CV vs Resume: What’s the difference?

CV vs Resume: Which One Should You Use When Applying for a Job? If you spend enough time job searching, you’ll likely see some postings that ask for a curriculum vitae (CV), not a resume. resume,

You might be wondering what is the difference between the two. Since both resume and CV serve as documents that help candidates land a new job, it is easy to confuse them.

To help you differentiate between the two and choose the appropriate document for your job application, here’s what you need to know about CV vs Resume.

What is CV vs Resume?

cv vs resume difference

cv vs resume format

cv vs resume example

What is CV vs Resume?

A CV provides a complete history of your academic credentials, career and qualifications. A resume A more concise document that focuses on your career, skills and abilities as they pertain to a specific position.

In regions such as Europe and Asia, a CV is similar to a resume, so be careful when applying for a job abroad. Now that you know what a CV and resume are, let us explore the differences between the two.

cv vs resume difference

A CV is more in-depth and longer than a resume because it gives a more complete summary of a candidate’s career. A resume is more of a “snapshot” of a candidate’s professional history and skills relevant to a potential employer.

As a result, CVs are often longer than resumes, which are usually only a page or two long.

CVs are commonly used in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. They are much less common in the US unless a candidate is applying for medical, law, science or academic jobs.

cv vs resume format

There are three basic resume formats that vary depending on the job seeker’s goals:

• Functional – Ideal for applicants who are early in their careers, changing careers, or have gaps in their resume.
• Chronological – Ideal for applicants with at least one year of stable work experience.
• Combination – Works best for candidates with more than 10 years of experience who want to showcase their skills and job history.

A CV does not have a standard format as the layout depends on the applicant’s industry and desired job. For example, a scientist’s CV would probably focus more on the candidate’s research and published work.

However, a legal cv Can highlight a candidate’s work history and skills acquired at previous law firms.

Furthermore, resumes usually have five sections – contact information, professional summary statement or objective, education, skills, and job history.

CVs will also need that information, but some will require more sections to comply with industry norms.

Here are the details of what to include in a CV:

• Your Contact Information
• Summary of your professional profile
• detailed work history
• Education
• vocational skills

Depending on the industry, you may also want to include other information such as:

• publications
• Prize
• Certificate and License
• volunteer work
• Dialect
• Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships
• teaching and lecturing experience
• Professional Associations and Memberships

cv vs resume example

Below is an example of a comprehensive CV of a graphic designer.

A graphic designer’s CV is two pages long and features the standard information expected in a typical resume. It also includes the applicant’s past clients, projects, awards, certifications and volunteer experience.

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The graphic designer resume below is similar to a CV, but is kept to one page and focuses only on the applicant’s work experience, skills, and education.

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CV should not be more than two pages long. Like resumes, length will vary based on your years of work experience, industry, and what the employer wants to know. However, it is common for a CV to go into more detail than a resume.

And regardless of length, including a cover letter with your resume or CV is strongly suggested.

A cover letter gives you the space to discuss career changes, gaps in your work history, and a more in-depth analysis of your awards and achievements.

Now that you know the difference between a resume and a CV, you can decide which one to use for your next job application.

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