Surely, you have heard the words 'CV' and 'Resume'. Perhaps even heard them used interchangeably in certain situations. However, CV and Resume could mean different things and are not necessarily interchangeable.
So, what exactly makes a CV different from a resume?
The primary differences between a CV and a resume are length, function, and the type of information included but first, let's get into some details about a CV and a resume separately.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
A curriculum vitae (CV) is a detailed document typically two or three pages long that typically contains a person's professional history, work experiences, achievements and awards, research projects, publications, academic records, earned scholarships/grants etc.
A typical CV contains several sections including:
Other sections that could be found in a CV are Professional associations, licenses and certificates, volunteer work, personal information, and hobbies/ interests.
Resume
A resume -originating from the French word résumé which means summary- is an overview or document of an applicant's experience and qualifications. As the meaning implies, it is a document that sums up your career history, skills, and education concisely. It is typically written in three formats:
This kind is most commonly used and a great choice in many situations. It highlights your most recent jobs and your career accomplishments making sure they get the most attention.
This resume puts more focus on the applicant's skills rather than work experiences. It is most suitable for people seeking to change their career path.
As the name suggests, it is a combination of the reverse-chronological format and the functional resume. Applicants highlight their skills, then proceed to highlight the most relevant professional experiences. It is the most flexible kind.
A resume typically includes:
Seeing as the resume is a summary of an applicant's skills and experience, personal details like home address, age, relationship status, or religion are omitted. The previous jobs of the applicant that are not directly relevant to the job position in question are left out. Additional details like salary expectations, hobbies/ interests, and references may also be left out.
Now that you have a clear understanding of what a CV and a resume are, let's discuss the differences between both.
Differences between a CV and a resume
This is the most obvious difference between a CV and a resume. While a resume is concise and brief, a CV is more detailed and not necessarily brief. Depending on the applicant's experience, it is about 2-3 pages long whereas a resume is usually a page long.
A CV is widely used for applying to top-level jobs or academic purposes like an application for a research program or a PhD. On the other hand, a resume is usually sent for mid-level jobs.
Usually, a CV would be written in an order that demonstrates the applicant's entire career whereas the information included in a resume can be crafted and arranged in a way that best suits the applicant. Some have even referred to a CV as an "academic diary" due to all the academic qualifications and achievements usually included therein. On the other hand, a resume focuses more on professional achievements and targeted skills rather than academic history.
Different countries around the world have preferred documents for receiving job applications. In the United States and Canada for example, a resume is the preferred application document. Many Canadians and Americans only use a CV to apply for jobs outside their country. They may also use CVs when seeking academic or research-oriented jobs. In Ireland, Germany, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, a resume is practically never used. A CV is used in most situations. In other countries like South Africa, Australia, and India, the documents CV and resume may mean the same thing and are commonly used interchangeably.
