You’ve probably heard the term “CV” more than once. Sometimes, it’s used as a synonym for a resume, but other times you’ve wondered if it means something completely different.
So, which one is it? What is a Curriculum Vitae, anyway? Is it any different from a resume?
You’re confused, and we don’t blame you.
That’s why this article is here to answer all these questions, and more!
We’re going to cover:
- What Is a CV?
- What Is a Resume?
- What Are the Differences Between Them?
Let’s dive in.
What Is a CV?
A CV is a document that summarizes your work experience, educational background, skills, and relevant achievements. It’s typically used when applying for jobs, college, or any other positions that require a structured overview of your professional profile.
The term CV itself is an abbreviation of the Latin Curriculum Vitae, which translates to “the course of your life.”
But the details behind what a CV actually is depend on where you are.
In most parts of the world, such as Europe, Asia, Australia, and even parts of Canada, a CV is identical to a resume, and the two words are used interchangeably.
Typically, a European CV is anywhere between one and two pages long. That said, we recommend you stick to a one-page CV unless you have a lot of experience, in which case a two-page CV is fine.
So, if you’re applying for a job in the United Kingdom and they request that you send in your CV, they’re basically asking that you submit a resume.
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Quick Tip
Looking for a job? Follow our detailed guide to learn how to write a CV!
What Is an American CV?
Now, if you’re applying for a job in North America, it’s a whole other story.
In the United States, a CV is a lot more detailed than a resume.
American CVs are meant to reflect all your experience so far. That means you need to include every job you’ve had, all levels of education, any publications, any projects, and other professional experiences or achievements.
Every time you accomplish something new, either professionally or academically, you should update your CV. That means that whenever you get a new job, publish a new paper, obtain a certificate, or earn an academic title, it goes on your CV.
In the US, though, a CV is only required when you’re applying for an academic or research position, which is why it can also be referred to as an academic CV.
And unlike a US resume, a CV can be up to a dozen pages long. The length of your CV depends entirely on how much experience you have.
What Should a CV Include?
Generally, these sections are must-haves for any CV:
- Contact Information
- CV Personal Statement
- Work Experience
- Educational History
- Skills and Expertise
Optionally, if you have leftover space, you can also include:
- Languages
- Volunteer Experience
- Certificates
- Internships
- Publications
- Projects
- Awards
- Hobbies and Interests
Now, when you’re making an academic CV, things are a bit different.
Academic CVs follow a specific structure and can include over 15 different sections, in this order:
- Contact Information
- Personal Profile or Research Objective
- Education
- Professional Appointments
- Publications
- Grants and Fellowships
- Awards and Honors
- Conferences and Talks
- Teaching Experience
- Research Experience
- Other Activities
- Languages
- Skills
- Hobbies and Interests
- References
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Quick Tip
Not sure how to format your CV? Read this article to find out!
Executive CV Example
Take a look at a two-page CV for an experienced professional:
Academic CV Example
Check out this great academic CV made with our very own CV builder:
What Is a Resume?
A resume is a short, straight-to-the-point document created for the purpose of applying to a specific job.
Unlike the CV, you should try to keep a resume as short as possible.
In 99% of cases, you want to keep your resume to one page.
However, if you have more than 15 years of experience or if you really think that some extra information will add value to your application, you can make it, at most, two pages long.
When writing a resume, you should only mention aspects of your work experience and skills that are directly relevant to the exact job you’re applying for.
What this means is that if you’re applying for two different jobs, you need to create two separate resumes for them.
A well-written resume highlights your most impressive achievements and showcases how your different skills can be useful for the position you are applying to.
Usually, you would submit your resume alongside a cover letter, which lets you further explain why you’re applying and what makes you the right candidate for the job. Knowing how to write a great cover letter can complement your resume and show the hiring manager how you can excel at the job you’re applying for.
What Should a Resume Include?
A resume is identical to the regular European CV you would use to apply for a job.
All resumes include these crucial resume sections:
- Contact Information
- Resume Summary or Resume Objective
- Work Experience
- Skills
- Education
If you have leftover space once you fill them out, you can choose from the following optional sections:
- Internships
- Volunteering
- Certifications
- Languages
- Projects
- Publications
- Awards
- Hobbies and Interests
Resume Example
Let’s look at a great professional resume example made using our resume builder:
9 Differences Between an Academic CV and a Resume
Now that you have a clear idea about what CVs and resumes are, let’s look at a complete list of the differences between them.
To keep this list clear, we’re only using CV to refer to the long-form academic type of CV that’s used across North America:
- Length. Resumes are typically short and vary between one and two pages long at most. CVs, on the other hand, can be as long as necessary, and if you have a lot of experience, they can go for up to dozens of pages.
- Detail. Resumes should only include the most relevant information about you, while CVs contain your entire career history.
- Function. Resumes are more than enough for most job applications, while CVs are mainly used in academic settings. Whether you’re applying for a Ph.D. or for a position as a professor at a university, an academic CV is what you’re going to need.
- Tailoring. Resumes should always be tailored to the specific job you’re applying to, so a single job search can include dozens of resumes when you’re applying to different companies. CVs are always the same, regardless of where you apply, although they get longer as you gain more experience and qualifications.
- Focus. Resumes highlight your work experience, professional achievements, and most impressive skills, while CVs prioritize education, research experience, and publications.
- References. Typically, you don’t need to list references on a resume unless the employer specifically requests them. However, academics are encouraged to include professional references in their CVs.
- Formatting. While there are different resume formats that you can choose from, all academic CVs follow the exact same structure.
- Photos. Depending on the region, a resume can include photos. While it’s taboo or outright illegal in the US, UK, and Ireland, most countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America may require that you attach your photo. But when it comes to academic CVs, a photo should never be included, regardless of what country you’re in.
- Personal Information. Other personal information like your age, gender, ethnicity, or marital status shouldn’t be added to a resume in the US or UK. Employers in other countries might expect this, so you should do your research before submitting your resume. Again, regardless of where you are, none of this extra information should make it onto your academic CV.
FAQs About CVs and Resumes
Are you still wondering something about CVs and resumes? Check out the answers to the most frequently asked questions below.
Key Takeaways
And that’s the end of our article!
By now, you’re an expert on everything about CVs, resumes, and the differences between them.
Before you go, let’s quickly sum up what we covered:
- The difference between a CV and a resume depends on where you are. In most of the world, the two words mean the same thing.
- However, in the US and most of Canada, a CV is a completely different term. It’s a detailed academic document that includes all your experience, education, certificates, publications, and more.
- Resumes are typically one page long, but academic CVs can be anywhere from two to twenty pages in length. The number of pages you need for your CV depends on your level of experience.
- A resume can be used for job hunting in pretty much every industry, and it should be tailored according to each job you apply to. Meanwhile, a CV only changes when you gain more experience and qualifications, so it becomes longer.
- Academic CVs are the norm for jobs and admissions in academia, such as applications for a Ph.D. or a job as a professor.
- Do your research on the industry you’re applying to and the country you’re in to learn what other personal information your CV or resume should include.
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