Do you use the terms ‘CV’ and ‘resume’ interchangeably? You’re not alone. In many parts of the world, people often use these two terms to imply the same idea. And understandably so. Both are professional documents used to apply for jobs and highlight your skills and experience.
But, are CV and resume the same thing? Not really. There are various nuances that set them apart. So, before you step into your professional life and repeat this mistake, read this blog about curriculum vitae (CV) vs resume and learn the key differences.
Key takeaways:
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What is a curriculum vitae (CV)?
‘Curriculum vitae’ is a Latin word that translates to ‘course of life’. Much like its meaning, it covers the various key aspects of your life, such as your educational qualifications, professional experience, skills, etc.
However, the specifics of a CV vastly differ in the USA from the rest of the world:
| Country/Region | Meaning of CV | Length | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | Comprehensive document, similar to an academic portfolio | 3–10 pages | Used for academic positions |
| UK | Two types: academic CV (same as USA) or employment CV (short) | Academic: 3–10 pages; Employment: 1–2 pages | Academic CV for academic roles; Employment CV for non-academic jobs |
| India, Australia, South Africa | Equivalent to a resume | Usually 1–2 pages | Used for most job applications, though format/details may vary by region and job |
What is a resume?
The word ‘resume’ is an English adaptation of the French word ‘résumé’, meaning ‘summary’. As opposed to a CV, a resume is a brief account of your academic and professional history.
- In the USA, a resume is equivalent to an employment CV in the UK. It’s a short, 1-2 page-long document used to apply for non-academic, professional jobs.
In simple terms, the word “resume” is mostly used in the USA and Canada when applying for professional jobs. Outside North America, like in the UK, Europe, Australia, and India, employers usually ask for a CV instead, no matter what type of role it is.
What makes a good curriculum vitae (CV)?
Acing a full-blown academic CV can seem difficult, especially if it's your first time. So, here’s a detailed breakdown of its different elements and how you can effectively build them:
Format
A CV can be created in a PDF or a Word format. Unlike a resume, it’s usually much more detailed and can stretch to 10 or more pages.
That said, just because you can go on for 10 pages doesn’t mean you should. Hiring managers don’t usually have the time (or patience) to flip through page after page. These days, shorter, sharper CVs are more effective. Think 3–4 pages of job-relevant, easy-to-scan information. This approach works exceptionally well if you’re going for junior academic positions or internships.
As CV writing expert Lorraine McGuinness tells UCD Professional Academy:
‘If they (hiring managers) can’t quickly find what they are looking for, or have difficulty scanning through a 4-page document, the CV will not be considered.’
Structure
CVs are designed in reverse chronological order, i.e., your latest work experience or education comes first. This structure helps employers quickly assess your career progression.
Layout
CVs are lengthy. So, use clear headings, bullets, and proper spacing to make the information reader-friendly. Keep margins balanced and consistent throughout.
Content
The most essential part of any CV, the content section should start with your personal details, followed by a quick summary. Next, list your educational information, employment history, and skills. You should also include details of your licenses and certifications, fellowships, research experience, dissertations, publications, awards, achievements, etc.
Tone and style
A CV is typically meant for academic job applications. So, use clean and formal formatting (font style, size, colour, graphics, etc.) to create this document. As for the tone, keep it professional and formal.
What makes a good resume?
Though brief and concise, a resume must be well put together to make an impact. Here’s how you can do it:
Format
Just like a CV, a resume can be made in a PDF or a Word format. The difference? It should never be longer than two pages (one is even better if you’re early in your career).
Now, it may seem like a tricky thing to do, especially if you have years of accumulated professional experience. But it’s simple: only focus on adding the skills or achievements directly relevant to the role you’re applying for.
Structure
Resumes are also structured in reverse chronological order. So, list all your recent work and educational experiences at the top.
Layout
Similar to a CV, your aim should be to make your resume skimmable for hiring managers. So, arrange the details in bullet points, keep the spacing consistent, and give clear headings.
Content
The content section of a resume contains more or less the same thing as a CV. You start with your personal details, and follow suit with your background summary, work experience, education, and skills.
You don’t need to cram in awards, research, or extras unless they add value to the role. Instead, highlight relevant jobs, certifications, and skills (both hard and soft) that prove you fit.
In an interview with Harvard Business Review, the CEO of Founders and personal branding expert Kristi DePaul mentioned:
"I would take a hard look at what you’ve done, whether it’s internships, volunteer work. There are a lot of ways that you can position yourself as somebody who has more experience than you really think."
Tone and style
Resumes are used to apply for non-academic jobs. So, while a formal tone is encouraged, you can also keep it semi-casual (especially if applying for creative roles). That said, the formatting must always stay clean and professional, just like a CV.
Fun fact: Leonardo da Vinci, the creator of Mona Lisa, might have written one of the first resumes in history! |
When should you use a curriculum vitae (CV)?
You can use a CV (or an academic CV) when:
- Applying for an academic role, such as a researcher, a professor, or a similar position at any university or college.
- Applying for a medical role, such as a doctor, a lab scientist, or a similar position at any healthcare institution.
- Applying in countries where CVs are the standard, like the UK, India, South Africa, or parts of Europe.
When should you use a resume?
A resume (or an employment CV) is ideal when:
- Applying for a job in the public or private sector.
- Applying for a non-academic role, such as a software developer, a marketing manager, or a similar position in a company.
- Applying in countries where resumes are the standard, like the USA, Canada, or Australia.
Curriculum vitae (CV) vs resume: Key differences
Here’s a table that summarises all the key differences between a CV and a resume:
US CV/UK academic CV | US resume/UK employment CV | |
Purpose | Used to comprehensively highlight qualifications, experience, and skills for academic, research, or medical roles | Used to succinctly highlight qualifications, experience, and skills for non-academic roles |
Length | Ranges between 3-10 pages, depending on one’s experience and the role they’re applying for | Short, usually 1-2 pages |
Content | Includes detailed education, work experience, publications, research, teaching, awards, and grants | Includes a concise summary of one’s background, skills, experience, and achievements |
Tone | Formal, professional | Professional but slightly less formal |
Publications | Always included | Included only if relevant to the role |
Awards/affiliations | Always included | Included only if relevant to the role |
Update frequency | Updated regularly as career progresses | Tailored and updated for each job application |
Curriculum vitae (CV) and resume samples
Want to see what a good CV and resume look like? Check out these samples:
* Image of a proforma CV
* Image of a proforma resume
You can also find similar ready-to-use curriculum vitae (CV) and resume templates in Word, Google Docs, Canva, etc.
Did you know? According to a survey by Glassdoor, a single corporate job opening receives an average of 250 resumes! |
Pro tips for writing flawless CVs and resumes for your university admission
Whether you’re writing a CV or a resume, here are three basic tips that can come in handy:
- Avoid typos or grammatical errors: 77% of recruiters immediately discard CVs or resumes with spelling or grammatical mistakes. To avoid this, always proofread each line of your document before hitting ‘send’. Additionally, ensure you use the correct form of English for the region you’re applying to (American, British, Canadian, Indian, etc.).
- Keep the formatting simple: You may think flashy CVs or resumes grab attention. But all they really do is make you look unprofessional. So, always use simple graphics, fonts, and other elements. Also, be consistent with the font style, size, colouring, and spacing throughout the document.
- Use action verbs: To make your CV or resume stand out, use action verbs like ‘led’, ‘initiated’, ‘achieved’, etc. They show the direct impact of your contributions on the organisation. Brownie points if you quantify them. For example, ‘achieved a 20% growth in client acquisition within 6 months.’
Curriculum vitae (CV) vs resume: Which is better?
People often mix up CVs and resumes, thinking they are interchangeable. But they are actually quite different.
A CV goes deep into your academic and professional journey, while a resume keeps things short and relevant to the job. Neither is better than the other because they simply serve different purposes. At the end of the day, it is about knowing your goal and choosing the right document for it.
In this post, we’ve broken down the essentials of curriculum vitae (CV) vs resume. For more tips and insights on higher education, check out Studyportals!
