The Difference Between a Resume and a CV

If you are looking for a job, you must have noticed that sometimes recruiters ask for a resume, sometimes a CV. Online resume service can help you with both documents. But first of all, you should know that resume and CV are similar, but they are not the same thing. Both documents summarize and synthesize your experience, education, and ability, but they are different. We will dot all the “I” s and still figure out the difference between a CV and a resume.

Resume vs. CV: is a CV and Resume the Same?

How is a CV different from a resume? The difference between resume and CV is primarily length. Indeed, the CV will be much longer than the resume. That is because the CV contains a lot more information. Curriculum Vitae details your entire career, from education to professional experience, including your publications, research work, and skills.

The resume is much more concise. It also allows you to trace your past, but with only the most crucial information mentioned, most often concerning the position you are applying for. Thus, you can use both CV and resume when looking for a job, but they do not have the same structure, and you should write them in different ways.

What is a Curriculum Vitae?

First, you need to figure out what CV means. CV or curriculum vitae translates from Latin as a course of life. With this document, you will provide a detailed overview of your professional career.

In comparison to a resume, a CV includes a lot of information that the job hunter points out, along with examples of their accomplishments. CV is commonly used in the US and Canada for academic and research positions. Here are three key points to keep in mind about this document:

1. The CV is static: the applicant does not adapt the CV in several ways, which is inherent in the CV. Thus, the framework used remains the same. However, if the publications are irrelevant or posted in a non-scientific journal, they should not be listed. At the same time, it is also allowed if the applicant raises more relevant information for a specific position.
2. A CV tracks your career: it is a comprehensive document informing a potential employer about your entire career.
3. Curriculum vitae are used for academic positions: candidates who wish to work in academic, science, and research areas are requested to send curriculum vitae.

Suppose you are interested in any of these areas. In that case, you should enrich your CV with academic publications, conferences you have attended, or any other element that demonstrates your involvement in the area in which you practice. It’s like a portfolio of your accomplishments.

Hence, you will need to update it every time you do something that enriches this portfolio. It will ensure that your document is complete to inform your prospective employer as best as possible about your career and plans. You will also need to mention any non-professional activities or internships held to write an effective CV.

In case you are having difficulty writing this document, get your CV professionally written by ResumeEdge writers.

What to Add to CV?

A CV should contain the following sections: Personal Information, Work Experience, Education, Summary, Publications, and awards. Nevertheless, there are many nuances in the structure of a CV. Earlier we shared some helpful information on how to write an academic CV. That article may come in handy if you are interested in creating a structured and successful SV.

What is a Resume?

A resume is a concise alternative to a biography. It is a document that should be concise and provide a brief overview of your bio and profile for recruiters. Here are three things to keep in mind to write this document correctly:

1. A resume is a flexible document: it needs to be tailored to each job offer for your application to be more effective and have a greater impact on grabbing the attention of recruiters.
2. Keep your resume short: try to make your resume a page or two. Remember, this is a document to show that you are suitable for the job and have the right profile. Focus on being specific and making short, concise sentences using bulleted lists for the best results.
3. A resume is used for non-academic positions: It is a tool you can use for any job that interests you, as long as you are not aiming for an academic career. Indeed, these vacancies require a much more detailed application form which is not suitable for most vacancies.

It seems that writing a resume is much easier, but this document can also cause problems. If you want to be confident in your resume, you can write a resume with one of the professional ResumeEdge writers.

Related: Why Do You Need a Great Resume?

CV and Resume Difference

Your resume should fit perfectly on one page. Of course, if you have years of experience, two pages are also acceptable.

Unlike a CV, which is a comprehensive document about your career in an academic setting, a resume must be tailored to the job offer you are targeting. In other words, this document should demonstrate the correspondence between your profile and the tasks you need to do.

Therefore, if you are writing a resume, the information provided does not need to be integrated chronologically. The structure of your resume can be different, which can be helpful to better adapt to the proposal and your bio.

The CV, in turn, should be longer and more detailed. It can and should describe in more detail your professional experience and your academic education. Recruiters generally prefer resumes for academic positions.

CV or Resume in the USA: When to Choose This or That?

Typically, employers indicate in their job advertisements that they prefer a particular document. However, recruiters are more likely to expect a resume from you, especially if it’s a non-academic position. In the United States, curriculum vitae are usually reserved for research or academic posts only. To avoid mistakes, find out in advance what document you need to send.

ResumeEdge will help you do your best. Whether it’s a CV or resume, ResumeEdge writers can help you make your way to the top candidates for the job.