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CV vs. Resume - What is the Difference?

CV vs. Resume - What is the Difference?

The simplest explanation imaginable goes like this:


A classic job application form is a resume. It summarizes your experiences, duties and accomplishments at work.


A curriculum vitae (CV) is a document that provides more information about an individual than a resume. CVs are used when there is a lot more information that can’t be included in a resume, such as academic transcripts, awards, and publications. 


A resume focuses on your qualifications, while a CV focuses on your background.


How Do You Decide When to Use What?

You need to first find out if a potential employer requires a CV or a resume. Also, consider the job you are applying for. A CV is required if you are applying for a job as an educator, teaching assistant, researcher or other academic position at a college or university. You may need a CV to apply for a job at a postsecondary institution.


All of Europe, including the UK, Ireland and other European countries, uses the term CV to refer to a shorter, more targeted document that you use to apply for jobs. There is no "resume" in Europe.


Sometimes, resume and CV are used interchangeably in the United States and Canada. It is best to clarify your confusion and ask for clarification if you are unsure which type of document you should submit.


What should you include in a CV?

CV, which is Latin for "course", is a detailed document that describes your entire career. It’s a summary of your professional and educational history, publications, awards and honors among many others so it usually extends to two and three pages and can go up to 10+ pages if needed. 


These are the sections you should include in a CV:

  • Contact Information

  • Research Objective, Personal Profile or Personal Statement

  • Education

  • Faculty Appointments

  • Books

  • Book Chapters

  • Peer-Reviewed Publications

  • Other publications

  • Awards and Honours

  • Grants and fellowships

  • Conferences

  • Teaching Experience

  • Research Experience/Lab Experience/Graduate Fieldwork

  • Activities that are not academic

  • Languages and Skills

  • Memberships


What should you include in a Resume?

A resume (or "to sum up" in French) is a concise, succinct document that is used to apply for jobs in the US or Canada. It provides recruiters with a quick overview of the candidate's past work experience. A resume that is targeted for a job should ideally only be one page in length.


These are the sections you should include in a Resume:

  • Contact Information, including the Job Title

  • Resume Summary or Resume Objective

  • Work Experience

  • Education

  • Skills

  • Additional Sections: Awards, Courses, Licenses and Certifications, Interests


The next time you want to impress hiring managers and showcase your skills as a competent candidate, begin by selecting the apt resume template and reaching out to HiCounselor for a second opinion on how to create the perfect resume. 


Click and find out the essential differences between Resumes for Freshers and Resumes for Experienced Professionals 


HiCounselor has forged technical advances to transform the hiring landscape for job seekers and recruiters alike. Our career accelerator program provides job seekers with coaching and mentorship from industry leaders employed at FAANG companies while recruiters ally with HiCounselor to empower their hiring strategy and hone in on the best candidates. Learn more about HiCounselor here and reach out to us on LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.