Rostam Blog
How to Prepare Your Résumé – Tips For New U.S. Immigrants
One of the biggest reasons why people choose to immigrate to the United States is to find work, so they can provide support for their families and save for their futures. However, landing a job isn’t always easy, especially with more and more people competing for the same positions. Having a professional-looking résumé is a smart idea when you are looking for a job, but résumés can vary widely across borders, so it’s important to take steps to make yours stand out from the pack in a good way.
If you are currently in the U.S. and want to begin your job search, here are a few tips to make sure your résumé gets seen by a prospective employer.
Leave out highly personal information. In some areas of the world, it’s normal to list things like age, religion, and martial status on a résumé, but in the U.S., this is considered to be a bad idea. Legally, employers are not allowed to inquire about these personal details, or take them into deliberation when making hiring decisions, so be sure to leave them off.
Don’t ramble. American résumés are often very short and concise, with bullet points and other easy-to-read facts. Resist the urge to go into detail about your past experiences and work history, and format your page so it can be read quickly. Often, employers will skip over résumés that are too long or wordy.
Put it into American formatting. There are many little technicalities that differentiate native résumés from foreign ones, including spelling, grammar, and symbols. Find a U.S. native to help you convert your résumé into a format that won’t stand out in a bad way, and help you find the wording and layout that flows well.
Leave off the photo. Some countries and industries expect to see a headshot along with a résumé, but in this case, it’s best to avoid that. Unless an employer specifically asks for one, don’t attach a photo, and instead, let your experience and skills speak for you.
Provide the correct contact information. Employers are usually in a hurry when going over résumés, and if yours makes the first cut (by following the above four rules), they will want to contact you. Make this information easy to find and ensure that it’s correct. Give a phone number and email address that you use often.
If you need help with your U.S. immigration process, reach out to us today, and let the best immigration attorneys in Los Angeles assist with your case. Give us a call for your free consultation!