CV Vs Resume: What Is The Difference?

Have you ever encountered a job vacancy where companies requested a CV while others requested a resume? People usually didn’t think much about it and just sent the document they have thinking both are the same, maybe just a different word. The thing is, both are similar but definitely not the same.

There are some key differences between a CV and a resume and when a company asks for one of them, it actually means one of them, not any document you have. 

So, today we will tell you what a CV and a resume are, the key difference and you should check which one you have and have been sending to companies.

What Is A CV?

CV is an abbreviation of the Latin word Curriculum Vitae, which means “the course of your life”.

A CV can be described as a very detailed and deep document, it has all your career details step-by-step. There is no certain amount of pages a CV is supposed to have as it includes all your achievements, job titles, certificates you own, and courses you took. Your CV also needs to be constantly updated whenever you achieve something new. 

This means that if you have a new job then put it in your CV or if you published academic research, it also should be put there. 

So, to sum up, your CV includes everything you have ever done. 

What Is A Resume?

A resume is a French word that means “to sum up” and sums up what resumes are used for.

Unlike a CV, a resume should be short and straight to the point, in fact, it is recommended that a resume should be 1 page only. A resume is created to provide the employer with a brief overview of your work history, It highlights specific important achievements in your previous work and it also should include your skills that are useful to the job you’re applying for. 

Key Differences Between CV and Resume

As much as CV and Resume are similar, both have some key differences in how they are formatted. 

1- Photos

CVs can have photos and it also depends on your profession if it needs a photo to be attached to your CV or not. 

A resume on the other hand shouldn’t include a photo. 

2-The Work History

A CV includes all your work history including your job titles and achievements and it can’t be changed.

A resume can be created for each job application to highlight the most relevant experience and skills for this job.

3- Number of Pages

A CV can range from 2 to 8 pages depending on the amount of experience.

A resume should only be one page or a maximum of two, not more than that. 

4- Sectors

A CV can be used for applying for academic positions, fellowships, or advanced research. 

A Resume can be used for applying for jobs or internships. 

5- Personal Information

A CV has your education at the beginning.

A resume has your education right after your experience.

What To Include On Your CV

You have to know that there are some things to include on your CV but not on your resume and vice versa. 

1. Contact Information
2. Personal Profile, or Personal Statement
3. Education
4. Professional Academic Appointments
5. Peer-Reviewed Publications
6. Other Publications
7. Awards and Honors
8. Grants and Fellowships
9. Non-Academic Activities
10. Languages and Skills
11. References

What To Include On Your Resume

Your information has to be short and straight to the point.

1. Contact Information including Job Title
2. Resume Objective
3. Work Experience
4. Education
5. Skills
6. Additional Details (Awards, Courses, Certifications, and Interests)

So, it is better to have both with you so you can send the required document to the company as some companies are actually strict when it comes to the requirements, and some even state that they want resumes, not CVs.