They're both documents that encapsulate your career and work information however what they differ in is format and content. This difference however is only applicable in the US and Canada. In Europe, Australia and New Zealand, resume and CV mean the same thing.
With this in mind, let's get right into the key differences:
| Resume | CV |
|---|---|
| Resumes are commonly submitted for roles in corporate sectors, government, and non-profit organizations. | CVs are often required when applying for academic positions, research roles, or when seeking fellowships and grants. |
| Emphasizes relevant skills, competencies, and professional achievements tailored to the job you're applying for. | CVs emphasize scholarly accomplishments, such as publications, research, teaching experience, and academic honours. |
| Resumes are structured in a flexible format—chronological, functional, or a mix of both—to best present qualifications. | CVs follow a more open structure and can vary widely depending on the field or institution's requirements. |
| Resumes are concise and rarely exceed two pages. An extra page may be added if publications or presentations are highly relevant. | Unlike resumes, CVs can be much longer, often spanning several pages, detailing a full history of publications, presentations, and relevant experience. |
| The resume includes specific sections such as work experience, education, and skills, aligned with the job's needs. | The structure of a CV is more fluid, with sections tailored to specific academic or research roles, covering aspects such as teaching, publications, grants, and more. |
The History and Importance of CVs
In Latin, it loosely means 'the course of one's life', the concept of which was supposedly coined by Leonardo Da Vinci in 1482!
Allegedly, Da Vinci, in his pursuit of work, wrote a list of his skills and experiences and sent them to the Duke of Milan. In the letter he offered his services in designing structures such as bridges, sculptures and boats. Although, of course, Da Vinci was known for his artistic contributions to society, the content of the letter was said to have paid particular attention to skills that aligned most closely with that of the Dukes wishes. Da Vinci's letter was the first example of how we prioritise accomplishments of note in the context of our audience, and thus Da Vinci was credited as the first ever to write a CV as we know it.
Here is the general format and structure of a CV that you should follow:
- Your contact information
- Your work experience
- Your education
- Your publications and awards
- Your academic qualifications
- Your non-academic activities
- Your personal qualities and skills
- Your language skills
- Your references
The word "resume" originates from the French term résumé, meaning 'summary'. Similar to an English CV, a resume is a 1-2 page document that offers recruiters and employers a brief snapshot of your work experience, education, and skills. As a marketing tool, it focuses only on the most relevant skills and experiences for the job.
Typically, a resume includes the following sections:
- Contact details
- Personal profile/summary or objective
- Work experience
- Education
- Skills
- Training/courses or professional affiliations
You can also add additional sections, such as volunteering, hobbies, and interests, to further demonstrate your skills.
The resume format is flexible, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your background and the job you're targeting:
- Chronological: in order of dates
- Functional: focused on skills
- Combination/Hybrid: a mix of both formats