You’re about to apply for a new job and you’ve been asked to submit your resume. Or was it a CV? What’s the difference you wonder? It’s a common question for job seekers worldwide. Let’s explore the meaning of these two terms, uncovering the key differences between resume vs CV and when to use which.
Before we dive into the specifics, let’s clarify the meaning of “resume” and “CV.” While both types of document serve the same purpose—showcasing your qualifications to potential employers—they can differ significantly in format, length, and use. There are even certain regional and language nuances where these terms can be used interchangeably.
What’s a Resume?
A resume is a term commonly used in North America to describe a concise document summarizing your work experience, skills, education, and achievements tailored to the job you’re applying for. Think of it as a snapshot of your career, typically spanning one to two pages at most, hence the term “resume” which originates from the French word “résumé” and means “summary”.
When to Use a Resume:
A resume is the most widely accepted format for applying to positions in industries that are non-academic, such as positions in business, technology, marketing, and administration. They can be used for Entry-Level, Mid-Career, Senior Leadership and even Executive roles to effectively showcase relevant skills and experience. Basically, unless you’re applying for an academic, research, medical or highly scientific role, you should be using a resume for your job application.
What’s a CV?
On the other hand, a CV – which is short for the latin term “Curriculum Vitae”, and translates to “course of life” is a much more exhaustive document often extending multiple pages beyond the standard 1-2 pages for a resume. A CV is a comprehensive and complete overview of your academic and professional history, including a detailed record of your achievements, research, teaching experience, publications, and more.
When to Use a CV:
A CV is used in situations that require a detailed overview of your professional and academic history. Here are some common scenarios where a CV would be appropriate:
- Academic Positions: When applying for roles in academia, such as faculty positions, research posts, or fellowships, a CV is preferred to detail one’s educational background, teaching experience, research, publications, presentations, awards, honors, and any other academic achievements.
- Scientific or Research Roles: Positions that involve scientific research, laboratory work, or other research-oriented roles often require a CV to highlight research projects, publications, conferences attended, and any relevant work in the field.
- Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships: When applying for grants, scholarships, or fellowships, a CV is typically required to provide a comprehensive overview of an individual’s academic and professional accomplishments, which can be crucial for selection committees.
- International Jobs: In many countries outside of the United States, a CV is the standard document for job applications regardless of the industry. It’s more detailed than a resume and provides a fuller picture of the candidate’s qualifications.
- Medical, Dental, and Healthcare: Professionals in the medical, dental, and healthcare fields often use a CV to apply for positions, detailing their internships, residencies, fellowships, licenses, and professional experience.
- High-Level Executive Positions: For senior-level or executive positions, a CV can be useful to comprehensively present one’s lengthy career progression, leadership roles, achievements, and contributions to previous organizations.
- Arts, Performance, and Writing: Artists, performers, and writers may use a CV to list exhibitions, performances, publications, or productions they have been involved with, along with any awards or recognitions received.
Regional differences: Resume vs CV
The term “CV” (Curriculum Vitae) and “resume” are used differently around the world, with variations in expectation and format depending on the country and context.
In the United States and Canada:
Resume: The term “resume” is more commonly used in the U.S. and Canada for applications to most jobs. A resume is a concise document, typically one to two pages long, that summarizes an applicant’s skills, experience, and education relevant to the job they are applying for.
CV: In these countries, a CV is a more detailed and longer document that outlines an individual’s entire academic and professional history. It is primarily used for applications within academia, education, science, or research positions. A CV includes publications, awards, scholarships, projects, and detailed descriptions of previous roles and accomplishments.
There is an exception to this rule in French-speaking Quebec, where it is common to ask for a CV for most jobs, which actually means a resume.
In Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia:
CV: The term “CV” is more commonly used in these regions for job applications and is equivalent to the American resume in purpose but can vary in length. It is typically expected to provide detailed information about one’s education, work experience, skills, and sometimes personal interests and hobbies. However, unlike the American CV, it is used for all job applications, not just academic or research positions.
Expectations and Differences:
Length and Detail: In places where “CV” is used in the context of a job application (outside of the U.S. and Canada), it may not be as lengthy as the American CV used for academic positions but is generally more detailed than a resume.
Personal Information: In some countries, it is common to include personal information such as date of birth, marital status, and even a photograph on a CV, which would be unusual and often discouraged on a resume in the U.S. and Canada due to employment discrimination laws.
Format and Content: While resumes are highly tailored to the specific job, highlighting relevant experience and skills, CVs, where used in the non-academic context outside North America, provide a more comprehensive overview of one’s career path without the need for customization for each application.
Differences in length and formatting: Resume vs CV
Length Differences
One of the most noticeable distinctions between resumes and CVs is their length. Resumes are succinct, focusing on brevity and relevance. In contrast, CVs can be lengthy, accommodating extensive academic and professional details.
The length of a resume is typically one to two pages, ensuring that recruiters can quickly grasp the essential skills and qualifications that are relevant to the job. Conversely, a CV can span multiple pages, allowing you to provide detailed information about your academic achievements, research projects, publications, and more.
Format Variations
Resumes typically follow a chronological or functional structure, showcasing recent and relevant accomplishments, using bullet points to list achievements and skills for easy scanning by recruiters. Think of a resume as your marketing tool to grab the attention of recruiters and hiring managers quickly. When crafting a resume, focus on quantifiable achievements and relevant skills that align with the job description. Highlight your accomplishments in previous roles, demonstrating your ability to contribute to the prospective employer’s success. In a resume, you’ll often find sections such as:
- Contact Information
- Professional Summary or Objective
- Work Experience
- Education
- Skills
- Achievements or Awards
CVs often use reverse chronological order for listing education, experience, and publications. A CV should provide an in-depth overview of your academic background, research contributions, teaching experience, and publications, showcasing your expertise in a particular field. Maintain consistency in formatting and use clear headings to guide the reader through your academic and professional journey.
CVs will include most of the same sections as a resume, but may include additional sections such as:
- Publications: Listing your published articles, papers, or books.
- Research Experience: Detailing your involvement in academic research projects.
- Presentations: Documenting your participation in conferences or seminars.
- Grants and Fellowships
So, which should you use— resume vs CV?
As a rule of thumb, if you’re applying for positions outside academia in the US or Canada, a resume is likely sufficient. However, for academic, research or scientific roles, a CV is more appropriate.
Whichever you choose, ensure it effectively communicates your qualifications and sets you apart from other candidates. You can use tools like the Careerpilot AI Resume builder to build your resume or CV. Whether it’s a resume or a CV, your goal remains the same—landing your dream job.
