When you’re going for jobs or academic positions, getting the application on point is a must. Before doing anything else, you have your first call to make. CV vs. resume: Which will you choose? It’s quite the conundrum and has the power to stump the best of us.
Chances are, there are plenty of questions buzzing around in your mind. What is a CV, anyway? When should you use it? How exactly does it differ from a standard resume? Can’t you use the two words interchangeably? If you’re left scratching your head, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we will be looking at a CV vs. a resume, defining the core differences, and talking about when you should use each. We will also cover how you can make your decision.
10 differences between a CV and resume
Trying to decide between a CV vs. a resume? We have the answers you have been looking for. Contrary to popular belief, these two documents are not the same. They have different purposes and they also contain different elements. Here are 10 differences between a CV and resume.
1. Origin of the document name
Before we delve into the mysteries of a CV vs. a resume, let’s take things back to basics. Why do these two documents have such wildly different names? The reason is that each name comes from a different language — one dead, and one very much still alive.
Resume comes from the French word “résumé” which means “to summarize”. At some point in history, the English speaking world borrowed this phrase to mean a document that summarizes our work history. It is most common here in the US and in Canada.
CV, on the other hand, stands for “curriculum vitae,” which is Latin for the “course of one’s life”. Similarly, English speakers have adopted this phrase to use when referring to a document that details a person’s career history and the achievements they have gained over the years.
2. The purpose of the application
Next up, let’s talk about when you use a CV vs. a resume. The main reason that you would choose one over the other is because of the purpose of your application. (Note that there is another less common reason, which we will cover at the end of this list!)
Resumes are used when you are applying for what’s known as “industry positions” in the United States. That is a blanket term that covers most formal roles both in the private and the public sector. Most modern-day positions will fall into this category. For that reason, most applicants will use resumes as standard when they are applying for a new role.
However, there is a time and a place to use a CV instead. If you are applying for an academic role, a scholarship, a course, or another formal program, you might want to use this type of document. Equally, should you be continuing your education and applying for a master's or doctoral program, you will find that using a CV is the right way to go.
3. Your intended audience or reader
That brings us neatly around to your intended audience. When you are sending this document out there into the world, you will have a reader in mind. Whether you are sending a CV vs. a resume, you need to know who the audience is so that you can tailor it to meet their needs.
Resumes are usually read by a hiring manager or a recruiter. That is because these are used to apply for mainstream — i.e. non-academic — positions. As such, you will use the type of professional language that the hiring manager expects to see from candidates.
CVs are often read by someone in academia. That may be a panel of academics, a dean, or a lecturer. Once again, this means that the tone of your CV will differ from that of a resume. You may use industry-specific terms and, as we will discuss, include specific sections for them.
4. The length of the document
One of the main differences between a CV vs. a resume is the length of the document. The latter is shorter than the former, and there's a good reason for that. When you are writing either a CV or a resume, you should be clear on how long you want the document to be in the end.
Resumes should be between one and two pages long. If you are an entry-level candidate with little experience, it’s safe to stick to just one page. It’s likely that you will be able to fit all of the information that you need on a single page. However, should you have more experience, our advice is to use two pages. This approach will allow you to include all of the information that you need while also weaving in the keywords and phrases to get past the applicant tracking system.
CVs don’t have a specific limit. Put simply, you can make this document as long as it needs to be so that you can include all of the details about your academic history. When you are writing a CV, you will be showcasing the accolades that you have gained over the years so far. You don’t need to confine these nuggets of information to one or two pages. You may find that your CV is far longer than that, even spanning to four or more pages in length.
5. How you format the content
Next up, let’s talk about the formatting of your document. Before you put a figurative pen to paper, you need to know what structure you are going to follow. This will give your document shape and ensure that you stay on point when writing your next application. When you are writing a CV vs. a resume, the format you will use will be strikingly different.
Resumes usually follow a reverse chronological order. That means that the most recent positions and achievements sit at the top of the page and go back in time as you move down. However, this is by no means the only option. There will be occasions when candidates prefer to use a functional resume format or even a combination (also known as a hybrid) resume format.
There is a far stricter protocol when you are writing a CV. You cannot choose which format to use, depending on your goals. Instead, you need to stick to the reverse chronological format at all times. That is because this is what academics expect to see when reviewing applications.
6. Whether you tailor the document
Next up, let’s talk about tailoring your document. Whether you do this will depend highly on whether you are writing a CV vs. a resume. Luckily, there’s a golden rule to use here.
Resumes should always be tailored to the job at hand. Using a “one size fits all” approach is a mistake. Hiring managers can be extremely discerning. If your application does not meet the criteria of the role at a glance, it is likely that they will discard it. To avoid that happening, you should always edit your document so that it best meets the demands of the vacancy at hand.
CVs should not be tailored. These are static documents that detail your academic achievements and accomplishments in reverse chronological order. The only time that you should adapt your CV is when you are adding to it. For example, if you have recently completed a course, a position, or a degree, you will need to include this in a list-like format on your professional CV.
7. The sections that you include
CVs and resumes include a wealth of the same information. However, there are some rather major differences that you need to know about. Deciding which sections to include when you are applying for jobs or positions is one of the most important choices that you will make.
Resumes include a header, summary, work experience, education section, and a skills section. While there may be some variety here — depending on the exact format that you use — these are the core elements that you can expect here. Learn more about what you should write in each section within our comprehensive resume writing guide now.
CVs tend to include different sections. You should outline a full breakdown of your academic history, any publications you have been featured in, research papers, teaching experience, and professional memberships. You may also want to include any honors and presentations here.
8. Your personal information
When it comes to your personal information, how much detail you go into will depend on whether you have a CV or a resume. You need to make sure that you get this aspect of the application process right since you don’t want to run into any problems.
If you are writing a resume, you should include the basics in your header. That is your full name, the job position, your location, your phone number, and your email address. However, you need to leave out your marital status, social security number, and age.
CVs require you to include different information. In this case, you can include your date of birth, nationality, and marital status, among other details. You should also list your contact information so that the reader can get in touch with you quickly and easily.
9. Whether you add a headshot
Thinking of adding a headshot to your resume? If so, you need to consider what it will bring to the table. You should be careful when it comes to slapping a photo onto this document without fully thinking it through. Also, it depends on what type of document you are creating here.
Resumes can have headshots but they don’t tend to. If you are thinking about including a photo of yourself, consider whether this is relevant to the job for which you are applying. For example, if you’re going for a job as an actor or a model, your looks will play a central role in whether you land the gig. However, if you are looking for a position in HR, you won’t typically use a headshot.
CVs are academic documents and, as such, they never include headshots. You will often find these documents are much more laden with information than a standard resume.
10. Bonus: Your geographic location
Did you know that there are two types of CVs? Here in the US, a CV and a resume are two different documents. However, in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and some parts of Europe, people tend to refer to resumes as CVs. This can make it quite confusing at times.
If you are applying for a job in another country, it’s important to align your application with the standard expectations. That way, your resume — or, indeed, CV — will not stand out for all of the wrong reasons. While this can be tricky, it’s important to do your research ahead of time.
Final words
By this point, you should have a good idea of whether you need to write a CV vs. a resume. The easiest way to make this decision is to consider what type of position you are going for. If you are applying in the US and you’re going for a traditional job, you will use a resume. If you are applying for an academic role or a job in another country, you may need to use a CV instead.
Need help when it comes to writing your next resume? If you want to make sure that you are hitting the mark, use our free resume checker tool now. With our expert-backed feedback, you can take your resume to the next level and get hired faster than ever.
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Written by
Charlotte Grainger, Editor & Content Writer, Charlotte Grainger, Editor & Content Writer
Charlotte Grainger is a freelance writer living and working in Sheffield, UK. She has a passion for career development and loves sharing tips and advice. Follow her on Twitter
