U.S. résumés and job interviews: what's different

Step 1 — Get free help near you

• American Job Centers (AJCs). There are nearly 2,300, and they give free job search help to the public, with computers, printers and phones (CareerOneStop — Local help). Many offer interview classes and mock (practice) interviews (CareerOneStop — Practice questions). If you have authorization to work in the U.S., they can help you find a job (CareerOneStop — New Americans).
• Your public library. It might offer résumé writing help, free computers or a job club (CareerOneStop — Local help; USAGov). See your public library card.
• Online. CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, has a Resume Guide with sample résumés, some in Spanish (CareerOneStop — New Americans).

Step 2 — Write a short, targeted résumé

A résumé is a kind of job application that shows your strengths, experience and training (CareerOneStop — Resumes). CareerOneStop’s quick tips (CareerOneStop — Resumes):

• keep it to one or two pages, with a clean layout and no unnecessary graphics or colors;
• tailor it to each job, with keywords from the job description;
• lead with results (“Increased engagement by 40%” rather than “Responsible for social media”);
• proofread, then proofread again.

The usual sections are a header with the name you go by and your contact details, a headline and short summary, skills, work experience, education, continuing education, and other information such as awards (CareerOneStop — The basic elements). An employer first wants to learn how you could help the organization, so show what you achieved, not only your duties (CareerOneStop — Accomplishments).

Step 3 — Leave out what employers shouldn’t use

In many countries, a CV includes a photo, a date of birth or family details. In the U.S., these usually stay off:

• The law. It is illegal to discriminate against an applicant because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information (EEOC — Prohibited Practices). The EEOC calls information about race, sex, national origin, age and religion irrelevant to whether you’re qualified, and says employers should not ask for a photograph; one needed for identification can be taken after you accept an offer (EEOC).
• Federal jobs say it plainly. USAJOBS tells applicants to leave out photos, their Social Security number, and personal information such as age, sex or religious affiliation (USAJOBS — Federal résumé).
• A general tip for other jobs: leave off marital status, children, nationality and your date of birth too, and never your Social Security number (protecting your SSN).

Step 4 — Explain your experience from abroad

A U.S. reader may not know your former employer, title or school. USAJOBS warns that the first person reading a federal résumé may not know your field, so avoid jargon and use words from the job announcement (USAJOBS — Government vs. private sector). General tips that work everywhere:

• add one line about what each employer does;
• put a common U.S. job title next to your official one when they differ;
• give dates as month and year (USAJOBS — Federal résumé);
• name your transferable skills, such as communication or problem-solving: list the key tasks from past jobs and highlight the verbs (CareerOneStop — Transferable skills).

If an employer asks how your degree compares with a U.S. degree, or your job needs a state license, see foreign degree recognition; don’t claim a “U.S. equivalent” without an evaluation. For your English, see free English classes.

Step 5 — Federal jobs have their own rules

Federal jobs are listed on USAJOBS (USAGov). In general, you must be a U.S. citizen or national to work for the federal government, with rare exceptions; the “This job is open to” section of each announcement says whether non-citizens can apply (USAJOBS — Non-citizens).

If you can apply, the résumé works differently (USAJOBS — Federal résumé):

• Federal agencies accept résumés of up to two pages only, to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan, and USAJOBS won’t let you upload a longer one.
• For each job, list the employer, title, start and end dates, hours per week, and what you did, at the level the announcement asks for.
• Use plain language and address every required qualification: the agency “will not make assumptions” about your résumé.

Step 6 — Add a cover letter and references

Cover letter. Many employers don’t ask for one (CareerOneStop — Cover letters). Write one when the posting asks for it, and consider one when it’s optional, for example to explain a gap in your work history (CareerOneStop). Aim for about 200–400 words in 3–4 short paragraphs, addressed to a person or a job title, not “To Whom It May Concern” (CareerOneStop). One sentence about your move can explain a recent arrival.

References. Most applications ask for references, so collect their contact details early (CareerOneStop — Job applications). Employers other than religious organizations should not ask for references from religious leaders (EEOC — Religion). A general tip: ask your references first, and warn those abroad that a U.S. employer may contact them in English.

Applications. Answer honestly: false information can be grounds for dismissal (CareerOneStop — Job applications).

Step 7 — Prepare for the interview, live or on video

An interview may be a short screening call (some are automated, with recorded answers), an in-depth or panel interview, a skill test or a group interview (CareerOneStop — Types of interviews). CareerOneStop’s advice (CareerOneStop — Get ready):

• research the employer and practice answers out loud, with real examples; you can ask an AJC for a free mock interview;
• arrive 10–15 minutes early, or be ready to sign on 10–15 minutes early online;
• make eye contact, give honest, direct answers, and ask for a question to be repeated if you don’t understand it;
• don’t say negative things about past employers;
• prepare a few questions of your own.

Expect “Tell me about yourself”, where one or two sentences about your work background are enough, and “behavioral” questions about past challenges (CareerOneStop — Practice questions). A general tip: talking openly about your achievements is normal here, even if it feels like boasting at home.

On video: sign in early, test your sound, camera and connection, check your lighting and background, look at the camera, and get the interviewer’s phone number in case the connection fails (CareerOneStop — Virtual interviews). Your AJC or library may help with equipment or a private space, and recorded answers are reviewed later by a staff member, so speak as if to a live person (CareerOneStop).

Step 8 — Know which questions cross the line

What the EEOC says:

• Employers generally can’t ask disability-related questions or require a medical exam until after a conditional job offer; before that, they may ask whether you need an accommodation for a specific job duty (EEOC — Disability).
• Questions about your religion are generally viewed as not job-related (EEOC — Religion). Asking whether you’re pregnant, married or planning to marry, how many children you have, or about child care may be seen as evidence of intent to discriminate (EEOC — Marital status).
• Most employers should not ask whether you’re a U.S. citizen before making an offer, and Form I-9 can’t be done before you accept one (EEOC — Citizenship).
• Treating you unfavorably because of your accent or where you’re from can be national origin discrimination (EEOC — National origin).

The Justice Department’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) handles citizenship status and national origin discrimination in hiring, and unfair document practices (DOJ — IER). Work papers and complaints are covered in finding a job and discrimination complaints.

A general tip: if you hear such a question, answer briefly or steer back to your skills, and note the date, names and question afterward.

Step 9 — After the interview: pay and the offer

• Thank-you note. Send it within 24 hours to each person you met, restating your interest and key skills (CareerOneStop — Get ready).
• Pay. The Salary Finder shows low, median and high pay for 800 occupations by area, to help you judge an offer and answer salary questions (CareerOneStop — Salary Finder help). On applications, CareerOneStop suggests a salary range or “negotiable” (CareerOneStop — Job applications).
• Background checks. An employer that gets a report on you from a background check company must first ask your written permission; if it might not hire you because of the report, it must give you a copy and a notice of your rights (EEOC and FTC — Background Checks).
• The offer. A general tip: get the title, pay, hours and start date in writing before you quit another job or move. First-day paperwork, including Form I-9, is in finding a job; your first paycheck, in your paycheck explained.