CV or Resume are two similar yet very different documents that you need to understand in detail. Whenever you sneak out on any job postings, you might have gone through these terms. Some employers demand a CV (Curriculum Vitae) while others term it as a resume. Both of them have utilization in job applications and pertain to some small differences only. It is vital to understand ‘what’s the difference between CV and Resume’ to choose and use them in the right places.

While preparing the right document as per your job application, clarifying the distinctness between a resume and CV is crucial.

What does a CV mean?

The term CV is an abbreviation for the Latin word Curriculum vitae. It is also known as the ‘course of life’ by many people. It is a complete document that consists of information such as your career history, awards, key interests, special honors, educational qualification, academic projects, scholarships, publications, and research.

Other vital inclusions in a CV are coursework, research description, references, hobbies, and dissertations. It also includes data like your fieldwork study, personal profile, and other positive attributes. In general, a chronology of the CV begins with your educational experience and then gradually moves to your career and personal details.

What does a resume mean?

The next important document is a resume that gives a brief summary of skills, education, and career history. There is the complete information regarding the volunteer work or association with the professional entities in a resume. You can also find the objective statement that explains every bit of your professional goals. The word ‘Resume’ comes from the French word résumé, for which the translation is ‘Summary’ or ‘Abstract.’

Most people list down their professional experience through a resume in a specific order that reveals details relating to the recent or current job. The graduates with minimal or no information about the professional history can state any apprenticeships or internships. You can check out the sample of a resume to learn more about it so that employers can notice it.

Cv Vs. Resume- What is the Difference?

CV and Resume are two different documents and incorporate distinct details in each one of them. The length of these documents signifies your achievements and abilities to pertain to several job prospects. There are customize layout options for both, which states their differences quite clearly. Let’s read our below to know more about their differences.

  • Length- Most people prefer opting for a concise and crisp resume that includes an overview of all your crucial details. The average length of a resume sticks to 1-2 pages only. On the other hand, the size of a CV can be multiple pages. It might be due to the fact that CV consists of higher information as compared to the Resume. Hence, next time you look at the document’s length for the job application, it is easy to identify if it’s a resume or a CV.
  • Career type/ Experience– For the job aspirants seeking a role in academic roles, a CV is a good alternative. A detailed CV is essential if you are making an application for the doctoral or master’s program at any organization or institution. A resume is not a suitable choice when your focus is on any high- rated career or job opportunity.
  • Customizing ability- CV refers to a static document that is not much prone to alterations or other changes. While updating a CV, you can add any new details relating to your professional career, but that you need to keep them stagnant. The information might not deviate irrespective of the place where you are making applications. On the other hand, a resume can be tailored for highlighting some specific skills about the industry or the positions.
  • Geographical locations- The use of the term CV or Resume can also differ based on the location where you are using it. In various regions of the world like the U.K, New Zealand, and other parts of Europe, the word CV helps explain both the Resume and CV type documents. Here, the word ‘resume’ is totally out of use. In India, South Africa, and Australia, the terms CV and Resume can get used interchangeably.

Which is better to use?- Resume or CV!

Are you skeptical about which document to use for application from CV and Resume? You need to work on a list of questions to determine the most relevant document from both of them. Here are the things you need to consider for the same:

What type of job are you applying for?

When you are making an application for an academic job like an educator, researcher, or teaching assistant at a university or college, a CV is all you need. However, a few other postsecondary institutes adhere to strict guidelines about what should comprise a CV and what not. It is also advisable to keep a check on the school website to gather other essential details.

What is the basis of the company?

It mainly depends on the location of the company where you wish to make an application. CV refers to the normal Resume by some entities while others consider it a detailed document that consists of crucial information. To make a selection on which one to send first, you have to understand the job type.

For availing of the learned job positions like the research or academic ones, you might need a traditional CV. On the other hand, a standard resume is sufficient to apply in the U.S. Resume meets the application criteria to present a small and concise document.

Even if you are in a state of doubt, it is advisable to confirm the use of a CV or the Resume from an HR manager to get clarifications on it. CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a multi-page detailed document that states the chronology of your personal, educational and professional details. A resume is a brief gathering of all your awards, honors, and educational achievement. But when you are applying for the academics or research position, CV templates must be in your priority selection.

Final words

A resume and CV have some technical differences to wrap it up to learn to determine their actual differences. A CV refers to the detailed version of the Resume that consists of some other vital data and information. By compiling them together, you can prepare a perfect CV.

On the other hand, a resume is an excellent document for making the job application for the positions from the initial level. It is crucial to keep both these documents handy so that you can stay in sync with the job requests and application.