CV vs. Resume: What’s the Difference and Which One You Need?

Knowing whether to submit a CV or a resume can make or break your job application. These two documents may seem similar, but they serve distinct purposes and can significantly impact how hiring managers perceive you.

By understanding the key differences and knowing when to use each, you’ll improve your chances of standing out in a competitive job market. This guide will cover what a CV and resume are, their unique features and how to determine which one you need to submit.

Submitting a long list of your professional history and academic qualifications in the form of a CV when the hiring manager is looking for a resume won’t work to your advantage.

At the same time, providing a resume when a recruiter is expecting a CV can make you appear unqualified, resulting in the recruiter moving on to the next candidate.

To help you overcome this common job search challenge, we will discuss distinctions between a CV and a resume, the content each document should include and how to determine which one you’ll need to provide.

What Is a CV?

​​The term CV stands for “Curriculum Vitae”, a Latin phrase that means “course of life”.

It is a detailed list of your academic career and employment history.

In the United States, CVs are primarily used in academic and research positions. When a hiring officer asks for a CV, they are seeking an in-depth document that outlines your academic achievements, including publications, research and presentations.

Below is an example of a CV:

What Does a CV Include?

A CV can be categorized into three sections: the core section, the optional section and supplementary documents.

• Core section: This includes personal details, educational background and professional associations.
• Optional section: This section may feature relevant skills, acquired languages or organizational memberships that enhance your candidacy. While this information is not mandatory, include it only if it aligns with the position you are applying for.
• Supplementary documents: Additional attachments that reinforce your qualifications, such as a statement of research, dissertation abstract, recommendation letters, cover letters or transcripts.

For example, a statement of research is a one-page document providing an overview of your research achievements, while a dissertation abstract is a one- to two-page summary highlighting key points of your work.

Core Section	Optional Section	Supplementary Documents
Applicant information	Skills	Dissertation abstract
Education	Acquired languages	Statement of research
Experience	Professional and academic hobbies	Cover letter
Publications	Professional references	Transcript of records
Presentations	Projects and activities you did in your organization
Awards/Honors/Fellowships
Professional Training
Professional Affiliations

How Long Should a CV Be?

Most employers prefer it to be limited to two pages. However, for individuals with extensive experience, it is common for a CV to extend further, providing a detailed account of their professional and academic accomplishments.

[Source: Keele University Research]
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What Is a Resume?

A resume is a brief overview of an individual’s relevant education, experiences, skills and qualifications tailored for potential employers. “Résumé” is a French word meaning “summary”.

Its primary purpose is to quickly communicate to employers why you are a strong fit for a job through a concise, easy-to-read format.

Below is an example of a resume.

What Does a Resume Include?

A typical resume format includes the following components:

• Contact Information: Ensure your contact details are accurate and up-to-date for employers to reach you easily.
• Professional Experience: A concise statement summarizing the candidate’s key qualifications and career objectives.
• Education: Details about the candidate’s educational background, including degrees earned, institutions attended and graduation dates.
• Work Experience: A comprehensive section highlighting the candidate’s relevant work history, typically organized in reverse chronological order.
• Skills: An enumeration of the candidate’s skills, including technical, soft and industry-specific competencies.

On average, individuals spend around 1 hour and 10 minutes completing a resume. This process involves tailoring each section to highlight relevant qualifications and experiences.

How Long Should a Resume Be?

Length preferences vary depending on the job position’s level or seniority. A survey revealed that 52% of hiring managers for staff-level roles prefer one-page resumes, while 44% prefer two pages and only 3% favor three pages.

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For executive-level positions, 7% liked one-page resumes, 61% preferred two pages and 31% favored three pages.

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Key Differences Between a CV and a Resume

While people often use these terms interchangeably, they differ in content, purpose and structure. Here’s how:

• Approach to job applications: A CV serves as a comprehensive document that can be used for multiple applications, while a resume requires customization to align with the job description.
• Emphasis: A CV offers a thorough overview of your academic and professional journey, showcasing degrees, research contributions and scholarly accomplishments. A resume, by contrast, focuses on highlighting the most relevant qualifications tailored to the specific job.
• Length: CVs are typically longer and provide a detailed account of one’s entire career. Resumes, especially for those early in their careers, tend to be concise, often limited to a page to capture an employer’s attention quickly.
• Purpose: CVs are primarily used for academic positions, fellowships and grants, while resumes are commonly used in business, non-profit and public sector roles.
• Design Layout: CVs tend to have a plain and simple format, whereas resumes offer more flexibility, especially in creative fields.

Preferred Initial Section of the Document

A CV typically begins with details about an individual’s education, while a resume leads with work experience.

CV or Resume: Which One To Submit?

The choice depends on the industry, region and job-specific requirements. Here’s a breakdown:

• Job-specific requirements: Certain specialized roles may require elements found in both a CV and a resume. When in doubt, seek clarification from the recruiter.
• By industry: For roles in the non-profit, private or public sectors, a resume is typically requested. In contrast, academic and medical positions often require a CV.
• By region: In the U.S. and Canada, resumes are standard. However, in European countries, New Zealand and parts of Australia, CVs are more common for job applications.

Knowing the difference between a CV and a resume is crucial when job hunting.  This understanding will help you make a stronger impression on potential employers and increase your chances of landing the job you want.

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Key Takeaways

Always customize resumes for each application, while CVs serve as a static record of your accomplishments.

CVs and resumes serve different purposes; a CV provides a comprehensive overview of one’s career, while a resume offers a targeted summary.

CVs are typically used for academic and research positions, while resumes are standard for roles in business and other sectors.

Tailoring your document to the specific job and region is crucial to maximizing your chances of success.