CV vs. Resume — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 3, 2023
A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a detailed, often multiple-page document highlighting educational and academic pursuits, while a Resume is a brief, 1-2 page summary of skills, experience, and education.
Difference Between CV and Resume
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The differentiation between a CV and a Resume primarily hinges on length and depth of detail. The CV, derivative from the Latin phrase "Curriculum Vitae," translates to "course of life," which in essence provides an exhaustive detailing of academic backgrounds, research, publications, and other educational details. In contrast, a Resume, stemming from the French word résumé, meaning "summary," is succinct, strategically highlighting skills, experiences, and education most pertinent to the desired role.
Navigating deeper, the CV stands as a thorough record, not merely encapsulating employment history and education but extending into realms like awards, publications, conferences attended, and detailed projects. The Resume, however, crafts a concise snapshot, elevating only the most relevant qualifications and experiences, tailored neatly to align with the specific job application and its inherent requirements.
The geographical context also nuances the distinction between a CV and a Resume. In the United States, the CV is predominantly utilized for applications within academia, research, and positions demanding comprehensive details of educational and academic pursuits. Conversely, the Resume is the standard document for general job applications in the United States, leaning into brevity and strategic highlighting of qualifications.
Furthering this, the CV doesn’t adhere strictly to length constraints, enabling the inclusion of extensive information to showcase the depth and breadth of one’s academic and professional journey. On the other side of the spectrum, the Resume necessitates brevity, typically spanning only one to two pages, thereby requiring strategic selection and prioritization of content to create impactful, relevant presentations.
When discussing format and customization, the CV often maintains a consistent format, relatively unchanged, and detailed, providing a comprehensive history devoid of particular tailoring for specific applications. In juxtaposition, the Resume champions customization, enabling the applicant to meticulously tailor content, highlighting experiences and skills which resonate profoundly with the job description and requisites, thereby illustrating alignment and fitment with the role.
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Comparison Chart
Length
Generally longer, often exceeding two pages
Typically concise, 1-2 pages
Detail
Provides exhaustive detail on academic and professional history
Prioritizes brevity and relevance to the job applied
Customization for Job Application
Often remains consistent across applications
Highly customizable per application
Usage
Predominantly for academic, research, and scholarly applications
Standard for most job applications
Geographic Preference
More common in Europe and Asia
Widely preferred in the United States
Compare with Definitions
Cv
An in-depth document highlighting academic pursuits.
Her CV includes numerous publications and conferences.
Resume
Extends to a maximum of two pages in length.
Ensure your resume succinctly fits within one page.
Cv
Includes sections like publications, conferences, and research.
She updated her CV to include her latest research findings.
Resume
Focuses on relevance to the targeted job position.
The resume emphasized her project management skills.
Cv
Contains detailed educational and professional histories.
The CV details his extensive list of certifications.
Resume
A brief summary of skills, experiences, and education.
His resume effectively highlights his managerial skills.
Cv
Utilized predominantly for academic applications.
Submit your CV for the faculty position.
Resume
Structured with sections like experience, skills, and education.
He organized his resume to spotlight relevant experiences first.
Cv
Often retains a consistent format for various applications.
He sent out his standard CV to multiple universities.
Resume
Begin again or continue after a pause or interruption
A day later normal service was resumed
The talks resumed in April
Cv
A brief account of a person's education, qualifications, and previous occupations, typically sent with a job application
If you feel that you have these skills then please send us your CV
Resume
A summary
I gave him a quick résumé of events
Cv
Same as curriculum vitae; - a commonly used initialism.
Resume
Another term for curriculum vitae
Cv
A summary of your academic and work history
Resume
A brief account of one's professional or work experience and qualifications, often submitted with an employment application.
Cv
Being five more than one hundred
Resume
A summary
A résumé of the facts of the case.
Resume
To begin or take up again after interruption
Resumed our dinner.
Resume
To assume, take, or occupy again
The dog resumed its post by the door.
Resume
To take on or take back again
Resumed my original name.
Resume
To begin again or continue after interruption.
Resume
To take back possession of (something).
Resume
To summarise.
Resume
(transitive) To start (something) again that has been stopped or paused from the point at which it was stopped or paused; continue, carry on.
We will resume this discussion tomorrow at nine.
Resume
(intransitive) To start again after an interruption or pause.
Normal service has resumed.
Resume
A summary or synopsis.
Resume
A summary or account of education and employment experiences and qualifications; a curriculum vitae (often for presentation to a potential future employer when applying for a job).
Resume
A summing up; a condensed statement; an abridgment or brief recapitulation.
The exellent little résumé thereof in Dr. Landsborough's book.
Resume
To take back.
The sun, like this, from which our sight we have,Gazed on too long, resumes the light he gave.
Perhaps God will resume the blessing he has bestowed ere he attains the age of manhood.
Resume
To enter upon, or take up again.
Reason resumed her place, and Passion fled.
Resume
To begin again; to recommence, as something which has been interrupted; as, to resume an argument or discourse.
Resume
Short descriptive summary (of events)
Resume
A summary of your academic and work history
Resume
Take up or begin anew;
We resumed the negotiations
Resume
Return to a previous location or condition;
The painting resumed its old condition when we restored it
Resume
Assume anew;
Resume a title
Resume an office
Resume one's duties
Resume
Give a summary (of);
He summed up his results
I will now summarize
Resume
Typically custom-tailored for each job application.
She tailored her resume for the marketing position.
Common Curiosities
What does CV stand for?
CV stands for "Curriculum Vitae."
Should a CV contain detailed academic records?
Yes, CVs usually detail academic achievements, research, and publications.
Does a CV require customization for different job applications?
CVs often remain consistent, whereas resumes are tailored per application.
Can a Resume be used for academic applications?
Typically, a CV is preferred for academic and research-oriented roles.
Should a CV include work experience?
Yes, along with detailed academic records and achievements.
What is the typical length of a Resume?
Generally, resumes are 1-2 pages in length.
Is a Resume suitable for job applications outside the USA?
Varies by country; some prefer resumes, others prefer CVs.
Can a CV be multiple pages long?
Yes, CVs are often longer due to detailed content.
Is a Resume generally shorter than a CV?
Yes, resumes are typically shorter, focusing on relevant experiences.
Is it necessary to have a Resume for job applications?
In many cases, yes. Resumes provide a brief overview of your qualifications.
How frequently should a Resume be updated?
Regularly, ensuring it always reflects the most current experiences and skills.
Should references be included in a CV?
Typically yes, especially for academic and research positions.
Can hobbies be included in a Resume?
Yes, if they’re relevant or showcase transferable skills.
Should a CV include a list of publications?
Yes, especially when applying for research or academic positions.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
