How to make a good resume for the United States?

How to make a good resume for the U.S.A.

How to make a good resume for the United States? This is a key question if you are Venezuelan and you have decided to start a new stage abroad. 

Moving to another country brings with it many changes, and one of the most important is adapting to the new environment. local labor market

At United Stateshave a good curriculum vitae (CV) is essential to stand out among hundreds or even thousands of applicants for the same position. But how do you make a curriculum attractive to recruiters in a country with such a high level of diverse and competitive?

We know that, as VenezuelanIf you're not familiar with the differences between the two, you may be faced with a couple of additional challenges. You may not be familiar with the differences between the CV format used in Venezuela and the one expected in the U.S.

Or maybe you wonder if your work experience in Venezuela will be valued in the same way as in your new country. Here, we are going to guide you step by step to learn how to make a good resume for the United Statesadapted to your standards and expectations. 

From how to organize the information, which sections are crucial, to what is the most important type of details you should include to make your CV look professional and attractive for the recruiters there.

In this guide, we will also discuss the best practices for Venezuelans who have emigrated and are looking for new job opportunities. 

We know that the path is not always easy, but with the Adequate CVyour chances of landing the job of your dreams increase considerably. So, if you're ready to take that first step toward your dream job, your chances of landing your dream job increase considerably. future employment in the United Statesread on. We will help you to create a resume that speaks for you.

Why is it important to have a good resume in the United States?

resume in United States

When you move to a new country, one of the first steps to start your professional life is to update your resume. 

At United Statesa CV well done is not only a cover letterbut a key tool to stand out from the crowd of applicants. So, why is it so important to have a good resume there?

First, it is important to understand that the labor market in the United States is very competitive. Here, recruiters receive dozens or even hundreds of resumes for a single job. 

If your CV if it is not well organized, if it is not clear or if it is not adapted to what employers are looking for, it is very likely to go unnoticed. That's why a good CV is essential to capture the attention of recruiters and show them why you are the ideal candidate.

In addition, each country has its own rules and expectations about what a CV. At United Statesfor example, it is not common to include a photo or personal details such as marital status or date of birth. 

On the other hand, it is highly valued that the CV should be clear, concise and highlight your accomplishments rather than just your work history.. The recruiters in the United States are looking for specific results and competencies, so it is important to know what to include and how to present it effectively.

Another important aspect is that having a CV well done can help you overcome automatic selection systems called ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems)

Many companies use these resume filtering software before they reach a human recruiter. A Keyword optimized CV can help you get past that first barrier and increase your chances of getting an interview.

In short, a good resume for the United States not only helps you to be seen, but also gives you the opportunity to stand out among other candidates.

What elements are essential?

Job interview

When you start to make your resume for the United States, it is important that you include certain key elements to make it look professional and attractive to recruiters. 

Below, we explain each section of the CV that should not be missing and how to present them in the best way.

Personal data

Although it is not as necessary to include as much personal information as in other countries, in The United States is critical that recruiters can easily contact you. Here's what you should include:

  • Full name: make sure it is well written and clear.
  • E-mail address: use a professional email, preferably with your name, for example: juanperez@email.com.
  • Telephone number: if you are already in the United States, you can include your number with the US area code, but if you still live in another country, enter your international number.
  • Link to your LinkedIn: this is very important, as many recruiters search your LinkedIn profile to get more details about your experience and skills.

Avoid including details such as your age, photo or marital status, are not relevant and, in many cases, they are considered unnecessary in United States.

Professional Objective

Here you should briefly summarize what you are looking for and what you can offer the employer. This section is not mandatory, but it can be very helpful for them to quickly see what you hope to accomplish in your career and how your skills align with the position. 

An example could be:

"I am a software engineer with more than 5 years of experience in mobile application development. I am looking for a position where I can contribute my knowledge in agile development and improve team efficiency."

Work experience

This is one of the most important parts of your CV. Here you should include the jobs you have held, especially those most relevant to the position you are looking for. For each job, include:

  • Company name
  • Location of the company (if significant, you can put only the country or city).
  • Start and end dates of employment (month and year).
  • Description of your responsibilities and accomplishments.
  • The important thing in this section is to highlight what you achieved in each position. Use action verbs and if you can, quantify your accomplishments. 

For example:

"I developed an application that increased team productivity on a 30% by automating repetitive tasks."

Education

At United Statescompanies place a high value on education, but if you have a good studies are from Venezuela or another countryIt is important to present this information in a way that recruiters can easily understand. Here are some recommendations:

  • Name of educational institution
  • Title obtained
  • Start and end dates of your studies.
  • If you have any additional certification, such as a relevant course or master's degree, include it here.
  • If your degree is not known in the U.S., you can add a brief description of what you studied or look for an equivalency in the U.S. educational system.

Skills

In this section, it lists the most important skills you have and that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Divide the skills into two categories:

  • Technical skills: such as software management, programming, or any other technical skills needed in your field.
  • Soft skills: are skills related to the way you interact and work, such as communication, leadership or teamwork.

For example:

  • Technical skills: Java, Python, SQL and agile project management.
  • Soft skills: effective communication, problem solving and working under pressure.

Additional certifications and courses

If you have taken a course or have any certification that makes you stand out, it is very important to include it. At United Statescertifications can be a big plus, especially in fields such as technology, project management or languages

Remember that each section must be well organized, with a clean and easy to read design. Use bulleted lists and do not include too many unnecessary details. 

What matters is that your CV is clear, concise and that reflects the best of you. This way, recruiters can quickly see that you are the right person for the job.

Tools to create a quality CV

Tools to create a CV

We know that sitting down in front of a blank sheet of paper to make a resume can be intimidating, especially if you're tailoring it to the U.S. standards. 

But don't worry, because nowadays there are many tools that can facilitate the process and help you to create a professional and attractive CV without the need to be a design expert.

Canva

Canva is a very popular tool because it allows you to create resumes with modern and easy-to-use templates. 

The best thing is that you don't need to have any design knowledge; you simply choose a template, edit the information with your data and that's it. In addition, you can download your CV in PDF formatwhich is the most recommended format for sending it to companies.

Zety

Zety is a platform specialized in the creation of resumes. They offer optimized templates for different types of jobs and guide you step by step to complete each section. 

They also suggest examples of phrases and keywords you can includewhich is very useful for passing the automatic selection systems (ATS). Of course, some advanced functions have to be paid for, but the basic ones are usually sufficient.

Resume.io

Another excellent option is Resume.iowhich has a very user-friendly interface. They offer clean and professional templatesideal for the standards of United States. In addition, you can customize the design and adapt it according to the type of job to which you are applying.

 Novoresume

If you are looking for a Professional looking CVbut also easy to read, Novoresume is a great option. Its online editor is easy to use and offers tips to improve your CV writing. In addition, it has templates that meet the expectations of U.S. recruiters.

Tips for using these tools

  • Choose a professional template: opt for simple and elegant designs. Remember that the important thing is that the recruiter can easily read your information, not that the design is too flashy.
  • Customize each section: don't copy generic phrases. Make sure your CV reflects your skills, achievements and experience in an authentic way.
  • Download in PDF: Most of these tools allow you to download your CV in PDF format, which is ideal because it keeps the design intact when you send it.

We hope this guide has been of great help to you in understanding how to make a good resume for the U.S.A.

We know that adapting to a new country can be a challenge, but we know that from Curiara We want to accompany you on this journey and make this start is easier and simpler for you. Remember that with a Well-prepared CV, you'll be one step closer to achieving your career goals and making your way in the U.S. labor marketWe wish you every success in this new phase!