Resume and CV: Are these two different?

Although the phrases “resume” and “CV” are frequently used interchangeably, they are two distinct papers.

It’s critical to understand the significant differences and when each document should be submitted to a potential employer.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A RESUME AND A CV?

A CV and a resume are both intended to highlight who you are as a candidate and what you’ve accomplished thus far in your career. One main difference is the length.

CV LENGTH 

• A CV (curriculum vitae) is a detailed document that lays out your credentials, studies, and publications and is typically 2-5 pages long (or longer).
• A CV is required for academic or higher-education roles, scientific research fields, and medical professions. It is a Latin term that means “course of life.”

RESUME LENGTH

• A resume is a short document (usually 1-3 pages) that describes your qualifications, work experience, and professional achievements.
• The word resume or résumé means “summary” in French. In a nutshell, it’s your career (or at least the aspects that relate to the position you’re applying for).

Let’s discuss both resume and CV in a little detail.

A CV is typically submitted for academic positions and serves as a handy tool for screening committees to establish whether you have the necessary qualifications. As a result, you should offer a complete career history that includes your accomplishments, research, and education.

In terms of length, a 2-3 page CV is ideal for recent graduates, but it may be longer if you have years of experience. There are usually no length restrictions.

The information that you normally should include in a CV are:

1. Name
2. Contact Information
3. Education
4. Skills
5. Experience
6. Certifications
7. Languages
8. Association
9. Publications
10. Awards
11. Extra Training and Courses Conferences

A CV should be reviewed in the same order as a resume, from most relevant to least relevant information.

If you’re applying for grants, postdoctoral positions, fellowships, or teaching/research roles at universities, you’ll need a CV.

In the United States, most professional occupations require a résumé. It’s a short document that recruiters and hiring managers can use to see your previous work experience and present talents.

A resume, unlike a CV, should be between one and three pages long. Recruiters are looking for a glimpse of who you are professionally as well as the most pertinent facts for the job you’re applying for.

The following are the five most crucial sections to include on your resume (in the recommended order):

1. Contact info
2. Title and branding statement
3. Experience
4. Education
5. Skills

A resume, unlike a CV, is primarily skill-based and should provide evidence of your abilities under the “Experience” section. For example, if you want to show a sales business that you can lead a team of 10 sales reps to complete $800K in deals in Q3, you could say, “I led a team of 10 sales reps to close $800K in deals in Q3, exceeding quota by 35%.”

Make sure your CV is ATS-friendly and customised to maximise your chances of getting an interview.

International differences between the two are mentioned below

When applying for an overseas position, deciding whether to prepare a resume or a CV can be difficult. An international CV appears more like a North American resume with a focus on skills and experience, as opposed to a U.S. CV that highlights your academic career.

An international CV is usually required in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. These curriculum vitae may contain more personal information than a U.S. resume (e.g., an attached photograph, date of birth, nationality, and marital status), but they are formatted in the same way.

Just keep in mind that if you’re applying for an international position, you’ll most likely be asked to submit a CV that looks a lot like a resume from the United States.

Use a CV to apply for academic/research/medical employment and a resume for all other types of jobs, as a general rule. To apply for overseas jobs, create a CV that looks like a resume from the United States.

If a CV is particularly requested in a non-academic or non-scientific job description in the United States, simply inquire with the hiring manager or recruiter. When in doubt, it never hurts to double-check.

If you are looking for more insights on the same, you may get in touch with professional resume writers.