while both resumes and curricula vitae are used in job applications (and some employers may use the terms interchangeably), these two formatted documents have a few distinct differences.
in this article, we discuss the key differences between a cv and a resume, what to include in each, and when to use one versus the other. this will help you ensure you’ve prepared the right document for your job applications.
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differences between a resume and a cv
among the key differences between a resume and a curriculum vitae, or cv, include the document’s length, its contents, and purpose. you should take note of which region of the world you’re applying in, plus your career path when deciding which is more appropriate to use.
most notably, in the united states, a resume should be a concise and curated collection of your professional experience, skills, and qualifications that are strictly relevant to the job you’re applying for. in contrast, aandnbsp;cvandnbsp;is more comprehensive, presenting an in-depth history of your professional and academic credentials and accomplishments.
1. length
since a resume includes your skills and qualifications for a specific role, it should typically be just one or two pages. a cv won’t have a length limit and is much longer than most resumes because it includes more information and detailed descriptions of coursework, research, publications or presentations.
2. experience or career type
resumes are used when applying for jobs in the private or public sectors which are often referred to as 'industry positions' in contrast to academia. by contrast, cvs are mostly used to apply for academic roles or programs, grants, fellowships, and research or teaching positions. you may have a cv if you’re currently applying to or have graduated from a master's or doctoral program, or if you work as a professor or researcher at an academic institution.andnbsp;
3. geographic location
in the u.s., a resume and a cv are two distinctly different types of documents used for different purposes. in other regions of the world, such as the uk, new zealand, and parts of europe, employers use the term cv to describe both cv and resume-style documents and don’t use the term "resume" at all. in south africa, australia, and india, the terms cv and resume are often used interchangeably.andnbsp;
what is a resume?
a resume is a document that summarizes your career history, skills, and education. the term originates from the french word résumé, which translates to "abstract"andnbsp;or "summary."
what to include on a resume
a resume typically includes a professional or "summary" statement, a dedicatedandnbsp;skills section,andnbsp;and aandnbsp;condensed descriptionandnbsp;of your recent and relevant professional achievements listed in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most current job.
you may also choose to share yourandnbsp;educationandnbsp;experience, relevant professional associations you’re a part of or volunteer work. if you have little orandnbsp;no professional work experience, you might list relevant internships, apprenticeships, volunteer work or personal projects instead.
what is a cv?
a cvandnbsp;(abbreviation for the latin word curriculum vitae, or "course of life") is a detailed and comprehensive document that describes the course of your academic and professional accomplishments.
it’s usually formatted in chronological order and starts with your educational experience. while there is no lengthandnbsp;requirement on a cv, most range from three to ten pages though some might be even longer. generally, the more experience you have, the longer your cv will be.
what to include on a cv
typically, you’ll include your career history as well as your education, awards, special honors, grants or scholarships, research or academic projects, and publications on your cv. you might also includeandnbsp;professional references, coursework, fieldwork, descriptions of dissertations, and a personal profile that lists your relevant skills and attributes.
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resume and cv faq
if you’re unsure whether an employer requires a resume or cv, ask yourself the following questions to help determine the best document:
what kind of job are you applying for?
if you’re applying for a job in academia, especially as an educator, teaching assistant, or researcher at a college or university, you’ll probably need a cv. some postsecondary institutions have guidelines for what to include in a cv, so be sure to check the school’s website or ask a recruiter or hiring manager for this information before you apply.
where is the company based?
depending on where the company is located, cvandnbsp;may refer to a standard resume or it may refer to the longer form, highly detailed document as explained above. to determine which you should send, first, consider the type of job.
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if it’s an academic or research position, the employer is likely seeking a traditional cv.
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if it’s any other type of job, including a role with a business or even a staff position within academia, then the employer is likely seeking the shorter form resume-style document.
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if you’re in doubt about whether you should send a cv or resume, reach out to the recruiter or hiring manager and ask for clarification.
should you create a resume and a cv?
if you have a resume but not a cv (or vice versa), it may be worthwhile to put one together. a cv is, in many ways, a more detailed version of a resume with a few additional pieces of information, so creating one from the other shouldn’t require a great deal of work.
having the right document for a job application is crucial, and keeping both options on hand will ensure you’re prepared no matter what the job posting requests.
