to 8-over-par

Viktor Hovland is now 8-over but he's still having a very good week because all golf clothing discourse is now solely about Jason Day/Malbon.

Max Homa is finally having his Masters breakthrough

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Max Homa walked up to the beginning of the most famous three holes in golf, alone, unconcerned with the legend behind him. Unconcerned with the surroundings or the stage.

Back on the 10th green, Tiger Woods and Jason Day took their time reading putts and finishing the hole. But Homa had his par. He had his co-lead at the Masters. So for a full two minutes, Homa walked ahead, up the hill to the start of Amen Corner.

This time was going to be different. This time, he was going to worry about himself.

He thought back to his journal scribblings from Thursday night, a habit he’s been focusing on the past year. He writes what he’s grateful for and mental goals for the day. And on Thursday night he wrote a simple mantra.

However good I am is however good I am.

Read more about Homa's second-round performance here .

Rahm back-to-back birdies

Jon Rahm, the reigning Masters champion, had a double bogey on the 14th hole.

That brought him to 6-over, below the cut line.

How did Rahm respond?

With back-to-back birdies on 15 and 16. His birdie on 16 was well below the hole on the green.

Rahm is 4-over-par and currently inside the cut line. Can he hang on to make the weekend?

Zach Johnson responds to apparent profanity toward patrons: 'That's laughable'

Zach Johnson responded to his apparent profanity toward patrons on the par-3 12th.

"That I swore at the patrons? That's laughable," Johnson said. "That's completely laughable. I can't hear the patrons, number one. Number two, I just made a triple bogey on the 12th hole that evidently is going to make me miss the cut, which at the time I knew was pretty sensitive in the sense that I needed to keep making pars.

"If I've said anything, which I'm not going to deny, especially if it's on camera, one, I apologize, and two, it was fully directed towards myself entirely because I can't hear anything behind me. Does that make sense?"

Scheffler bogeys 13 after finding water

Scottie Scheffler entered the 13th hole with a one-shot lead at the Masters. He left it in a three-way tie with Max Homa and Bryson DeChambeau after putting an aggressive second shot into Rae's Creek. His nice chip from the drop gave him a chance to save par, but he just barely missed the putt to ultimately bogey the hole. Some might call it slight karma after Scheffler caught a lucky break on 13 yesterday.

He hit a similar approach that fell short in round one but that time it miraculously stayed up on the hill above the creek. He was able to chip up and still birdie the hole. Now, he enters the final five holes at even par for the round.

Tyrrell Hatton criticizes pace of play

(Photo: Warren Little/Getty Images)

Englishman Tyrell Hatton criticized the pace of play in the group in front of him at the Masters on Friday, a group that included LIV teammate Patrick Reed in addition to Sungjae Im and Kurt Kitayama.

"Yeah, the lads in front have been so slow," Hatton said. "It's pretty poor from the officials that it took 32 holes to put them on the clock. Yesterday they'd lost a hole and a half, and then they weren't any better even this morning, and then for the second round they were just brutal. Fine for them; they're not waiting on any shot that they hit. But for us, we stood in the fairway, we stood on the tee. It was really hard to get a rhythm, so it was disappointing that it took 32 holes for an official to go, oh, we've put the group in front on the clock."

Hatton said he said something to a rules official on the eighth hole when his group had to wait to hit on 8 because the group ahead was still putting on the green. He said he knew that group was the culprit because the group two ahead was already teeing off on the 10th hole.

"It's a small field. It's not hard to really keep up with the group in front. I understand if you've had a tough hole, but when it's just like every hole, then it's a bit more frustrating."

DeChambeau shoots 73

(Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Bryson DeChambeau shoots a second-round 73.

An up and down back nine for DeChambeau who recorded three bogeys and two birdies.

He also had the content moment of the day when he carried a direction sign with his bare hand.

DeChambeau is currently at 6-under-par and tied with Max Homa.

Scottie Scheffler is the solo leader at 7-under-par.

Howling winds at Augusta

The winds are howling at Augusta National.

Gary Woodland's ball at the par-3 16th moved down the green from its original spot.

Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele had an extra wait at the par-4 11th.

A difficult conclusion to this second round ahead.

Middle East latest: No concern expressed from Israel about UNRWA employees since 2011, review finds

An independent report commissioned after Israel alleged 12 UNRWA employees took part in the Hamas attacks has found Israel had not expressed concerns about anyone on the agency staff lists it gets annually for more than a decade.

Monday 22 April 2024 22:59, UK

• Israel-Hamas war

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• No concerns expressed from Israel about UNRWA employees since 2011, report finds
• Rockets 'fired from Iraq towards US military base in Syria'
• Israeli intelligence head resigns over 7 October failings
• Dominic Waghorn: Reckoning in Israel after massive intelligence and military failure
• The big picture : What you need to know about the conflict in the Middle East right now
• Live reporting by Andy Hayes

We are pausing our coverage.

Thank you for reading - we will be back with more updates in the morning.

The prime minister of Pakistan has praised Iran's "strong stand on the issue of Palestine".

Shehbaz Sharif has welcomed Ebrahim Raisi, the president of Iran, to his country for a three-day visit.

"Pakistan is also with the Palestinians," Mr Sharif said.

In televised remarks, Mr Raisi said the deaths caused by the Israeli military in Gaza were being committed with the support of the United States and other Western countries.

Regarding international organisations - including the United Nations - he said: "They say they support human rights, but they proved that they are inefficient."

Iran recently launched an unprecedented missile and drone attack against Israel - after an alleged Israeli strike in Syria that killed two Iranian generals.

Pakistan is among countries that have no diplomatic relations with Israel because of the issue of Palestinian statehood.

By Alistair Bunkall , Middle East correspondent

It's taken 199 days for the first senior Israeli to resign over the Hamas attacks on 7 October.

Major General Aharon Haliva, Israel's military intelligence chief, said that under his command, the division "did not live up to the task we were entrusted with".

The argument that has kept military heads in post - one made by generals, intelligence chiefs and even Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - is that judgement should be suspended while the war against Hamas is being fought. 

There is cold logic in that, but almost seven months in, and with no conclusion in sight, judgement day is nearing and more Israelis are demanding accountability for the failure of their leaders.

General Haliva isn't the only IDF commander to express regret - he is the first to fall on his sword, though.

Others have hinted they will, when the time is right. 

If they conclude that standing down is the honourable thing to do, then pressure will grow on Mr Netanyahu. 

He remains the one leader yet to acknowledge blame. 

It is unsustainable - although the prime minister's position is reasonably stable for now.

Tonight, Israelis are sitting down to a Jewish festival - Passover - with 132 people still being held hostage in Gaza and the defeat of Hamas looking increasingly unlikely. 

Major General Haliva's resignation will not bring Mr Netanyahu down, but it might be the first brick to come out of the wall. 

EU foreign ministers have agreed in principle to increase sanctions against Iran, the bloc's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has said.

It follows Iran's unprecedented missile and drone attack against Israel on 13 April. 

There are already multiple European Union sanctions programmes against Iran.

These are for proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, human rights abuses, and supplying drones to Russia.

Several EU countries, however, have been calling for more sanctions regarding drones to cover missiles and transfers to proxy forces such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

"We have reached a political agreement in order to enlarge and expand the existing drone (sanctions) regime in order to cover missiles and their potential ... transfer to Russia," Mr Borrell told reporters following a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg. 

Israel said that 99% of the objects launched towards it were shot down. 

More resignations are possible after the head of Israeli military intelligence stood down earlier today, our  international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn  has said.

Major General Aharon Haliva admitted he failed to foresee and prevent the Hamas attacks in Israel on 7 October.

Asked whether there could be more resignations, Waghorn said: "I think so, potentially."

It is worth remembering that a "number of IDF commanders and intelligence chiefs have admitted responsibility and declared mea culpas in the wake of 7 October", he added.

Mr Haliva had written "quite a long resignation letter saying the burden of what he has to bear after 7 October is something that will live with him all his life".

Waghorn added that there is a "reckoning" as Israel tries to work out what happened on 7 October, which was a "massive intelligence and military failure".

"There will be a commission of inquiry and investigation," Waghorn said.  

"It's the beginning of what will be a long and I think very painful process for Israel as it comes to terms with the failures that led to the worst loss of Jewish life since World War Two."

Israel did not express concerns about anyone on the UNRWA staff lists it received annually since 2011, an independent review has found.

The report was commissioned after Israel alleged that a dozen employees of the United Nations agency helping Palestinian refugees took part in the Hamas attacks in Israel on 7 October.

A number of countries, including the UK, froze donations to UNRWA as a result.

Some of those nations - and the EU - have since restored funding, but the UK has not.

The 48-page report said UNRWA has "robust" procedures to uphold the UN's principle of neutrality.

However, it said there were serious gaps in implementation, including staff publicly expressing political views, textbooks with "problematic content", and staff unions disrupting operations.

The report, led by French former foreign minister Catherine Colonna, said that between 2017 and 2022, allegations of neutrality being breached at UNRWA ranged annually from 7 to 55. 

Between January 2022 and February 2024, UN investigators received 151 allegations - most of them related to social media posts "made public by external sources", the report added.

It said UNRWA shares lists of staff with host countries for its 32,000 staff, including about 13,000 in Gaza. 

It added that Israeli officials never expressed concerns and informed panel members they did not consider the list to be a "screening or vetting process", but rather a procedure to register diplomats. 

The Israeli foreign ministry told the panel that until March 2024, staff lists did not include Palestinian identification numbers, the report said. 

Apparently based on those numbers, "Israel made public claims that a significant number of UNRWA employees are members of terrorist organizations", the panel said. 

It added: "However, Israel has yet to provide supporting evidence of this."

Multiple countries supported Israel as it defended itself against Iran's unprecedented attack on 13 April. 

Our  Middle East correspondent Alistair Bunkall explains the "surprising, informal collaboration" that has emerged in the region in this video...

US forces in Iraq and Syria have been targeted in two separate rocket and drone attacks in less than 24 hours, Reuters news agency reports, citing security sources and US officials.

At least one armed drone was launched at the Ain al Asad air base hosting US troops in the western Iraqi province of Anbar, a US official said.

That attack followed five rockets fired from Iraq yesterday towards US forces at a base in Rumalyn, northeastern Syria, according to US and Iraqi officials.

Referring to the rocket attack, Iraqi armed faction Kata'ib Hezbollah earlier denied it had resumed attacks on US forces after a three-month pause.

No casualties have been reported from the drone attacks.

On Saturday, a huge explosion at a military base in Iraq killed a member of an Iraqi security force that includes Iran-backed groups.

The force’s commander said it was an attack, while the army said it is investigating and there were no warplanes in the sky at the time.

The US denied involvement.

Mental illness could manifest among Palestinians in Gaza years from now, a UN expert has warned.

Tlaleng Mofokeng, UN special rapporteur on the right to health, warned it is "really important" to start considering the conflict's impact on the long-term wellbeing of Palestinians in Gaza.

"Of course, we see the physical injury, and because it's physical, one can appreciate the severity of it," she said.

"But acute mental distress that will then turn into anxiety and other kinds of mental illnesses later on in life is really, really important to start thinking intentionally about."

Ms Mofokeng said she is concerned about the risk of water and airborne diseases, and the lack of medical supplies, reproductive and mental health services in the territory.

"The health system in Gaza has been completely obliterated, and the right to health has been decimated at every level," she added.

Israeli troops have launched a surprise raid in the eastern part of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, Reuters is reporting.

Israel pulled its troops out of southern Gaza earlier this month, but their apparent return has caused residents to flee once more, the news agency added.

"They were too frightened," 42-year-old Ahmed Rezik said from a school where he is sheltering in the western part of Khan Younis.

"This morning many families who had left here in the past two weeks to go back home to Abassan came back," he told Reuters via a messaging app. 

"They said tanks pushed in the eastern area of the town under heavy fire, and they had to run for their lives."  

Meanwhile, Palestinian authorities said more bodies had been recovered from mass graves on the site of the city's main hospital, abandoned by Israeli troops (11.33 post).

Further south, there are reports of fresh air strikes in Rafah, where more than half the enclave's 2.3 million people have sought shelter.

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Ben Shelton Becomes Highest Ranked American Male Tennis Player for First Time in Career

• Author: Madison Williams

At 21 years old, Ben Shelton is already adding another accomplishment to his resume by becoming the highest-ranked American male tennis player at No. 14 in this week's ATP rankings.

This is also the highest ranking of Shelton's young career. He began the 2023 season at No. 96 in the world, but his achievements over the past year helped propel him to the top 15 in the world.

Shelton surpassed Taylor Fritz for the top American ranking, who now sits at No. 15. Fritz held the title for over a year .

Another accomplishment for the World No. 14 👏 pic.twitter.com/rohTGuqY8d — USTA (@usta) April 15, 2024

The Atlanta native most recently played at the ATP Houston tournament, winning the title over fellow American, Frances Tiafoe. This was just the second title won in Shelton's career.

Last year was the breakout season for Shelton , especially after he faced World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the U.S. Open semifinals. He beat Tiafoe and another American Tommy Paul on his run to the semifinals. Before that, he lost to Paul in the Australian Open quarterfinals in Jan. 2023.

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