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CV vs Resume: What are the Key Differences

CV vs Resume: What are the Key Differences

 There has always been some confusion between a CV and a Resume to many. To clarify your doubts about the two, this short article on "CV vs Resume: What Are the Key Differences" is all you will need to read.

Is a Resume another name for a CV and vice versa? If they are not the same, then what is different about the two documents? Ask no further questions. Just keep reading this article to find out more.

What is a CV

In English, a curriculum vitae is a short written summary of a person's career, qualifications, and education. This is the most common usage in both North American and British English. In North America, the term résumé is a common synonym for CV in the sense of a short career summary.

That said, a CV is mostly made mention of when we are dealing with academics. Meaning it is is an in-depth document that describes the whole course of your career in full detail. It’s usually two- or three-page long but can just as well be laid out over 10+ pages, if necessary. 

A Curriculum Vitae contains details about your education, professional career, publications, awards, honours, and other achievements. In the USA and Canada, a CV is used only for academic applications: academic jobs, grants, research fellowships, etc.

What is a ResumeWhat to Include in a CV:

  • Contact Information
  • Research Objective, Personal Profile, or Personal Statement
  • Education
  • Professional Academic Appointments
  • Books
  • Book Chapters
  • Peer-Reviewed Publications
  • Other Publications
  • Awards and Honors
  • Grants and Fellowships
  • Conferences
  • Teaching Experience
  • Research Experience / Lab Experience / Graduate Fieldwork
  • Non-Academic Activities
  • Languages and Skills
  • Memberships
  • References

A Resume

A résumé sometimes spelt resume, called a CV in English outside North America, is a document created and used by a person to present their background, skills, and accomplishments. Résumés can be used for a variety of reasons, but most often they are used to secure new employment.

That is a  resume provides a summary of your education, work history, credentials, and other accomplishments and skills. There are also optional sections, including a resume objective and a career summary statement.

What to Include on a Resume:

  1. Contact Information including Job Title
  2. Resume Summary or Resume Objective
  3. Work Experience
  4. Education
  5. Skills
  6. Additional Sections (Awards, Courses, Resume Publications, Licenses and Certifications, Interests, etc.)

CV vs Resume: What Are the Key Differences

  • CVs include extensive information on your academic background, including teaching experience, degrees, research, awards, publications, presentations, and other achievements. Whereas, Resumes are the most common document requested of applicants in job applications.
  • A CV emphasizes academic accomplishments While a Resume on Skills
  • The length of one's CV will depend upon experience and includes a complete list of publications, posters, and presentations. On the other hand, with a Resume, it is not usually more than 1-3 pages with an additional page for publications and/or poster presentations if highly relevant to the job