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Are you confused about sending an employer a Curriculum Vitae or a Resume? It’s understandable, as CV and resume are often used interchangeably. However, some key difference between CV and resume change their meaning and usage. So, to clear your doubt and this constant dilemma of whether to send a CV or resume for a job application. Let’s understand the difference between CV and Resume.
What is a CV?
A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a detailed document that outlines your entire career, including academic and professional achievements. It can range from a few pages to over ten and is typically used for academic roles, fellowships, and high-level positions like PhDs or research jobs. A CV includes contact info, education, work history, skills, publications, and more.
In contrast, a resume is a concise, one-page document tailored to a specific job, focusing on relevant skills and work experience. The key difference between CV and resume is that a CV provides a comprehensive career history, while a resume is a summary for a particular role. CVs are common in Europe and Canada, while resumes are standard in the U.S.
Types of CV
- Chronological CV: In this type of CV format, the candidate can list their work history with their recent job. If one has prior work experience, then this is an excellent CV to go for. It mainly highlights one’s skills and project experience chronologically.
- Functional CV: This emphasizes more on skills. This format focuses more on one’s skills and work experience than work history. It is a good idea to go for a functional CV if one doesn’t have much prior work experience, has gaps in one career, or wants to change careers.
- Combination CV: It is a combination of a chronological and a functional CV. It highlights one’s skills and provides a chronological work history.
What is Resume?
A resume is a concise, job-specific document that highlights your skills, experience, and achievements, typically limited to one page. It focuses on the key information employers need, such as work experience, education, and skills, to secure an interview.
The key difference between CV and resume is their scope. A resume is brief and tailored for a specific job, while a CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a detailed, comprehensive document that covers your entire career, including academic qualifications, research, and publications, often used for academic or high-level roles.
Types of Resume
- Chronological resume: The resume format lists one’s work experience in chronological order, starting with the most recent position. Besides, it is a usual format that many hiring managers prefer.
- Functional resume: It looks at the skills and experience of a person. A functional resume format is ideal for anyone who wants to change careers or has less work experience.
- Combined Resume: It is a mix of chronological and functional formats. It highlights one’s skills and experience before mentioning employment history chronologically.
- Targeted Resume: A targeted resume focuses on the qualifications and experience for a job opening. It requires more preparation as it is for one specific company.
Read about:
Learn How to Describe Yourself in Your Resume
Best Resume Format for Freshers with Samples
Difference Between CV and Resume
Now that you know what a CV and a Resume are, let’s understand how they are different. A comparative table shows the difference between CV and Resume.
|
Basis of Difference |
CV |
Resume |
|
Type of Document |
A CV is usually a descriptive document that includes details about the candidate, like academics, working history, achievements, etc. |
A resume is a summarised document including a candidate’s work history and experience details. |
|
Focus On |
It focuses more on a person’s academic growth. As most people applying for research positions need CVs, they require a CV focused on academics rather than skills. | The length makes a difference between cv and resume. A CV could be more than two pages long, depending upon one’s experience. |
|
Used To |
It is mainly used while applying for academic or research positions. |
It is used mainly to apply for corporate, non-profit, and government positions. |
|
Customization |
A CV is more general, and the information stays the same mostly. |
Candidates can make changes to a resume according to the job position they’re applying for. |
|
Information Included |
In a CV, a candidate must include all the information, publications lists, and education history. |
In a resume, one needs to include information only if it is relevant to the job you are applying for. |
|
Content Order |
A CV needs to be in chronological order. |
The resume does not need to be in chronological order |
|
Length |
Length makes a difference between cv and resume. A CV could be more than two pages long, depending upon one’s experience. |
Resume should be limited to a maximum of two pages. |
Difference Between CV and Resume With Example
Here is an explanation of the difference between CV and Resume with example. Use these examples as a guideline for your next job application.
Example for a CV
In a CV, one should also start with information like name, contact information, personal statement, professional experience, academic qualifications, skills, etc. It could also include certifications, language fluency, publications, awards or honors, and volunteer work.
Riya Sharma
YZ, Nehru Colony, New Delhi (Add the link to Twitter/Blog/Portfolio)
84758xxxxx | riya.kumari@gmail.com
Objective: Getting admitted to a premier institution for research work. It will help me attain the experience I would require for further education.
Education
1. Bachelor’s in Business Management | Amity University| 2015-2018 GPA: 8.9
2. Master’s in Business Administration | IMM Ahmedabad | 2020-2022 GPA: 8.0
Certifications and Awards
1. I have completed a certification course in Human Resources from IIT, Bombay. I also worked as a research intern at the same institution for 3 months.
2. Awarded a medal and a certificate for passing with distinction in my Bachelor’s course.
3. I have participated in inter-college competitions for debates and have won various awards for my college.
Experience
Human Resource Manager | Cognizant | 2018-2020
I managed the employees’ internal communication and recruitment for the organization.
Skills
1. Human Resource Management
2. Time Management
3. Research Work
4. Know MS Word, Excel, and Adobe PhotoShop
5. Good with managing clients.
Activities
I’m highly focused and dedicated to any projects that I take up, and that has been the case with my work as well as my academic studies. Also, I work hard to provide premium quality work in the given time.
References
Birendra Sharma, Professor, Amity University
Akash Banerjee, Senior Professor, IIM Ahmedabad
Example of a Resume
One must include basic information in the resume like name, contact information, resume summary, objective statement, employment history, accomplishments, skills, and certifications for the job.
Preeti Sharma
ABCD Area, Connaught Place, New Delhi | 84958xxxxx | Preeti.@email.com
Objective: I aim to work with an organization that could utilize my skills and help me to grow simultaneously.
Education
Degree | College | Date Earned
1. Graduation: Bachelor in English, Kirorimal College Delhi University, 2015
2. Post Graduation: Master’s in Journalism, Asian College of Journalism, 2017
Skills & Abilities
1. Writing
I have written for premiere organizations for more than 4 years and attained more than 200 bylines.
2. Editing
It is one of my core skills. I have edited articles for college magazines as well as for the organizations I worked for.
3. Research
Research is one of the critical skills I have. I use it for writing articles on different subjects.
Experience
1. Sub-Editor| The Hindu | 2017-2019
I edited articles on Education, Art & Culture, and Politics. Also, edited at least 3-4 articles a day while working in this organization.
2. Reporter| The Indian Express | 2019-2021
I have written articles on politics, crime, education, and entertainment. Wrote a minimum of two pieces per day. Their research work included on-ground reporting, attending press conferences, and conducting interviews.
When To Sent a CV
A CV is used for roles that require specific expertise, such as academic or research positions. It provides detailed information about your education, skills, work experience, and accomplishments, making it ideal for jobs in the education sector.
The key difference between CV and resume is the level of detail. A CV offers a comprehensive overview of your career, including academic achievements, while a resume is shorter and focuses on relevant skills and experience for a specific job.
When To Sent a Resume
A resume is sent when you are applying for non-academic or non-research jobs. It is mainly used to apply for government, non-profit, and corporate job openings. A one-page resume provides complete information about the applicant but is much less descriptive. This highlights the difference between CV and resume, as a CV tends to be more detailed. Keep your resume short with all the relevant information, making it easy for the employer to scan your profile and determine if you fit the job description.
Difference Between CV and Resume- The Better Choice
If you are unsure whether to choose a CV or a resume, it’s important to understand their different purposes. A CV provides a comprehensive overview of your entire career, including education and work experience, while a resume offers a summary of your skills, achievements, and work history. Resumes are concise and easy for HR to review quickly, whereas a CV is more detailed and typically used in academic settings to showcase a candidate’s knowledge and expertise in their field. This highlights the key difference between the two: resumes are job-specific and short, while CVs are comprehensive and academic.
Get Your Dream Job
Understanding the difference between CV and resume is crucial when applying for jobs. A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is typically longer, often detailed, and used for academic, research, or education-related positions. It provides a comprehensive overview of your career, including your qualifications, experiences, and publications. On the other hand, a resume is shorter—usually one page—and focuses on relevant skills, work experience, and achievements for corporate, public sector, or non-profit roles.
Before applying, research what the employer expects—whether a CV or resume. Tailor your application accordingly, keeping it clear, concise, and focused on the qualifications the employer seeks. For resumes, using keywords from the job description is essential to stand out.
Ready to take the next step in your job search? Create a standout resume and cover letter with Chegg’s expert tips and guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I use a CV instead of a resume?
Ans. No, both are not interchangeable. A CV includes more information about a person’s education, awards, certifications, and honors. So it is best to apply for academic and research roles with a CV.
On the contrary, it is better to provide a resume than a CV in case of a job hiring. A hiring manager might prefer a shorter document like a resume.
Q2. Which is better – a CV or a resume?
Ans. The main difference between a CV and a resume is that a CV provides a detailed overview of your career, including education and work experience, while a resume offers a concise summary of your relevant work, skills, and achievements. The choice between the two depends on factors like job requirements, industry, and location. Generally, CVs are used for academic, research, or specialized roles, while resumes are shorter and focused on work experience. Understanding the job market you’re targeting will help determine which document best showcases your qualifications.
Q3. Is there any difference between CV and Resume?
Ans. Yes, there are key differences between a CV and a resume. A CV is a detailed document covering your academic and professional background, including research, publications, and teaching experience. In contrast, a resume is a concise summary focused on relevant work experience, skills, and achievements. The choice between the two depends on job requirements, industry standards, and regional preferences.
Q4. When Can I use a CV?
Ans. CVs are more suitable for specialized job tasks that demand an academic background.
Q5. What is the full form of a CV?
Ans. The full form of the CV is the Curriculum Vitae. CV gives an overview of an individual’s academic record, work credentials, and other experiences,
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