Differences between a CV and a Resume

Differences between a CV and a Resume

One of the important documents related to job application is the candidate’s resume or curriculum vitae (CV). Having these documents on-hand is useful whether one is a newly graduate seeking a job or an experienced professional seeking advancement, promotion, or career change. However, the choice to use a CV or a resume varies and depends on certain factors.  This is why it is important to distinguish the difference between the two. Here are some key features to consider:

CVs and Resumes

A CV is used by professionals to showcase their experiences along with respective capabilities and skills. This document is often two pages long and focuses on achievements as well as personal career progression through the years. The format used is chronological and tries to outline all positions held throughout the person’s working years.

A resume, on the other hand, is a short, concise document that focuses on providing information about a person’s professional experience and qualifications. All important data are included in one page and aims to stand out. Resumes are also flexible when it comes to formatting as one can pattern skills and experiences. Candidates can also customize the look of the document and its contents as they see fit.

Key Differences

One of the key differences between CV and resumes is length. A CV requires more detail and can go beyond two pages while a resume is a document that should be concise and brief. Another important distinction between the two is the purpose. A resume’s purpose is to provide an opportunity to stand out among competition and can thus be tailored to meet the requirements of the vacant position. CV, on the other hand, is more static and the candidate can only make the necessary modifications in the cover letter. Lastly, there is also a difference in layout. A CV formatting is fixed while resumes offer flexibility for the candidate to design according to specific preferences.

Location and Use

Distinctions between a resume and CV are also evident based on its location and use. This means different countries show preferences in each document. For example, resumes are documents widely accepted in the United States and Canada. CV is only used if the job or position is in the academe or research-oriented organization. CV is only used in countries like the UK and New Zealand. Similarly, a specific format for a CV is available in the European Union. There are also countries that allow resumes and CVs to be used interchangeably. These countries are Australia, South Africa, and India.

Given these points, a CV and a resume share a commonality in the ability to present a document that highlights professional experiences, skills, and capabilities. The main differences mentioned above indicate that candidates can have the flexibility to determine what document can best meet their needs and highlight their qualification.  Also, identifying the job location can also determine which type of document to use and how information would be utilized in a clear and effective manner.