Cv Vs Resume: Key Differences And When To Use Which
Whether you’re in school or looking to get a new job, you need the right job application documents. If you haven’t already, you should compare a CV vs. a resume. While both can be useful, you may need one over the other.
What is a CV or resume? Both are documents that cover your education and work experience. Using one can help you get a job in your field or obtain a higher degree.
Read on to learn the differences between them and which one you should use.
What Is A Cv A Closer Look
A CV is a document providing an overview of your academic career and professional history, including your publications, conferences, teaching experience, educational history, dissertations, and more.
Short for curriculum vitæ, which means course of life in Latin, an academic CV is generally used to apply for grad school, PhD program, or positions in academia. Additionally, theres no limit to how long a CV can be, and in some cases they can stretch more than 10 pages in length.
However, for Europeans, a CV follows the same structure as the American resume. So if youre applying for jobs in Europe, you can use your resume and simply rename name your file CV.
The crossover between CV and resume is also why most CV templates and resume templates you find online look roughly the same. Theyre often both one to two-page documents used to apply for jobs.
CV example
This academic CV was written by G. Richard Scott, a Professor of Physical Anthropology at the University of Nevada .
Dr. Scott has been part of the American university system for over 40 years, so his CV dates back to the 1970s. Its 24-pages long.
What’s The Difference Between A Cv And Resume
March 20, 2022 | By Conrad Benz| Reviewed by Geoffrey Scott, CPRW
CVs and resumes are both professional documents that can get you interviews, yet theyre not entirely the same. Well explain the differences between a CV and a resume so you can decide which one is best for your job application.
The main differences between a CV and a resume are their scope, purpose, and length.
A resume is a concise one- to two-page document that outlines your professional qualifications and skills. The goal of a resume, just like a cover letter, is to land you a specific job.
A CV, on the other hand, is a multipage document that provides a full historyof your academic credentials. Typically, the purpose of a CV is to get you a position in academia or research.
However, a CV means the same thing as resume in many parts of the world. For instance, if youre from Europe, youd refer to the document you use to apply for jobs as CV.
Heres a summarized look at how CVs and resumes are different:
Still not clear on the biggest differences between a CV and a resume? No problem, well explore them further in the following sections.
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What Does A Resume Look Like
How long should a resume be?
A resume is usually one page long and typically does not exceed two pages. Resumes should be concise to show your competency while allowing hiring managers to skim through them quickly.
How to format a resume?
There are 3 major resume formats adopted by most applicants, and each accentuates different aspects of a candidate.
- Reverse-Chronological format
- Combinational format
What is the best font for a resume?
The best fonts for a resume, similar to that of the best font for CV layout design, are the classics. Going for iconic fonts does not mean being banal. Conveying your experience and skills explicitly is the highest principle.
What Does Cv Mean
Simply put, CV is an abbreviation of Curriculum Vitae . However, the CVmeaning is different depending on where you are in the world.
What does CV mean? In the UK, a CV is the document you send to an employer when you apply for a job. In the US, this type of document is called a resume .
To make things more confusing, the word CV is used in the US but the meaning of curriculum vitae is a little different. In America, a CV is similar to a resume but its longer and only used in the fields of academia and medicine. A CV lists the applicants achievements, publications, qualifications but in much more detail than a resume.
In sum, the word resume in US English and the term CV in British English mean the same thing. CV refers to a longer, more detailed document in US English. And the word resume is not typically used in the UK. The term you should use depends on where you are applying for a job.
Regardless of what you call it, a resume or CV is the most powerful tool you have when searching for a job. Using an online resume creator is a time-effective way of producing professional-looking results.
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Let The Professionals Lend You A Hand
Knowing the difference between a CV and a resume is a lot easier than knowing how to write either of themand employers will surely be judging you on this. Want to bypass all that stress? Call on the certified resume writers at Monsters Resume Writing Service. Whether you need a CV or a resume, our experts will custom create a professional, polished draft that is the proper length, has all the correct sections, and is geared toward your skillset and industry. Get started today.
What Is A Rsum
A résumé is a brief written account of personal, educational, and professional qualifications and experience, as that prepared by an applicant for a job. Its pronounced as opposed to how resume is pronounced .
One could submit their résumé when applying for a graduate school program, for example, or do some extra volunteer work to add to their résumé. Our article on how to write a résumé has the tips and tricks you need, just be sure to use our Grammar Coach to make sure you dont mix up resume and résumé before sending it in.
The word résumé was first recorded in 17951805 and originally meant a summary. The English résumé comes directly from the past participle of the French verb resumer, which means to sum up. In French, résumé literally translates to something that has been summed up. The English meaning isnt all that different when you consider a résumé is just a summary of a persons education and work experience.
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When And Where To Use A Cv
The first indication of when you should use a CV will be in the job posting. An employershould list the materials required for your application. However, this may not always be explicit, in which case your best course of action is to contact the employer directly to ask which documents you should submit.
Generally speaking, a CV is the preferred document for job applications in Europe. However, the use of a CV is not limited by geography alone. For example, even in North America, there are certain circumstances where a CV is needed. Many jobs in the public service or academia will require a detailed CV to be submitted as part of a job application.
A CV should also be used when you are trying to change your career and are applying in a different field/industry where you do not have previous work experience.
Cv Or Resume: When To Use Which
Knowing what differentiates a CV from a resume is a great start. However, you may still struggle to choose between a resume and a CV. Whether you have a resume or a CV, they each serve unique purposes in your career.
Consider a few situations where you may want to use a CV, resume, or something else. That way, you can increase your chances of getting the job.
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What Does A Good Cv Look Like In 2022
Whether you need a resume-type CV or a long-form list of all your academic achievements, you want a professionally designed document that looks as good as it sounds.
Appearances matter. Fonts and font sizes matter, as do , visual balance and an appropriate use of white space.
You should be able to glance at your resume/CV at arms length, without reading anything it says, and get a good visual impression just from looking at it. This requires an attractive layout and smart use of typography.
Some points to consider:
Cv Vs Resume: What’s The Difference
Most resumes in the United States are competency-based: they are personal marketing documents intended to showcase the candidates skills, notable achievements, and work experience to the greatest advantage.
U.S. curriculum vitae, submitted for jobs in academia, scientific research, and medical fields, are credential-based, providing a comprehensive listing of ones education, certifications, research experience, and professional affiliations and memberships.
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What Is A Resume
A resume is a short, straight-to-the-point, document created for the purpose of applying to a specific job.
Unlike the CV, you should try to keep a resume as short as possible. In 99% of the cases, youd want to keep your resume to 1-page max. If you have 15+ years of experience, or really believe that the extra information you can mention can add value to your application, you can make it 2 pages tops.
In a resume, you only mention the aspects of your work experience and skills that are relevant to the job youre applying for. A good resume highlights specific contributions you have made in your previous work and showcases how your different skills can be useful for the position you are applying to.
The resume is usually accompanied by the submission of a cover letter which states your intent for applying to the job. The cover letter builds upon the skills and experience you have touched upon in your resume, explaining how theyre going to help you excel at the job youre applying for.
Making a resume and continuously updating it can be a hassle. Want a modern-looking resume done in less than 5 minutes? Try our online resume builder. Its free, and you can select amongst 8+ templates.
Want to learn more about what you can mention in each of these sections? Check out our guide on what to put on a resume.
Curriculum Vitae Vs Resume: What Is The Difference Between A Cv And A Resume
A curriculum vitae is a massive document, and it gets longer as you get more work experience. On the other hand, a resume is shorter and can always change.
Whether you have a CV and a resume, or one or the other, you should know what each is. Then, you can understand the difference between a resume and a CV.
Fortunately, there are a few factors that distinguish the two documents.
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Match Your Resume Or Cv To The Position
Customizing your resume or CV to specific positions you want to apply for is key, as this allows you to highlight your most relevant skills that will help you perform well in the role, and youâll also stand out to employers.
Be sure to submit the specific requirements listed in the job description, as most offers will specify the exact documents and information you need in order to be considered as a candidate.
Resume Vs Cv: Comparison Table
Sometimes, it can help to have a visual comparison of a resume vs. a CV. Here’s a table to help you understand what sets the two documents apart.
While there are many differences between a CV and a resume, it’s important to know the most important ones. That way, you can decide when you should use which type of document.
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Resume/cv: When To Use Which
If youre based in the US or Canada:Use a CV only to apply for academic posts, graduate programs, fellowships, or grants.Eying a non-academic gig? Submit a resume and a cover letter.
Applying for a job in the UK, Ireland, another European country, or New Zealand?
Youll be asked to submit a CVbut bear in mind that its format is almost identical to the American resume format.
Make sure to check region-specific CV requirements: the devil is in the detail, and various job markets around the world might have their tiny peculiarities.
In Australia and South Africa
CV and resume are synonymous. Both refer to a short, targeted document centered around your most relevant qualifications.
Seeking a post in South Asia?
Youll most likely need to write a biodataa document similar to the US resume or the European CV but focused more on personal information.
Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.
Want to try a different look? Theres 18 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.
How Long Is A Resume
By contrast, a resume has fewer content sections, and the preferred length for recruiters is one page. Because of the short format, this means that you need to be selective about the content that is included, prioritizing information relevant to specific positions. Many people find this shorter format challenging.
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When And Where To Use A Resume
Again, your first step should be to look at the job posting to see if the employer is asking for a resume or CV. However, if you are applying for a job in North America, its more likely that the employer will want you to submit a resume. Of course, it is quite possible that you will also be asked for a resume in Europe, especially if you are applying with a multi-national.
Summary
- Curriculum Vitae : longer because it contains more detail relatively static written in chronological order more common in Europe.
- Resume: less detail included content is more dynamic and customized to job requirements reverse chronological order preferred choice of employers in Canada and the U.S.
- Avoiding confusion between resume and CV usage: Dont assume that because you are in a particular country or applying with a specific company that you are expected to use a certain document. Review the job application requirements provided by an employer. If its still unclear, contact the employer directly so you know if you should submit a resume, CV or both.
Less Is Not More With A Cv
While you do not want to bury a prospective employer in an avalanche of information about yourself, a CV is often at least five to ten pages in length. If you are a senior practitioner in your field, your Curriculum Vitae may well extend to 20 pages and beyond. This is so that you can list how extensively you have been published and include your many speaking engagements of a professional nature. Over time these things add up.
The overall impression that you want to get across is that your achievements are so vast, that your work history and/or credentials are so far-reaching, that you come off looking rock solid as a candidate for the positions you will be applying to.
Make certain that you read any instructions provided by employers in their job postings. When it comes to CVs, some employers are very specific about what they want you to include and how the information should be laid out. Follow the instructions then submit a stellar CV when appropriate and your next job may be closer than you think.
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Static Versus Dynamic Content
A resume should always be customized to the requirements of a specific job. The intention with a resume is to provide a snapshot of how your skills and experiences align with the employers needs. You need to be selective about content, which could mean omitting outdated work experiences or skills descriptions. Very rarely will you use the same resume to apply for two different positions.
Meanwhile, the contents of a CV are more static. Rather than altering the contents based on the position being applied for, your CV should evolve whenever you have a new experience or accomplishment to add. When applying for a job with a CV, you rely on your cover letter to highlight qualifications that are relevant to the position.
List Honors And Awards
Use this section to outline your achievements in the field related to your application. Start with the award name followed by the year it was awarded, the organization that gave you the award and details about the award such as how often the award is given, how many people receive it, etc.
For example:
UT Teaching Awards, 2018, 2019, 2020Brazil Study Abroad Grant, Summer 2017Dissertation Fellowship, 2016
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