Curriculum Vitae vs. Resume: What Are The Differences?

If you’ve ever searched for a job and wondered whether to submit a curriculum vitae (CV) or a resume, you’re not alone. Many people may not even know what CV is short for or why it’s called a “resume.” In this guide, we’ll explore the purpose of each document, when to use one over the other, and what to include.

Documents for Different Markets

Origins of the curriculum vitae and resume

“CV” and “resume” are unique terms used to describe essential job application documents. Beyond being a fun trivia fact, understanding the definition of these words can help clarify the differences between the two.

The concept of these documents emerged in the Middle Ages when artisans would create a summarization of their life’s work and present it to potential employers. One such Renaissance artisan, Leonardo di Vinci, wrote a letter to the Duke of Milan, offering his services with a description of his skills and expertise as an artist. This laid the foundation for job search tools like CVs and resumes.

Regional differences in a resume vs. CV

In the U.S., resumes are the go-to document for most job applications, while CVs are reserved for academic, medical, and research-oriented roles. There’s a difference between these terms in the U.S. that shouldn’t be overlooked. According to career expert Robin Ryan, it’s common for people to misunderstand this difference when determining whether they need a CV vs. a resume.

However, if you venture into the global market and apply for jobs internationally, it’s important to know the terms “CV” and “resume” can be interchangeable. What people in Europe and Asia call a CV often resembles a U.S. resume.

What is a resume?

A resume is a short (one- to three-page) document outlining your qualifications for a job. Resumes are the usual hiring tool for companies and most nonprofits. If you’re looking for a job in either of these sectors, chances are you’ll need a resume. We’ve provided a quick example below, but you can explore our library of resume template examples for more inspiration.

The primary goal of a resume is to provide a snapshot of your professional background, skills, accomplishments, and qualifications. It’s important the information you include in a resume is tailored specifically for the position you’re applying for. In a competitive market, it must stand out by demonstrating how you’re the perfect fit for the job.

Here are the three main characteristics of a resume:

• Brevity: A resume should be concise and targeted, focusing on your most relevant professional information. It should emphasize career achievements and skills that directly align with the job description.

• Customization: While your resume is all about you, make it easily customizable to cater to different employers. Most modern templates are created with this in mind so job seekers can optimize their resume whenever and wherever they need.

• Structure: Resumes include designated sections highlighting things such as work experience, skills, and education. Depending on your experience level and industry, this may also cover things like certifications, volunteer work, affiliations, and hobbies.

What is a curriculum vitae?

In the U.S., a CV is a lengthy job search document used by candidates in science and academia. It’s also common in other fields requiring particular education or credentials, such as aviation, medicine, and law. The CV vs. resume decision will depend heavily on your industry expectations and the role you’re applying for.

Check out this CV example:

The purpose of a CV is to present an in-depth record of your expertise and qualifications, providing a complete portrait of your career and academic journey. Your contributions, dedication to ongoing education, and overall professional development take center stage to present you as a qualified and respected expert in your domain.

Let’s discuss the main qualities of a CV:

• Depth: In the U.S., a CV is an extensive overview of your academic and professional history, often spanning multiple pages. The average resume length is a little more than one page, but a CV isn’t limited to a certain length and often provides much more detail.

• Focus: A resume’s primary focus is your current and past work experience. A CV, however, dives deeper into your educational pursuits, research contributions, and publications. This is particularly important for jobs in academia.

• Evolution: CVs evolve over the years as you gain more experience and education. While a resume is fine tuned and well-tailored to specific positions, a CV acts as a living document to tell the ongoing story of your professional life.

When To Use a Resume vs. CV

Although resumes and CVs both focus on a candidate’s relevant background, they do so in different ways. They don’t each make the same impression on the recruiter or hiring manager. While the resume uses a hard-hitting profile summary of your top selling points, the CV takes a subtler approach, often omitting the profile and letting your credentials speak for themselves.

So, how do you know which one to use for your job search? It’s vital to understand when to use a CV vs. a resume and ensure your application aligns with employer expectations. Let’s explore the best uses for each document.

Resume: best for most job applications

If you’re applying for a position in business, technology, marketing, finance, and any other industry outside of academia and research, a resume will be your go-to document. It’s designed to quickly convey your most relevant skills, experiences, and accomplishments in the field. Making a strong first impression in a fast-paced hiring market is the goal for jobs within:

• Business
• Customer service
• Design
• Finance
• Marketing
• Operations
• Sales
• Technology

Curriculum vitae: essential for academic, medical, and research positions

In the U.S., you’ll need a CV for fields that have specific educational and professional requirements. Your CV should provide an exhaustive account of things like your academic background, research, teaching experience, and professional affiliations. Positions that often require a CV instead of a resume include:

• Clinical researcher
• Laboratory director
• Legal scholar
• Medical doctor
• Policy analyst
• Professor
• Psychologist
• Scientific consultant

What To Include in a Resume

The following sections make up the foundation of any well-rounded resume or CV for that matter. Once we’ve covered the basics of what to include in a resume, we’ll explore additional sections commonly found in a CV. Understanding these differences will help you make the right choice when deciding on a resume vs. CV for your job application.

The main components of a resume include:

1. Your name and contact information
2. Profile summary of your key strengths
3. Recent professional, volunteer, and internship experience
4. Key skills, languages, and areas of expertise
5. Education and certifications

1. Your name and contact information

Your contact information should be displayed prominently at the top of your resume. Include your full name, phone number, an email address, and the URL for your LinkedIn profile. Ensure these details are up-to-date and professional so potential employers can reach you to set up an interview or ask you further questions.

2. Profile summary of your key strengths

The first paragraph of a resume should provide a brief summary of your professional brand and answer who you are, what you’re known for, and what makes you most qualified for the job. If you’re early in your career, consider using an objective statement instead of a profile, focusing on how your goals and strengths align with the company’s needs.

3. Recent professional, volunteer, and internship experience

Most resumes are centered around a professional experience section that lists your employment history in reverse chronological order. Each job is described using bullet points to outline past responsibilities and achievements. If you have volunteer, internship, or another type of experience, you can create a separate but similar section for those positions.

4. Key skills, languages and areas of expertise

If you’d like to list core technical skills and interpersonal abilities, your resume should feature a key skills list. This curated collection of bullet points makes it easy for hiring managers to capture your top qualifications. The best skills lists are aligned with the job description to demonstrate that you meet the job’s skill requirements.

5. Education and certifications

Resumes often have a very simple education section listing your most recent degree, the school’s name, and your graduation date. For entry-level professionals and recent graduates, you can include extra details like your GPA (if it’s 3.5 or higher), honors, and relevant coursework. If you have special certifications related to the job, create a separate section to feature those as well.

Resume Template Example

What To Include in a Curriculum Vitae

Beyond the basic resume elements mentioned above, you can expect to add on a few more specialized sections for a CV. Depending on your field, this could be scientific research, awards, grants, lecturing experience, and professional affiliations. These additional sections define the major differences in the CV vs. resume debate.

Let’s look at the unique information covered in a CV:

1. Research
2. Publications and presentations
3. Grants, fellowships, scholarships, and awards
4. Professional memberships
5. Internships and other relevant experience

1. Research

Research is often a core component for professionals in academia. Related sections provide a detailed overview of your research endeavors, including positions, academic projects, methodologies, and contributions. This information can be set up like the professional experience section of a resume, with a focus on the outcomes and findings of your research.

2. Publications and presentations

If you’ve been published as an author or co-author in books, journals, conference proceedings, or online publications, create chronological citations for each contribution. Likewise, you can create a section to highlight public speaking engagements such as keynote presentations, seminars, and workshops to establish your credibility as a subject matter expert.

3. Grants, fellowships, scholarships, and awards

A CV is the perfect place to list your success in securing funding and recognition within your field. Your ability to attract resources and awards is highly valued in academic and research settings that depend on external support.

Feature prestigious fellowships and scholarships that support your career, and list awards or honors recognizing your excellence in research or teaching. Provide details on any grants you’ve earned starting with the grant title, funding organization, amount, timeframe, and purpose or project funded.

4. Professional memberships

To demonstrate engagement with your field, include your involvement with professional organizations like academic societies and industry groups. Listing these on your CV shows a willingness to contribute to the professional community in service to committees or boards. Stick with memberships directly related to your field or area of expertise and highlight leadership roles.

5. Internships and other relevant experience

Other relevant experiences such as internships or volunteer work are all valuable additions to your CV. These activities demonstrate practical and technical skills that may not be covered in other sections. Include experiences that complement your academic background and have helped you develop relevant skills and hands-on experience.

Curriculum Vitae Template Example

Choosing the Right Document for Your Job Search

Knowing when to use a CV vs. a resume is key to crafting the perfect job application. Whether you’re applying for a corporate role in the U.S., a creative position abroad, or a medical residency program, using the right document will help you make a strong impression on employers.

Now that you understand the difference between a resume and a CV, you can make an informed decision on which document to use for your job search. For more CV and resume inspiration, visit our examples library for a collection of templates spanning industries and experience levels.

Frequently Asked Questions: Curriculum Vitae vs. Resume