What is the Difference Between Resume and CV

The main difference between resume and CV is that a resume provides a concise overview of skills and qualifications for a specific position, whereas a CV provides a full history of academic and professional credentials.

Resumes and CVs are essential documents when you are applying for a job. Although we sometimes use these two words interchangeably, there is a distinct difference between a resume and a CV.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Resume 
     – Definition, Features, Sections 
2. What is a CV
     – Definition, Features, Sections 
3. Difference Between Resume and CV
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

CV, Resume

What is a Resume

A resume or résumé is a concise document a job applicant uses to summarize his or her educational background, work experience, and special skills. In fact, the word resume comes from the French word résumé, which means summary or abstract. Most modern resumes consist of only one or two pages. Furthermore, people mostly use resumes in professional contexts. In the modern job market, job applicants use creative resumes with attractive formats. There are different types of resumes, including chronological resumes (start with an introduction and then include an overview of professional history in reverse-chronological order), functional resumes (focus on skills), and combination resumes (combine the features of chronological and functional resumes). Resumes are sent along with cover letters.

Sections in a Resume

The information you should include in a resume depends on the job you are applying for. But generally, a resume contains the following sections.

1. Contact Details – The job applicant’s first and last name, email address, mailing address, and phone number. It can also include details like LinkedIn account and portfolio links.
2. Introduction – This can be in the form of a professional summary, resume objective, or resume summary and includes a brief overview of the main qualifications and professional background of the applicant.
3. Education – Basic details about education like names of the colleges, degrees earned, etc.
4. Experience – The title, the company, years worked, and a brief list of key responsibilities and notable achievements.
5. Skills – Skills and other qualifications the applicant possesses relevant to the job position.

What is CV

A CV is a detailed document highlighting a person’s professional and academic history. The word CV is the shortened form for curriculum vitae, which is a Latin phrase meaning ‘course of life.’ A CV generally includes information about education (including achievements and awards, scholarships or grants, publications, coursework, research projects, etc.) and work experience.

A CV is very similar to a resume, so in some regions like India and Australia, people use these two words interchangeably. However, in the United States and most parts of Europe, the CV and resume refer to two distinct documents. In this context, CVs are longer and more detailed. They traditionally focus on academic work and research. In fact, you are required to submit CVs for fields like academia, research, and education. Moreover, in academia, a CV can have many pages with information on research studies and publications.

Sections in a CV

A CV can include sections with the following information.

• Contact information
• Academic history
• Qualifications and skills
• Publications
• Awards and honors
• Grants and fellowships
• Professional experience
• Professional associations
• Licenses and certificates

Difference Between Resume and CV

Definition

A resume is a concise document that summarizes a job applicant’s educational background, work experience, and special skills, while a CV is a detailed document highlighting a person’s professional and academic history.

Nature

A resume provides a concise overview of skills and qualifications for a specific position, whereas a CV provides a full history of academic and professional credentials.

Length

While a resume has one or two pages, a CV has multiple pages.

Purpose

Resumes are mainly used to apply for jobs, whereas CVs are used for academic purposes.

Conclusion

The main difference between resume and CV is that a resume provides a concise overview of skills and qualifications for a specific position, whereas a CV provides a full history of academic and professional credentials. Moreover, a CV is typically longer than a resume. 

Reference:

1. “What is a CV?” Indeed.
2. “What is a Resume?” Resume Genius.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Curriculum Vitae of Gabor B. Racz” By Paula Brashear (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Resumé Template” via Canva