How to Apply for Jobs in the USA: Resume Standards, Direct ATS Portals & Work Authorization
Understand US resume formatting conventions, Equal Employment Opportunity disclosures, salary transparency laws, and work visa pathways.
1. Follow Standard US Resume Conventions
Unlike CVs in parts of Europe or Asia, a standard US resume should never include a photograph, date of birth, marital status, or national ID number. Keep the document to 1 page for early-career candidates and 1–2 pages for experienced professionals.
Focus each bullet point on measurable outcomes—such as system uptime, patients cared for per shift, cost savings, or on-time delivery metrics.
- Omit personal photos, age, and marital status to comply with US anti-discrimination norms.
- Include city/state (or country if applying from abroad) and a direct phone/email contact header.
- Answer the two standard work authorization questions accurately on the employer ATS form.
2. Understand US Work Authorization Questions
Almost every US employer application form asks two standard questions: (1) Are you legally authorized to work in the United States? and (2) Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B, TN, E-3, O-1)? Answer honestly and prioritize employers whose listings explicitly confirm visa sponsorship if you require a petition.