The Difference Between a Resume vs a Curriculum Vitae (CV)

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It can be difficult to apply for a job the first time. You may have seen the terms resume and CV during your research. It is important to know the difference between a resume and a CV in order to present yourself as a strong candidate for a job application in the US or anywhere else around the world.

The definitions of a resume and curriculum vitae, the distinctions between the two, when to use each, employer and country preferences, and much more may be found by continuing to read this article.

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What is a CV?

CV stands for Curriculum Vitae. It means “the course of your entire life”.

A CV is a detailed document that details your career path step-by-step. It also includes all of your personal information. The CV can be viewed as a detailed description of your career, including all achievements and publications.

Every time you achieve something new in academic or professional settings, your CV should be updated. This applies to any job change, publication, certificate, or another professional achievement.

There is no standard length for a CV. It can vary depending on experience and ranges between 2-8 pages.

CV Format

  • Full name
  • Contact information
  • A resume objective, summary, and professional title
  • Research interests
  • Education
  • Publications (both academic papers as well as books)
  • Experience in teaching or lecturing
  • Work experience
  • Courses and conferences
  • Skills
  • Certificates
  • Languages
  • Fellowships Grants
  • Refer to

What is a resume?

A résumé is a brief, to-the-point document made with the intention of applying for a particular job.

A resume should be kept as brief as possible, unlike a CV. Your resume should be no more than one page in 99 percent of cases. You can extend your resume to 2 pages if you have more than 15 years of experience or if you feel that additional information can be helpful in your application.

Your resume should only include the relevant skills and work experience that you have. A well-written resume will highlight the contributions you’ve made to your past work and show how you can use your skills for the job you are applying for.

A cover letter is required to accompany a resume. It should state your intention to apply for the job. The cover letter expands on the skills and experiences you have mentioned in your resume and explains how they will help you succeed at the job that you are applying for.

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Resume Format

  • Full name
  • Your job title or the name of your position
  • Contact information
  • Summary of resume or objective
  • Work experience
  • Education
  • Relevant skills
  • Languages and proficiency
  • Relevant certifications or interests (if any).

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Resume vs. CV – What’s The Difference?

You now have an idea of what a CV is and what a resume is. Here is a list of every distinction between a resume and a curriculum vitae (CV).

Length – This is the most important difference between a resume and a CV. The resume is usually 1 page long and the CV can be up to 2 pages depending on how much experience you have.

Function– A CV is used primarily for academic purposes. This includes applying for a research grant, a Ph.D., or joining a university staff. A resume is for regular work in a company.

Type of experience/career- When applying for jobs in the public or private sectors, resumes are most commonly used. These positions are sometimes referred to as “industry roles” and are not related to academia. However, CVs are used to apply for academic positions, grants, fellowships, research, teaching, or other roles. If you are applying for or have recently graduated from a master’s/doctorate program or if your work is as a researcher or professor at an academic institution, you may have a CV.

Geographic location- A resume and a CV are two distinct types of documents in the United States. They can be used for different purposes. Employers in other parts of the world such as the UK and New Zealand use the term CV to refer to both resume-style and CV-style documents. They don’t use “resume” in any way. The terms resume and CV is frequently used interchangeably in South Africa, Australia, and India.

Types of information that you should include: The CV is an academic journal where you can list all your academic achievements, academic qualifications, and certifications. The CV is universal and can be easily updated. A resume must be customized for each job that you apply for. It focuses more on your professional accomplishments than it does academic achievements.

What’s the Difference Between U.S. & EU?

You should now be able to distinguish between the Resume and CV. This is where things get a little more complicated: the differences are generally only applicable in the United States.

The word CV is used in Europe as a synonym for the resume. If you are applying for a job in the EU and are asked for a CV by the job, it is important to understand that this actually refers to a resume.

CONCLUSION

It may be worth creating a CV if you have a resume, (or vice versa). The CV is a more detailed version than a resume, with some additional information. Creating one from the other shouldn’t take too much effort.

It is essential to have the correct document for your job application. Keeping both options available will help you be prepared regardless of the job posting.

You now know the differences between a resume and a CV. It’s up to you to choose which one best suits your needs and job search process. It can be hard to create a successful resume or CV the first time around, especially when you consider all of the requirements for each country. This article should have helped you understand the differences between resumes and CVs. Which would you choose? The resume or the CV?

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